FORESTS FOR QUALITY OF LIFE – NEW COMMITMENTS OF MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR FORESTS IN EUROPE

Warsaw, 6 Nov, - The Ministerial Declaration and two Resolutions concluded the 5th Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe held in Warsaw. The commitments on promotion of wood as renewable energy carrier and the role of forest in water protection in the context of climate change were adopted by 38 MCPFE signatories for the implementation at a national level.

In the main document of the Conference - Warsaw Declaration, countries commit themselves to common activities towards further implementation of sustainable forest management as an indispensable element of sustainable development. The Declaration presents a meaningful role of forests in improving the living standards on our planet and a long-term vision of the future of forests in Europe. Furthermore, it indicates the position of the MCPFE as regional process for contribution in relevant international initiatives on forests.

Given the inevitable consequences of climate change, the ministers adopted two Warsaw Resolutions. Warsaw Resolution 1 “Forests, wood and energy” obliges states to increase a role of the forest sector in energy production, and the use of forest biomass for renewable energy and for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions as well as to enhance public and private partnership of forest owners, wood industry and energy producers. At the same time, countries declare to undertake actions towards mobilizing forest resources in the cross-sectoral perspective.

Warsaw Resolution 2: „Forest and water”, draws attention to water resources and stresses the role of forests in protecting the quality and quantity of water, preventing floods, mitigating the effects of draught and counteracting soil erosion.

Additionally, two Ministerial Statements on forest fires in South Europe and an initiative on Pan-European Forest Week in 2008 were adopted by acclamation.

“I am particularly satisfied to notice that the main theses of the Warsaw documents focus on the problem of climate change and the need to counter these changes, inter alia through activities aimed at promoting the use of wood as an ecological and natural energy carrier and as a raw material in other industry branches” – said Prof. Jan Szyszko, the Minister of Environment of Poland. On closing of the Conference, Polish minister emphasized the role of the Ministerial Process of Forest Protection in constant and sustainable forest management in Europe.

For information please contact:

Marta Gaworska
MCPFE Liaison Unit
Mob.: + 48 695 790 204
e-mail:
www.mcpfe.org