European сountries сommit to іupporting Ukraine цithin the FOREST EUROPE process

During the 10th FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference, representatives of European countries signed the Stockholm Ministerial Declaration, which includes commitments to support Ukraine. The wording of this provision was proposed by the Ukrainian side and subsequently endorsed by European partners. This was announced by the Head of the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine, Viktor Smal.

In particular, the signatories of the FOREST EUROPE process committed themselves to making efforts to ensure the sustainable management of Ukraine’s forests and to support the recovery of its forestry sector during Russia’s aggression and in the post-war period. These commitments envisage coordinated actions within the framework of long-term bilateral and multilateral cooperation and assistance.

The Declaration also includes a commitment by European partners to consider facilitating the establishment of a Forest Friends for Ukraine working group under Ukraine’s leadership. The group is expected to develop and coordinate the measures necessary to support Ukraine’s forestry sector, while also inviting observers and partners to contribute to this work.

«The Stockholm Ministerial Declaration is the key outcome of the Ministerial Conference. It sets the direction for future cooperation among the FOREST EUROPE signatories and outlines shared policy priorities. It is particularly important that this document contains a clear commitment to support Ukraine. We worked for a long time to ensure that this provision was explicitly included, and we have achieved that result», - said Viktor Smal.

The FOREST EUROPE Ministerial Conference is a high-level meeting that brings together ministers and heads of specialized forestry agencies from across Europe. Overall, the FOREST EUROPE process unites 44 European countries and the European Union in cooperation on sustainable forest management and forestry policy.