European Forest Ministers meet in Vienna

The Ministerial Conferences on forest protection and sustainable forestry have been highly significant for Europe. Previous Conferences were held in Strasbourg in 1990, Helsinki 1993 and Lisbon 1998. In his speech the Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Juha Korkeaoja stressed the need for Pan-European cooperation. “It is important that Europe has taken the initiative and agreed on common principles for sustainable forestry. Finland applies these principles under the National Forest Programme.” In the Vienna Declaration the countries commit to continue the work on sustainable development, e.g. by promoting employment in the rural areas through viable forestry, protection of forest biodiversity and increasing the rational use of wood.

Thefirst Resolution emphasises the role of national forest programmes in the development of the forest sector and cross-sectoral cooperation. The Conference approved 10 main principles for the preparation and implementation of the national forest programmes.

The second Resolution points out that economic viability lays the foundation for the preservation of the multiple values of forests.

The third Resolution is largely based on the Finnish initiative and preparations. It stresses the social and cultural values of forests and incorporation of these in the national forest programmes and other significant action programmes.

The fourth Resolution makes a commitment to implement the obligations relating to the forest biological diversity in a coordinated way in Europe, prevent illegal felling and increase research in forest biodiversity. The Forest Biodiversity Programme for Southern Finland METSO is already looking for answers to meet these obligations.

In the fifth Resolution the countries give a commitment to control the climate change by promoting the role of forests as carbon sinks and increasing the use of wood instead of unrenewable natural resources.

After Vienna the series of the Ministerial Conferences continues in Poland and Norway.

Further information:

Mr Aarne Reunala, Director-General, tel. +358-9-160 53350, 0400-437222

Mr Anders Portin, Counsellor of Forestry, tel. +358-9-160 52418, 040-5866179

Ms Marjukka Mähönen, Senior Officer, tel. +358-9-160 54626

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry

> http://www.minconf-forests.net/