European forest ministers: Sustainable forest management must be strengthened and Ukraine’s recovery supported

In their declaration, the European ministers responsible for forests committed to strengthening the role of sustainable forest management in safeguarding the future of Europe’s forests amid rapidly changing environmental, economic, social and geopolitical conditions. In addition, at their meeting in Stockholm on 2–3 June 2026, the ministers reaffirmed their support for the recovery and sustainable management of Ukraine’s forests and the rebuilding of its forest sector. Finland was represented by Jonas Liimatta, Head of Natural Resources Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

FOREST EUROPE, the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, is a Pan-European voluntary high-level forest policy process. The ministerial conference and the work carried out in connection with it have played a significant role in defining and developing sustainable forest management. This work has included the Criteria and Indicators and the State of Europe’s Forests report. 

In their declaration, European forest ministers renewed their support for sustainable forest management and for efforts to develop it in response to the growing challenges facing Europe’s forests. These include, in particular, climate change and the resulting increase in the risk of forest damage, as well as geopolitical uncertainties. The declaration highlights the role of forests, particularly in climate action, the economy, the security of resource availability and the promotion of wellbeing.

Forests also important for crisis resilience, security of supply and wider security