Roundtable on Resilient Forests and Forest Value Chains for Europe’s Future

On 25 June 2026, 38 representatives of forest management organisations, industry experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders gathered at the European Forestry House in Brussels to discuss the growing impacts of climate change on European forests and the future of the forest-based value chain.

The meeting highlighted the essential role of forests in climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and supporting rural communities. Participants emphasised that increasing climate-related threats, including droughts, storms, and pests, make active and adaptive forest management increasingly important.

During the opening remarks, Mr. Tomasz Markiewicz stressed the need for long-term forest resilience, supported by professional expertise, practical experience, and cooperation among policymakers, scientists, and forest managers. The discussion also addressed the growing societal expectations placed on forests, particularly in relation to climate mitigation, biodiversity, and the bioeconomy.

Prof. Bart Mays of KU Leuven presented scientific trends concerning the adaptive capacity of European forests and their implications for the future of the forest value chain. Operational experiences were shared by Hrvatske šume d.o.o., while Ms. Silvia Melegari (EOS – CEI-Bois) and representatives of the European Commission contributed industry perspectives and policy insights.

The meeting concluded with an open discussion that reinforced the importance of collaborative, cross-sectoral action to strengthen forest resilience and ensure the sustainable, multifunctional role of European forests. Mr. Juha S. Niemelä of EUSTAFOR delivered the closing remarks, summarising the presentations and discussions.

Overall, the roundtable provided a valuable platform for dialogue between forestry practitioners, industry representatives, scientists, and policymakers, highlighting the need to align forest management practices, scientific knowledge, and European policies to safeguard forests and forest-based value chains for future generations.

• The Role of Forests and Forestry Sector in the future EU Bioeconomy
• Forest-related reporting at the EU level – what we know and what’s missing
• How to restore the Forestry NGO influence in EU policy work in forestry.
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