European Forest Week in Engelberg with 300 international experts
Bern, 19.10.2015 - Around 300 international forest experts will convene for European Forest Week in Engelberg at the beginning of November. Their debates will focus on the economic, ecological and social aspects of forest management. The visiting experts will also participate in excursions to Swiss forests where they will have an opportunity to observe forestry practice.
European Forest Week will be launched by Federal Counsellor Doris Leuthard on 2 November 2015. Forest Week usually takes place every two years and the forest bodies of the UNECE (United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Geneva) and the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization, Rome) hold their joint meeting as part of the event. At these meetings, international experts exchange views and advice on solutions to the challenges facing forests and the timber industry.
Around 300 international representatives from politics, administration, science, business and environmental organisations are expected to attend the Silva 2015 event in Engelberg this year. The event is organised by the UNECE's Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry, (COFFI, under the chair of Switzerland) and the FAO's European Forestry Commission (EFC).
What is the value of healthy forests?
Switzerland is committed to the promotion of sustainable and close-to-nature forest management at international level. Healthy forests contribute to the well-being of society: they provide protection against natural hazards, supply clean drinking-water, fresh air and the natural raw material wood, and also act as a recreational space and habitat.
The topics for discussion in Engelberg are:
- the long-term maintenance of the economic, ecological and social values of sustainable forest management;
- forest maintenance in the context of climate change;
- the contribution of forests to a greener economy; and
- financing mechanisms for the various services provided by forests.
Recommendations for the Member States of the UNECE/FAO will be formulated as the result of the four-day meeting. These recommendations will target the conservation and valorisation of all forest services in the UNECE region, that is in Europe, Russia, Central Asia, the Caucasus and North America.
‘Show and tell' in the Swiss forest
On the fifth day of the meeting, the topics of the presentations and debates will be explored during several excursions organised by the cantonal forestry authority and discussed using examples from forestry practice. The links between the protective forest, risk and water management and between forest maintenance and the use of wood as a construction material and for energy generation will be demonstrated. It is also planned to show how biodiversity is being promoted in Swiss forests.
Note regarding participation in the excursions by members of the media
Members of the media are invited to participate in the excursions that will take place around Engelberg on 6 November 2015. The tours will offer an opportunity to see what sustainable forest management means in practice and to become acquainted with the international perspective.
To participate in the excursions, it is necessary to register with the UNECE via the following link: http://www.unece.org/forests/silva2015-engelberg.html#/
If you have any questions, please contact the Media Section, FOEN, tel.+41 (0) 58 462 90 00
BOX:
European Forest Ministers' conference in Madrid
The 7th Forest Europe Ministerial Conference will take place on 20 and 21 October 2015 in Madrid. The Swiss delegation will be led by Bruno Oberle, Director of the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN. The aim of the conference is to strengthen pan-European cooperation on sustainable forest management. Representatives of 46 countries will discuss shared guidelines and their implementation throughout Europe and pass two resolutions on this topic.
Address for enquiries
Media Section
Telephone: +41 58 462 90 00
E-mail: medien@bafu.admin.ch
Publisher
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en
