This is the second time the experts meet in Madrid since the Spanish Co-chairmanship of the Ministerial Conference on Protection of Forest in Europe started.

During two days, more than 50 attendees from 24 signatory countries, plus de European Union and 12 international observer organizations, such as environmental and social NGOs, forest owners’ federations, unions, forestry industry and scientific community, discussed the progress made on the Work Program approved last year in Madrid.  They reviewed the on-going work on Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and its tool, the monitoring and reporting activities carried out with other forestry regional processes, a workshop on governance and forest law enforcement, the kick-off meeting on valuation of ecosystem services, considerations of the activities related to SFM in a green economy, as well as international activities and cooperation with other organizations. These voluntary actions are the direct result of the implementation of the Oslo Ministerial Decision European Forests 2020 and other prior ministerial resolutions.

Among other issues, the experts were updated on the progress made in the INC, which has the mandate to develop a Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe. The negotiations should produce the text by the end of June.

On Thursday, Mr. José María Solano, the Spanish representative, presented a summary on the preparations for the Extraordinary Ministerial Conference to be held within six months of the conclusion of the work of the INC, for the consideration of its results and possible adoption, and opening for signature. The Government of Spain will hold the Extraordinary Conference in Madrid, most likely at the beginning of November (dates to be confirmed).

The attendees were also informed of a Communication proposal to support the Extraordinary Ministerial Conference.