Currently the forest-related debate is strong and quite polarized within the EU. There is a need for a balancing and holistic view regarding forest discussions. As a response to this, we as regions are offering the voice from the various stakeholders to these discussions in a form of an online seminar. The seminar offers a space where the EU’s forest-related initiatives could be discussed in a holistic manner, namely the EU Forest Strategy for 2030, the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the European Climate Law, the EU Fit for 55 package, the EU nature restoration law among others.

Besides regions themselves, also representatives from the European Parliament, the European Commission as well as the Committee of the
Regions would join to the discussion.

The event is also an opportunity for the ERIAFF Forested Regions Network to introduce its new positioning regarding the EU’s forest-related initiatives.

Join us to the fruitful forest discussion!

Programme:

Introduction and welcome by Moderator

Tiia Talvisara, Senior Advisor, East & North Finland EU Office

Opening words on the behalf of Forested Regions

Risto Poutiainen, Deputy Region Mayor of North Karelia

The role of the regions

Joan Calabuig Rull, Member of the CoR, Regional Secretary for the European Union and External Relations of the Government of Valencia
Luca Menesini, Member of the CoR, Mayor of the City of Capannori, President of Lucca Province
Åsa Ågren Wikström, Alternate member of the CoR, Vice President Regional Development Board, Region Västerbotten

Scientific point of view

Sari Koivula, Forest and Climate Expert, Regional Council of North Karelia
Elisabeth Pötzelsberger, Head of Resilience Programme, European Forest Institute
Thomas Haußmann, Head of the Liaison Unit Bonn, Forest Europe

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

Simo Tiainen, Rapporteur of the EESC opinion on New EU Forest Strategy for 2030

Reflections by European Parliament, Council of the European Union and European Commission

Ulrike Müller, Member of the European Parliament, Renew Europe Group
Humberto Delgado Rosa, Director of Biodiversity, DG ENV, European Commission

Panel discussion

Closing remarks

Juan Carlos Suárez-Quiñones, Regional Minister for the Environment and Development
the regional government of Castilla y León