5th MCPFE Conference: Warsaw - Centre for Dialogue on European Forests.

WARSAW, Poland -- 16 ministers responsible for forests and forestry, delegations from over 40 European states, the European Commission and delegates from organizations and international institutions are participating in the 5(th) Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, which began on Monday in Warsaw. The main objective of this two-day conference is to assure that Europe's forests remain to be managed sustainably and benefit everybody to the best of their potential.

The Warsaw Conference "Forests for Quality of Life" was opened by Lech Kaczynski, the President of Poland. Reconciliation of two important issues: economic development and protection of natural environment was emphasized in the opening address.

The Co-chair of the meeting, Prof. Jan Szyszko, the Minister of Environment of Poland, pointed out the role of forests in the development of the European society. He also marked that these issues constitute a base of the ministerial commitments to be signed during the Conference. ,,Forests can improve the quality of our life through their contribution in mitigating climate change, water resources protection, and as a provider of the biomass for energy purposes" - the Minister said. - ,,Especially at present, when after decades of decline and concerns about the state of our forests, good government policies and positive management have returned healthier and abundant forests".

According to the Report on State of Europe's Forests 2007 presented at the Conference, both the area of forests and their productive potential are increasing.

Terje Riis-Johansen, Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food, said at the press conference that participants of this meeting want to establish the most effective strategy that will increase the use of forest biomass for renewable energy and for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Jose Luis Herranz Saez, representative of Spain, spoke about the significant role of forests in the mitigation of floods desertification and soil erosion. He emphasized the importance of co-ordination of forest and water policy and management practices. Gerhard Mannberger from Austria drew attention to the role of MCPFE in harmonizing the understanding on forest management in Europe, but also underlined that mission is not accomplished and Europe should be ready to establish a stronger international forest regime.

The MCPFE Conference is the first political meeting of such significance in the history of the Polish forestry.