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CPF Directory > Regional conventions and intergovernmental organizations > Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe

Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE)

Name:	Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe
Abbreviation:	MCPFE
URL to homepage:	http://www.mcpfe.org/
Country:	Poland

Mandate

The Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe is an ongoing initiative for co-operation between approximately 40 European countries to address common threats and opportunities related to forests and forestry.

The signatory states and the European Community are responsible for the national and regional implementation of the decisions taken at the conferences. Discussion and work between the conferences is called the Pan-European Process.

First Ministerial Conference

• discussed cross-border protection of European forests
• signed 6 resolutions and committed themselves to technical and scientific co-operation and common measures for the protection of European forests

Second Ministerial Conference

• international debate on forests continued bringing together the countries and their respective ministries as well as the private sector, international forest community and environmental NGOs
• 37 states and the EC signed 4 resolutions and they: agreed upon a common definition of 'sustainable forest management'; emphasized biodiversity; decided on increased co-operation with countries with economies in transition; and initiated strategies regarding climate change

Third Ministerial Conference

• 36 states and the EC signed a general declaration which emphasizes the importance of strengthening an effective partnership between the forest sector and society
• they also signed 2 resolutions which deal with: 1) the socio-economic aspects of sustainable forest management and 2) pan-European criteria and indicators and operational guidelines
• co-operation with the Ministerial Process "Environment for Europe" was established with the endorsement of a pan-European Work Programme on the Conservation and Enhancement of Biological and Landscape Diversity in Forest Ecosystems 1997-2000

Fourth Ministerial Conference

• Ministers from 41 European countries, a representative of the European Community, representatives of 4 non-European countries and 24 international organisations gathered at the Fourth Ministerial Conference in April 2003 in Vienna
• 40 states and the EC signed the Vienna Declaration and adopted five Resolutions; the Declaration highlights the roles of forests in relation to rural livelihood and urban societies, addresses the significance of strong partnerships between the forest sector and other sectors and underlines the importance to tackle global challenges
• The Resolutions focused on cross-sectoral co-operation and national forest programmes, economic viability of sustainable forest management, social and cultural aspects, forest biological diversity as well as forests and climate change.

Relevance to forests by key words

Biodiversity, biological diversity, conservation, climate change, criteria and indicators, protected areas, sustainable management, policy coordination, harmonization, rural development, sustainable forest management