From May 13 to 15, 2025, Warsaw hosted simultaneously the gathering of EU Nature and Forest Directors under the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
The events brought together senior experts from EU Member States, the European Commission, and key stakeholders to discuss pressing issues in forest and nature conservation.
EU Forest Directors’ meeting
After a gala Dinner on the first evening, the main theme of the Forest Directors' Meeting was “Forest Resilience: Working to strengthen forest resilience through biodiversity conservation—opportunities and challenges.” Discussions centered on enhancing forest resilience through biodiversity conservation, addressing the challenges and opportunities associated with this approach.
Ms. Fanny-Pomme Langue, CEPF Secretary General, took part in this meeting and gave a statement stressing the importance of active sustainable forest management for biodiversity protection and resilience.
Participants visited the Natolin Forest and Chojnów Forest District, areas known for their biodiversity and forest adaptation to climate change
EU Nature Directors’ meeting
After nature walks in Warsaw on the first evening, the first day of the the Nature Directors' Meeting had as main theme “Implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation.” Discussions were organised around two workshop session, first on the biggest challenges and successes, and second on organisation of the preparation process of National Restoration Plans.
Ms. Hélène Koch, CEPF Senior Policy Advisor, took part in this meeting and gave one of the opening statements of the first workshop. She stressed the need for adequate finance and sufficient time allocated to preparation of the national restoration plans in order to address the complexities of the implementation of the regulation.
Participants visited the Kampinos National Park, a protected area with unusual mosaic of landscapes – inland dunes, swamps, forests, meadows and rushes – just at the border of Warsaw.
Joint Session on the EU Nature Restoration Regulation
On the second day of both meeting, a joint session between Nature and Forest Directors was held at the National Stadium in Warsaw. Two moderated panels discussed on the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, for urban and forest ecosystems.
