On 25 June 2025, forest sector representatives gathered at the European Forestry House in Brussels for a roundtable on Forests and Forest Value Chains for Europe’s Future. Organised by the Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF), the European State Forest Association (EUSTAFOR), the Union of European Foresters (UEF) and the European Federation of Community Forests (FECOF), the event brought together policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders to examine how Europe's forests can remain resilient in the face of growing environmental and climate challenges.
The discussion focused on the increasing pressures affecting European forests, including droughts, storms, pests and wildfires, and explored how sustainable forest management and resilient forest-based value chains can support climate adaptation, biodiversity and the transition towards a sustainable bioeconomy.
Tomasz Markiewicz (UEF) opened the discussion by underlining the role of forests as living systems under increasing pressure, but also as a foundation for climate adaptation and the supply of renewable materials. Bart Muys (KU Leuven) then looked ahead to how forests and forest value chains may evolve, pointing to the importance of adaptive management and more diverse forest structures to strengthen long-term resilience.
The session also included examples from practice and policy. Ratko Matošević (Hrvatske šume) shared how adaptive approaches are being applied in Croatia, while Silvia Melegari (EOS & CEI-Bois) stressed that resilience must be built across the full forest-based value chain, from forest management to final products. Adrian Tišťan (European Commission, DG Environment) presented current EU efforts on wildfire risk management and its links with wider environmental policy.
The discussion reaffirmed the shared commitment of forest owners, managers, industry representatives and policymakers to promoting active and sustainable forest management. Participants highlighted that building resilient forests requires long-term investment, innovation and close cooperation across the forest sector.
The roundtable forms part of the continued dialogue between European forest stakeholders and EU institutions on the future of forests and forest-based value chains. As climate and environmental challenges continue to evolve, strengthening cooperation across the sector remains essential to ensuring that Europe's forests continue to provide environmental, economic and social benefits for future generations.
