On 1 July 2026, Ireland assumed the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, taking over from Cyprus for the next six months. Under the motto "Ní neart go cur le chéile – Strength with unity", the Irish Presidency has set out a programme centred on three interconnected priorities: competitiveness, values and security. These priorities will guide the Council's work during a period marked by geopolitical uncertainty, economic transformation and preparations for the Union's next long-term budget.
A key objective of the Presidency will be to facilitate negotiations on the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), which Ireland identifies as an overarching priority. The Presidency aims to support timely agreement on a financial framework that enables the European Union to address future challenges while continuing to provide support for key policies, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and Cohesion Policy.
For the forest sector, discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy will be of particular relevance, given their importance for the future financing of policies affecting rural areas and forests.
Strengthening Europe's competitiveness is another central pillar of the Irish Presidency. Building on the One Europe, One Market Roadmap, the Presidency will seek to advance measures to improve productivity, promote innovation, simplify legislation, strengthen the Single Market and reinforce the EU's economic resilience. Particular emphasis is placed on reducing unnecessary administrative burdens while maintaining effective regulation, thereby supporting a more competitive European economy.
These priorities are closely linked to the need to streamline the contribution of sustainable forest management to the forest-based bioeconomy.. as week as the forest sector contribution to the broader objective of strengthening Europe's resilience and strategic autonomy.
During the second half of 2026, discussions are also expected to continue on several policy initiatives of relevance to the forest sector, including the future CAP, the post 2030 EU climate framework, the simplification of EU environmental legislation and the implementation of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy. .
CEPF looks forward to working constructively with the Irish Presidency and the EU institutions over the coming months. Representing approximately 16 million private forest owners across Europe, CEPF will continue to contribute to policy discussions by promoting sustainable forest management as a key element in delivering Europe's environmental, economic and social objectives, while supporting a competitive, resilient and circular European bioeconomy.
