Poland took over the Presidency of the Council of the EU on 1 January 2025. In its priorities, the Polish Presidency has outlined its commitment to strengthening the sustainability and resilience of Europe’s forests through key legislative and policy initiatives.
It commits to continuing the work on the proposals for a forest monitoring, proposal on the production and marketing of forest reproductive material, and proposal on soil monitoring.
Beyond legislative work, the Polish Presidency will play a leading role in the preparation of the EU position for the 20th technical session of the UN Forum on Forests, ensuring that European priorities are well-represented in global forest policy discussions.
The Polish Presidency will also organise the meetings of the EU Forest Directors and EUNature Directors, including a joint session in Warsaw in May 2025.
During his address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg at the strat of the Presidency, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of EU legislation, including aspects of the Green Deal, to strike a better balance between environmental goals and economic competitiveness. While reaffirming Poland’s commitment to climate and environmental policies, he stressed the importance of identifying and modifying all provisions that can lead to higher prices.
The full Presidency programme can be found [HERE], and Prime Minister Tusk’s speech is available [HERE].
