Innlegg på ministermøtet i Forest Europe i Bonn 2024

Importance of implementing SFM at the national level and transboundary cooperation to enhance SFM

Active use of local natural resources all over the country, to secure welfare and vital local communities is a key priority to Norway’s government. And forests are always local. Forests and their value chains also play a role regionally, and on a national level. As climate regulators, habitats for a large part of the world‘s biodiversity and an engine for sustainable development, forests are also a concern for international cooperation. We regard Forest Europe as the most important platform for cooperation on forest policy development in Europe.

Traditionally, forests in Norway have been managed for the provision of wood and energy. Other forest functions were largely taken for granted. With increasing demands and possibilities from use of our forests, forest policies must balance a lot of different interests and have a more cross sectoral approach than earlier. Besides the necessary protection of special vulnerable species and natural habitats, we think that sustainable management of multifunctional forests best can provide goods and services for society, including climate benefits.

When implementing sustainable forest management at the national level, the Pan-European criteria and indicators developed through Forest Europe ensures a holistic approach. Although there is no “one size fits all” for the forest management in Europe, the criteria for Sustainable Forest Management are applicable everywhere. Forest policies on the national level will have to take into account local forest conditions, and that the needs from, and perception of forests are not the same in rural and urban areas. Our commitment to sustainable forest management through Forest Europe, ensures a level playing field for wood in Europe. We should maintain the capacity of European forests to provide for the wood we need. If we fail to do that, and instead use wood produced with lower standards than we have in Europe, we are not improving forest conditions globally.

Forest and wood industries are included in our government‘s green industrial initiative. Our forest recourses have the potential to increase value creation and climate benefits in a growing circular bioeconomy. To handle an increased activity in the forestry sector, our efforts in maintaining and enhancing environmental functions of forests should also be strengthened.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022 requires efforts of all of us. Last week, Norway launched its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. It highlights Norway’s contributions to the targets of the global framework and contains the government’s increased efforts to ecosystem-based management of forests. Measures includes protection of forests, increased efforts to maintain the oldest forests as well as documenting biodiversity in forests in combination with continued sustainable forestry.

The Bonn Declaration is a forward-looking document that will guide us in our efforts in sustainable management of the European forests for the good of society.