Hot Spot: Forest policy in Europe: achievements of the MCPFE and challenges ahead

The Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFE) has shaped the pan-European dialogue on forests for 10 years now. At three Ministerial Conferences, approximately 40 European ministers responsible for forests agreed on 12 resolutions for the protection and sustainable management of forests in Europe. Building on the achievements of these last 10 years, the MCPFE is moving towards new challenges. This paper presents these achievements of the MCPFE and provides a look into the future, including the relation of the MCPFE to the global forest debate.