The protection of European forests is increasingly becoming a cross-border challenge for the future. As the Ministry for the Living Environment announced Wednesday, Hungary has acceded to the Stockholm Ministerial Declaration. The agreement was signed in June at the 10th Ministerial Conference of FOREST EUROPE by representatives of numerous European countries.
The protection and sustainable use of forests are a shared responsibility that transcends national borders. Coordinated policy measures and international initiatives are essential to address current environmental challenges, the ministry stated.
Forest areas in Europe (2023) – Forests and other wooded areas as a percentage of total land area. Source: Eurostat/Nemzeti Archívum/MTI
The FOREST EUROPE Forum is considered the highest-level platform for European forest policy. It provides participating states with a forum to discuss strategic directions, analyze risks, and strengthen future partnerships.
By signing the declaration, Hungary underscores its long-term commitment to sustainable forestry and to strengthening the resilience of domestic forests against environmental impacts. Global crises such as climate change and the associated increase in wildfires can only be effectively combated through global cooperation, reads the ministry’s statement.
Forest area in Hungary (2000–2024) – Total area of forested land designated for forestry, as of December 31, in thousands of hectares. Source: KSH/Nemzeti Archívum/MTI
The European alliance brings concrete benefits to the Hungarian forestry sector. The ministry explained that
the future of domestic forest management is shaped and supported by European cooperation, which promotes the integration of scientific findings into decision-making, fosters innovation through partnerships, and supports the application of digital technologies.
As a result of climate change, forest fires no longer affect only the Mediterranean region but pose an increasing threat in Central and Northern Europe as well. Against this backdrop, the ministry emphasized the strategic importance of cooperation with countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Türkiye. As part of the exchange, modern prevention measures and digital monitoring systems were presented that are intended to help reduce the risk of forest fires in Central Europe in the future.
Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Vasvári Tamás
