EU Forest Directors' discussion on wildfire risk turns on integrated management

EFI and FoRISK participated in the Informal Meeting of EU Forest Directors-General, held in Paphos, Cyprus, from 27 to 29 April 2026 under the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The meeting brought together senior forest officials and experts from across Europe to discuss the growing challenges facing forests, with a particular focus on the increasing threat of wildfires in the context of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Discussions were guided by the European Commission’s recent Communication on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management, which calls for a transition from a predominantly reactive approach to wildfire suppression towards a more comprehensive strategy covering prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery throughout the entire wildfire risk cycle.

During the meeting, Silvia Abruscato, FoRISK Coordinator and EFI Senior Expert, presented the FoRISK network and its role in supporting countries and organisations in strengthening integrated forest risk management. The presentation highlighted FoRISK’s efforts to enhance wildfire prevention and preparedness through international cooperation, knowledge exchange, capacity-building activities, and the development of practical tools and guidance.

Participants were also introduced to FoRISK’s Strategic and Operational Work Programme and its planned activities for 2026, which aim to support the implementation of European policy objectives while fostering collaboration among forestry, emergency management, research, and policy stakeholders across Europe and beyond. Among the participants was also EFI Director, Robert Mavsar.

The meeting provided an important opportunity to discuss how partnerships and coordinated action can help build more resilient forests and communities in the face of increasing wildfire risk. 

The next Informal Meeting of EU Forest Directors-General will take place in Dublin in October 2026 under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Discussions will focus on the bioeconomy, forest resilience, and genetic resources, and will be held alongside the Global Bioeconomy Summit, creating further opportunities to connect forest policy discussions with broader sustainability and bioeconomy initiatives.

FoRISK is an implementation mechanism under the Forest Europe process and is hosted by EFI. It supports countries and stakeholders in strengthening the risk prevention, preparedness, and integrated management of forest risks through international cooperation, knowledge exchange and capacity building.