EFI and UK sign Host Country Agreement

The European Forest Institute and the UK government have signed a Host Country Agreement to formally establish an EFI office in the United Kingdom. 

The new office in London will have a focus on global forest governance, enhancing the work of EFI’s International Partnerships Facility. 

The announcement was made on 21 March, the International Day of Forests, following the signature by EFI Director Robert Mavsar at the British embassy in Helsinki, and by the Rt Hon Lord Benyon, Minister of State for Climate, Environment and Energy, in London. 

Robert Mavsar said: “The UK government has been a strong partner of EFI for many years, and I am delighted that collaboration is further strengthened. We need to build strong partnerships to safeguard the world’s forests and their potential to be at the core of building a sustainable future for our planet. This ambitious goal requires that governments, civil society, the private sector and the scientific community work closely together. Supporting this building of multi-stakeholder partnerships, to jointly find viable solutions for the governance of global forests, will be the focus of our London office.” 

Minister of State, Rt Hon Lord Benyon MP said: “The European Forest Institute is an important partner for the UK. The EFI brings together and provides context for leading research and scientific knowledge enabling policymakers to make informed and evidence-based decisions. Their UK office will enable us to work closely with the EFI and its 30 member countries and organisations from 39 states and will reinforce the UK’s leadership on international Forests and climate policy.”

More information: Robert Mavsar, EFI Director (firstname.lastname @ efi.int)

Photo: British Embassy Helsinki