The Council of the European Union has scheduled an informal videoconference of the Working Party on Forestry for 2 September 2026, according to a notice of meeting and provisional agenda published on 24 July 2026. The meeting will focus on preparations for the 28th session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO28), a key international forum under the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The agenda indicates that member state representatives will discuss EU positions and coordination ahead of COFO28, which addresses global forest policy, sustainable forest management, and the role of forests in climate change mitigation. The informal format suggests a preparatory exchange of views rather than formal decision-making, allowing experts to align national priorities before the international meeting. The meeting is expected to involve forestry attachés and experts from EU member states, with the European Commission likely providing input on EU-level commitments. No prior coverage of this specific meeting exists in recent months, marking it as a new step in the EU's engagement with global forestry governance. The outcome of the videoconference may shape the EU's negotiating stance at COFO28, potentially influencing positions on deforestation, biodiversity, and carbon sinks. Stakeholders such as forestry industry associations and environmental NGOs may monitor the meeting for signals on EU policy direction, though no concrete measures are expected from this informal session alone.
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