Bizkaia will host the international conference “Managed Forests for a Resilient Region” on November 19 and 20

19 / 11 / 2026

The Provincial Council of Bizkaia will host the international conference entitled "Managed Forests for a Resilient Territory" on November 19 and 20 at the Bizkaia Aretoa in Bilbao, an event jointly coordinated by the Union of Forest Owners of Southern Europe (USSE) and the University of the Basque Country (EHU) that will bring together representatives of European institutions, national and regional administrations, research centers, forest owners, and professionals from the forestry-wood sector.

Forests play a fundamental role in Europe's strategy against climate change, biodiversity conservation, and the development of rural areas. However, forest management faces major global challenges such as the increase in wildfires, the spread of pests, market uncertainty, and the need to retain rural population. The resilience of the continent's forests depends to a large extent on the decisions made by managers, owners, and administrations.

Within this framework, the conference will discuss how the evolution of the European policy framework can better support resilient forests and rural communities, exchange experiences on active and sustainable forest management as a key tool for adapting to climate change, explore innovative financing mechanisms to boost long-term investment in forest resilience, and reinforce cooperation among policymakers, researchers, and professionals to accelerate the implementation of effective solutions.

Bizkaia, a strategic setting

The choice of Bizkaia as the venue responds to its own territorial reality, where forest areas represent more than 58% of the surface area, playing a strategic role in its economy, environment, and rural development. Likewise, the recent framework offered by the new Provincial Forestry Regulation provides an especially suitable environment to discuss modern forestry governance.

Under the premise that Europe's forests are managed locally, this international conference seeks to demonstrate how local action contributes to achieving European objectives while ensuring that EU policies remain connected to the reality of the territories where they are applied.

View the full programme.

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