Navigating Towards Sustainable Forest Futures: Reflections from the 26th IUFRO World Congress

By Dr. Oksana Pelyukh (Ukrainian National Forestry University)

From the 23^rd to 29^th of June 2024, Stockholm hosted the prestigious 26^th IUFRO World Congress under the theme “Forests and Society Towards 2050.” MARGISTAR’s Dr Oksana Pelyukh, an assistant at the Department of Ecological Economics and Business at the Ukrainian National Forestry University (Ukraine), attended this global gathering supported by the ITC Conference Grant provided by MARGISTAR. This blog reflects on her experience and insights gained during this transformative event.

Embracing Global Dialogue on Forests and Society

The IUFRO World Congress stands as the premier global forest-science event, convening every five years since 1893. This year’s edition brought together over 4,000 participants from more than 100 countries, including scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders across various sectors. The Congress aimed to foster interdisciplinary dialogue on critical themes such as forests for sustainable societies, strengthening forest resilience and adaptation to stress, forest bioeconomy, forest biodiversity and its ecosystem services, and forests for the future. Thus, the IUFRO World Congress 2024 supported streamlining forest-research agendas, furthering dialogues and cross-sector cooperation, and promoting the multi-functionality of forests and their services.

Reflecting on Insights and Innovations from the Congress

My motivation to attend the Congress stemmed from my and my colleagues’ research project entitled “Investigation of Public Perceptions and Preferences Regarding Recreational Forests: An Exploratory Study in the Ukrainian Carpathians.” This study, conducted in collaboration with Taras Parpan, the Ukrainian Research Institute of Mountain Forestry named after P.S. Pasternak (Ukraine), and Lyudmyla Zahvoyska, University of Valladolid (Spain), focuses on understanding community expectations and sustainable recreational forest management practices in post-war Ukraine.

Attending the Congress surpassed my expectations in several ways, offering invaluable opportunities to present our findings internationally. The sessions on innovative forest management approaches, integrating technology, and community engagement, were particularly inspiring. Exploring Stockholm and participating in the Congress’ scientific sessions provided deep insights into global perspectives on mountain forestry and climate challenges, including memorable networking with passionate experts, and diverse discussions on the future of mountain forests in a dynamic world.

Furthermore, I had the privilege to participate in the organised excursion as part of the IUFRO 2024 Congress to Barksätter Manor, which focused on “Conservation and Forestry in Practice.” This excursion offered a hands-on learning experience where we explored several critical aspects:

1. Sustainable forestry and wildlife management – a proof of concept?: This session provided practical examples of sustainable forestry practices and their impact on wildlife conservation, offering insights applicable to our research in the Ukrainian Carpathians.
2. Spruce bark beetle damage: Understanding the devastating effects of pests like the spruce bark beetle highlighted the urgent need for effective forest health management strategies, relevant to Sweden, Ukraine, and across Europe where dieback of Norway spruce is observed.
3. The forest and the old feudal landscape: Exploring historical perspectives on forest landscapes underscored the dynamic interplay between cultural heritage and sustainable forest management practices, enriching our understanding of community perceptions.
4. Forest biodiversity in Sweden: Studying Sweden’s rich forest biodiversity showcased successful conservation efforts and biodiversity monitoring techniques, inspiring ideas for enhancing biodiversity conservation in the Ukrainian Carpathians.

The Congress highlighted critical themes such as forest resilience, biodiversity conservation, and the role of forests in mitigating climate change. Discussions emphasised the need for integrated approaches that balance environmental, social, and economic objectives. Key innovations, such as AI-supported monitoring and bioeconomy advancements, showcased the transformative potential of technology in sustainable forest management.

These insights are pivotal for our research in the Ukrainian Carpathians, guiding evidence-based policies that promote sustainable forest use while safeguarding biodiversity and crucial ecosystem services. Abundant networking opportunities at the Congress fostered connections with global researchers and practitioners, initiating collaborative efforts to advance sustainable forestry practices. Looking forward, these insights will inform our research agenda, focusing on enhancing resilience and adaptive capacity in mountainous regions like the Ukrainian Carpathians with a strong emphasis on green employment and youth engagement in sustainable forestry leadership.

Sustainable Futures: Aligning IUFRO Insights with MARGISTAR’s Goals

The 26^th IUFRO World Congress stands as a pivotal event shaping global forest governance and climate action. Looking ahead to 2050, forests are positioned as central to achieving overarching sustainability goals, encompassing biodiversity conservation and carbon neutrality. The Congress provided a fertile ground for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and visionary thinking, essentials for charting a sustainable future where forests thrive alongside society.

In parallel, MARGISTAR’s objectives align with the Congress’s goals in that they foster synergy by advancing sustainable forest management. By synthesising interdisciplinary knowledge and co-creating transformative pathways, MARGISTAR plays a pivotal role in revitalising marginalised mountainous regions. It establishes platforms for dialogue among scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders, facilitating consensus-building and innovative solutions. Together, the outcomes of the 26^th IUFRO World Congress and MARGISTAR’s objectives propel us towards a future where sustainable forest management not only conserves biodiversity and mitigates climate change but also enhances community well-being.