OECD Expert Workshop: Forestry for the Future

The OECD Expert Workshop on Forestry for the Future, held May 26–28, 2025 in Riga, Latvia, convened leading forestry experts, policymakers, scientists, and researchers advancing sustainable forest management as a critical climate mitigation strategy. The workshop brought together government officials, forest industry associations, producer organizations, international organizations, and environmental experts to collectively identify key barriers and best practices in national forest policy. Programming centered on sustainable forest management balancing carbon sequestration with biodiversity conservation, wood product supply, and rural livelihoods; climate adaptation strategies for forests facing increased disturbance; carbon credit mechanisms and standards; and policy innovations supporting private landowner participation in climate goals. Sessions addressed forest monitoring methodologies, sustainable forestry certification standards, and financing mechanisms for large-scale reforestation. The workshop shaped OECD research on climate mitigation policy design and international guidance on integrating forests into broader climate frameworks.