The EU supports Ukraine in implementing digital transformations as well as a sustainable model of forestry management and will help in their implementation: they agreed to strengthen cooperation in this area.
The Head of the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine, Viktor Smal, held an important meeting with the European Union Representatives for Agriculture, Forestry and Food Christian, Ben Hell, his colleague Michael Wolf and the European Union IPRSA Project Manager in Ukraine, John Millns.
In particular, the main priorities for further implementation of projects in the forestry sector and attracting investment from the EU were identified. Challenges and possible ways to promote the development of the forestry sector in the context of Russian aggression were discussed.
▪️ stressed the need for further reform of the sector in terms of separation of management and control functions, which is also conditioned by the terms of Ukraine’s accession to the EU;
▪️ analysed possible ways of financing the forestry sector of Ukraine, in particular Ukrderzhlisproekt;
▪️ discussed the need to engage an external expert to implement the EU regulations on deforestation (EUDR) in the context of European integration, with possible support from the EU project “Institutional and Policy Reform of Smallholder Agriculture in Ukraine” (IPRSA) and other investment programmes;
▪️ outlined the main areas of support for the forestry sector in the mid-term and stressed the need to update the electronic timber accounting system (EAS) to ensure sustainable and transparent nature management;
▪️ explore on the base of specific examples the need to attract international technical assistance from the EU.
In addition, during the meeting, Viktor Smal informed about the results of effective cooperation between the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine and the BRDO, within the framework of the global project “Support for Digital Transformation” (DTA), a five-year programme with a budget of $150 million, which aims to expand Ukraine’s digital capabilities and creating sustainable ecosystems for a safe and successful future.
Viktor Small said ”we are grateful for the support of our international partners and their appreciation of the institutional changes that have already taken place in the sector. We will continue to work and deepen our cooperation.”
