Last week, the MMFN Secretariat was proud to participate in the EFI 2024 Annual Conference in Bonn, Germany. The event offered an enriching platform for exchange and dialogue. Toni Ventre, our secretary, took part in two significant sessions: the "Network of Networks" event organized by the Horizon Europe project TRANSFORMIT, and the Scientific Seminar on Integrative Forest Management: Perspectives from Science, Policy, and Practice hosted by EFI.

The Palencia Model Forest Project was presented on Tuesday, September 17, alongside 17 other initiatives funded by the Biodiversity Foundation of Spain's Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, which manages the EU Next Generation funds.

The 2025 Quercus Suber Contest, hosted by Provence Model Forest, seeks innovative and sustainable projects related to cork oak forests. Open to individuals, associations, companies, and public bodies, the contest fosters collaboration and promotes the biodiversity and economic vitality of these forest ecosystems. Projects may focus on environmental protection, improved forest management, climate adaptation, or fostering local economic development.

The 27th FAO Committee on Forestry (COFO), took place in Rome last week at the same time as the 9th World Forest Week, attended by delegations from more than 100 countries, with 800 delegates, 20 ministers and deputy ministers, and around 60 non-governmental and research organisations.

The International Model Forest Network (IMFN) will be hosting a Global Forum based in Kemptville, in the Eastern Ontario Model Forest in Canada, from May 26-30th, 2025 and will attract up to 200 delegates representing over 60 Model Forests from around the world.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has just published a special issue of its Unasylva journal on the restoration of Mediterranean forests, which are increasingly threatened by the impacts of climate change and human activity.

The 27th Session of the Committee on Forestry (COFO) will be held on 22-26 July 2024 at FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy in a hybrid format. The biennial sessions of COFO bring together high-level representatives, heads of forest services, government officials and partner organizations to identify emerging policy and technical guidance, seek solutions, and advise on future strategy and action.

The next edition of the Mediterranean Forest Week (MFW) will be held in Barcelona (Spain) from 4 to 8 November 2024, titled “Working together for sustainable and resilient Mediterranean forests. Towards a collaborative roadmap”.