The Stockholm Congress Statement: Forests and Society towards 2050

The XXVI IUFRO World Congress calls for resolute and equitable actions and best use of knowledge provided by the global science community for informed and far-sighted decisions.

The Stockholm Congress Statement is the output document from the XXVI IUFRO World Congress, distilled from the deliberations on Forests and Society towards 2050. The output of the congress statement is crucial to build engagement among partners and to involve stakeholders in – as well as outside – the forest sector.

Transformations needed
The messages are considered central to ensuring the survival of forest ecosystems and human well-being around the world, and to guiding the transformations needed for a sustainable future for all. Decisive actions at all levels in line with these messages will hopefully contribute to maintaining a stable planet that continues to support life and human well-being.

Global forum
The XXVI World Congress of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations IUFRO, held in Stockholm on 23–29 June 2024, brought together 4 271 participants from 102 countries. It provided a global forum for the exchange of knowledge, perspectives, and visions between scientists across a broad spectrum of disciplines, and dialogue with youth, policy makers, forest managers, business representatives, and civil society organizations.

Resolute actions
Climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental pollution and mounting social injustice are among the most severe crises the world is facing today. Tackling these interlinked crises requires resolute and equitable actions and everyone must take responsibility in their own sphere of influence.

Collaborative process
The congress statement was processed and outlined in collaboration between the IUFRO Management Committee, the Congress Organizing Committee and Congress Scientific Committee, with regional input from stakeholders in the Nordic and Baltic host countries.

Regional contribution
The Nordic and Baltic contribution to the statement provided key messages about roles and needs towards 2050 directed to researchers and policymakers enabling bold action and collaboration between science and business.

Key messages
The Stockholm Congress Statement articulates key messages for the future of forests and society towards 2050. It underscores the urgency of addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, social inequalities and responsible circular bioeconomy, through science-driven policy and equitable action.

Actions at all levels
The XXVI IUFRO World Congress calls for resolute and equitable actions and best use of knowledge provided by the global science community for informed and far-sighted decisions. Action at all levels in line with these messages can contribute to maintaining a stable planet that continues to support life and human well-being.
The congress urges to make best use of the knowledge of the global science community to:

• strengthen forest resilience and climate adaptation
• maintain and enhance the social values of forests for sustainable societies
• expand the role of forests and forest products in a responsible circular bioeconomy and
• transform forest-related sciences for the future.

Nordic and Baltic contribution
The Nordic and Baltic countries have also provided input to the IUFRO Stockholm Congress Statement. Find the regional contribution at:
Nordic Input Finalized for Stockholm Congress Statement | IUFRO Stockholm 2024 (iufro2024.com)