Prishtina, December 10 – The Joint Annual Review (JAR) of the Forestry Sector in Kosovo commenced on December 10, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development (MAFRD) within the framework of the EU and Sweden-funded program “Support to Strengthening Sustainable and Multipurpose Forest Management to Improve Rural Livelihoods and Address Climate Change in Kosovo,” implemented by FAO.
The review aims to assess the progress achieved, identify challenges, and set priorities for the development of the forestry sector. The outcomes of this event will play a key role in shaping future actions to ensure Kosovo’s forestry sector continues to contribute to environmental sustainability, economic growth, and improved rural livelihoods.
Venera Çerkini, Secretary General of MAFRD, highlighted that the Ministry is actively implementing policies and strategies to improve the state of the sector and address longstanding environmental challenges.
“As MAFRD, we have taken all necessary steps to ensure that the legal framework regulating this important sector is a top priority for the Government. Forestry must be viewed as a critical governmental sector through its economic, environmental, social, and cultural dimensions”, said Çerkini.
Ms. Çerkini also mentioned that the Government has approved the main forestry policy document drafted by MAFRD – the Forestry Development Strategy 2022–2030 – which outlines the sector’s development trajectory until 2030.
“To support these new policies, a new Forestry Law has been adopted, which clearly defines responsibilities and competencies for forest preservation and management, reforms forest and forestland management structures, and specifies methods for managing forests and utilizing forestland”, she added.
The two-day event’s opening was attended by representatives from institutions, the private sector, international donors, and civil society involved in the forestry sector.
Vadim Stirbu, Program Officer at the European Union Office in Kosovo, spoke about the EU’s continued support for the forestry sector. “The EU has extended its support for the current program implemented by FAO for another two years, and we encourage the respective institutions to fully utilize this support and program expertise”, he stated.
Naser Krasniqi, FAO’s local leader in Kosovo, emphasized the need for inter-institutional partnerships to achieve sustainable and multipurpose forest management. “This event provides an excellent opportunity to address these challenges, as well as climate change and the prevention of illegal logging”, Mr. Krasniqi said.
The Joint Annual Review of the Forestry Sector in Kosovo will continue tomorrow with a field visit to the municipalities of Ferizaj and Kaçanik.
