The opinion on the Environmental Review of Latvia’s National Development Plan 2021-2027 highlights that forests are recognised as one of Latvia’s most valuable natural resources, as forest land covers 52% of Latvia's total territory, and Latvia is considered one of the most forest-rich countries in Europe. In Latvia’s Climate Change Adaptation Plan until 2030, forestry is viewed as one of the economic sectors that must be protected from the negative consequences of climate change.
The Forest Certification Council of Latvia, in cooperation with Daugavpils University and the Latvian State Forest Research Institute "Silava", is organising its 5th conference this year on 10 December, covering current topics for the forest and related sectors that affect the national economy, sustainable development, as well as the importance of balancing social, environmental and economic aspects in an era of climate change."
Conference opening
Irēna Kokina, Rector of Daugavpils University
Māris Liopa, Chairman of the Forest Certification Council of Latvia
SESSION 1: CLIMATE, ITS CHANGES IN THE PAST AND PRESENT. THE LATVIAN AND GLOBAL CONTEXT
Carbon storage in forests over a long period. Integration into various strategies (with examples), damage mitigation in forests
Dr. Āris Jansons, Leading Researcher at LSFRI Silava
Climate, its changes in the past and present
Dr. Normunds Stivriņš, Board Member of Epicentrs
Strategy of a state-owned forest land management company for sustainable resource use in an era of change
Mārtiņš Gaigals, Member of the LVM Council
SESSION 2: BALANCED DEVELOPMENT OF THE FOREST AND RELATED SECTORS AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION PROBLEMS. RISKS THAT MAY AFFECT THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOECONOMY SECTORS
Latvian forests today and tomorrow - will there be opportunities for Latvian forestry, and if so, what will they be?
Dr.silv., Jurģis Jansons, Leading Researcher at LSFRI Silava
Action for responsible change – replacing fossil resources with sustainable forestry products
Māris Būmanis, Member of the Board of AS Latvijas Finieris
Development problems and solutions for the peat sector in the new climatic situation
Uldis Ameriks, Chairman of the Board of Laflora, Member of the Council of the Latvian Peat Association
Geographical distribution of new forest territories and management challenges
Dr. Zigmārs Rendenieks, Researcher at the University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences
Modelling the impact of forest management and nature conservation regulations on landscape fragmentation changes in Gauja National Park over a 500-year period
Mg. geogr. Andris Ziemelis, Doctoral student in Environmental Science at the University of Latvia, Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences
SESSION 3: BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. SOCIETAL WISHES AND POSSIBILITIES. EXPERIENCE OF OTHER EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES
The role of dead wood in the conservation of specially protected saproxylic beetle species in commercial pine forests
Dr. Uldis Valainis, Leading Researcher at the DU Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies
The ecological importance of stumps retention for lichen species diversity maintenance in regenerated pine stands
Mg. Rolands Moisejevs, Leading Researcher at the DU Institute of Life Sciences and Technologies
SESSION 4: EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR COOPERATION IN THE FOREST AND RELATED SECTORS IN THE CONTEXT OF DIVERGENT VIEWS AT THE EUROPEAN UNION LEVEL
Bioeconomy in Latvia, Ministry of Agriculture position, needs and opportunities
Dr.sc.agr. Ainars Nābels-Šneiders, Senior Officer at the Strategy Analysis Department of the Ministry of Agriculture
Wood – the fundamental material for future construction
Krists Slokenbergs, Director of the company “i2”
The influence of EU development directions and opinions on Latvia's bioeconomy sectors. Problems and solutions
Katrīna Zariņa, Policy Director of the LCCI (Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
Polish forestry under the influence of various changes
Dr.Piotr Mederski, Professor at Poznań University