The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a draft law on Ukraine's accession to the Convention on the European Forest Institute (EFI). The corresponding decision was taken at a Government meeting on January 23.

The EFI is an international organization, established by European States. In accordance with  the Convention on EFI, membership in the organization is acquired at the state level. Scientific institutions of one or another state may acquire the status of associate members (European organizations) or affiliated members (organizations outside of Europe).

As of today, EFI has 29 member states and  115 organizations have become associate and  affiliate members in 36 countries, including 2 Ukrainian academic and educational institutions. In total, EFI has 5 regional offices and three design centers.

Adoption of the bill by the Parliament will enable Ukraine to access to the Convention on  EFI which will further facilitate the mobilization of research potential and the efficient consolidation of available resources of many European countries in the field of forestry research and advanced forest management techniques and technologies. Research is a scientific basis for forest policy support at European, regional and national levels.