Prague, 26 September 2025 – From 16 to 19 September 2025, Prague became the center of international forestry activity. The Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences at the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, in cooperation with the European Forest Institute (EFI), hosted this year’s Annual Conference of this prestigious organization. The event attracted nearly 130 experts from across Europe and beyond, reaffirming the Czech Republic’s position as an active partner in European forestry research and education. The conference was supported by Lesy České republiky (Forests of the Czech Republic), the City of Prague, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, and Lesy hl. m. Prahy (Prague Municipal Forests).
One of the highlights of the conference was the awarding of the title European Forest City 2025, which was granted to Prague precisely due to its role as host of the EFI conference. This title is awarded to European cities that actively support the development of urban greenery, sustainable management of urban forests, and environmentally responsible policies.
"Environmental protection and ensuring that Prague remains one of the greenest cities in Europe is extremely important to me. I would like to thank everyone who contributes to this goal and who takes care of Prague in this respect," said Bohuslav Svoboda, Mayor of Prague.
The conference was ceremonially opened with a reception in the historical Brožík Hall at the Old Town Hall. The main day of the conference, 17 September, was opened by Professor Róbert Marušák, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences at CZU, together with Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda, Tomáš Krejzar, Director of the Forestry Economics and Policy Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, and Zbyněk Šmída, Economic and Administrative Director of Lesy České republiky.
That evening, a gala dinner was held at the Kaiserstein Palace on Malostranské Square, with a captivating view of Prague Castle and a performance by young pianist Marie Šumníková. The dinner menu was inspired by the theme “Forest Symphony.”
Robert Mavsar, Director of the European Forest Institute, emphasized in his speech that EFI has long strived to connect scientific knowledge with practical application and policy. He stated that the conference in Prague confirmed the essential importance of international cooperation at a time when forestry faces uncertainty and major challenges – from the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss to increasing societal demands.
The following days of the conference were devoted to a scientific seminar and field excursions. A half-day excursion, organized in cooperation with Lesy hl. m. Prahy, led participants to Stromovka Park, where arborist work was demonstrated. A full-day excursion with Lesy České republiky to the Litvínov Forest District showcased an elm seed orchard, management of valuable beech stands, and restoration of Norway spruce stands in areas affected by air pollution.
Dalibor Šafařík, Director General of Lesy České republiky, praised the event, saying:
“I congratulate the faculty on organizing the conference and am proud that Forests of the Czech Republic was a partner. I consider EFI to be an exceptional international organization connecting science, economy, and forest management.”
Professor Róbert Marušák, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, added:
“The EFI conference was an exceptional opportunity for our faculty to present Czech forestry and research to the international professional community. It also provided space for sharing experiences and forming new international partnerships. I am pleased that after hosting the conference online in 2021 due to COVID, we were able to welcome participants in person this year.”
Following the successful Prague edition, the 2026 EFI Annual Conference will move to the Swedish city of Växjö, which will hold the title of European Forest City next year.
The Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences at CZU has thus confirmed its important role in the European landscape of forestry science, education, and international cooperation.
