02/10/2020 (Agence Europe) – A multi-stakeholder platform was launched on Friday 2 October by the European Commission to contribute to the protection and restoration of the world’s forests. It brings together EU Member States, NGOs, industries, international organisations and non-Member States, including the largest consumer markets outside the EU and some of the countries experiencing significant destruction of their forests. It aims to foster exchanges to build alliances and generate commitments and to be “a catalyser for cooperation to halt and reverse deforestation”, according to Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius. The Forum will also feed into the Commission’s work on a proposal for a Regulation to minimise the risk of deforestation linked to products sold on the EU market. A public consultation is underway until 10 December on this initiative, which is expected in the second quarter of 2021. (AN)