Summary of Seminario virtual México-Finlandia - Bosques y Cambio Climático - Bienvenida

00:00:00 - 00:40:00

The video discusses the importance of forests in Mexico and Finland, and how the two countries are working together to improve forest management and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Dozens of experts from both countries share their experiences and discuss how to improve cooperation across borders.

• 00:00:00 This virtual seminar on forests and climate change is jointly organized by the Republic of Finland and the United States Mexican. I am Carlos Manuel Pérez Medina, the titular head of the International Affairs Unit. I'll be participating in the moderation. In addition to Ernesto Lárraga, our sound technician, I invite you to follow the protocol of virtual meetings we are already familiar with. This refers to maintaining microphones turned off while speakers are speaking, and sending questions through the chat box for questions and answers for attendees. I see Dr. Sarukhán very anxious right now. I'll take the opportunity to contact his assistant to try to get his phone number and solve his technical problem. If we're able to write in the chat box, please let us know. We have simultaneous interpretation enabled, so if anyone wants to try it, please click on the icon to the lower right of the screen and select the language they prefer: English or Spanish. Doctor Sarukhán is absent today due to a medical appointment, and tomorrow he will be released and be able to return to work. We are very happy that Professor Marcos is able to participate in this event, as he has contributed for years on the challenges forestry faces and the adaptation of both countries.
• 00:05:00 The seminar will focus on the topic of forests and climate change, and Finnish participants will share their best practices on sustainable forestry. Forests are an important source of wellbeing, but they are also our only natural resource. We live off of them too, so the main goal and value in common for Finland and Mexico in forestry management is sustainability. In terms of environmental and economic factors, and social considerations, the key to bilateral cooperation's continuity is to share respect and responsibility for the immense value forests offer. Finally, I would like to thank the embassy of Finland in Mexico and CONAF, in particular, for the tree that was planted three years ago to celebrate our forestry cooperation in Guadalajara. Forestry in Mexico should continue to grow strong and sustainably, and I would like to thank the Mexican government, SEMARNAT, and CONAF for organizing this seminar. I hope that it will be very useful for our national positions on post- and climate change, and bilateral forestry cooperation. Thank you again. And thank you, Ambassador. We are encouraged by the Director General of CONAF's message. Luis Meneses Murillo, Director General of CONAF, will be speaking. Perhaps we'll confirm that he is connected, but we'll proceed with his message
• 00:10:00 This video introduces the virtual seminar Mexico-Finlandia: Bosques and Climate Change, which is being attended by Mexican and Finnish experts. The seminar is part of the ongoing Memorandum of Understanding between Mexico and Finland focused on forestry and climate change mitigation. Marcus Mula, a Finnish forestry expert who has worked in Mexico for over 60 years, is one of the presenters. He shares his experience of working with Mexican forests and the importance of bilateral cooperation in this field. Maria Lourdes Alborés González, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DINAMIS), reaffirms Mexico's commitment to fighting environmental crises and working to preserve forests at both national and subnational levels. She also shares her hope that the seminar will result in fruitful exchanges of knowledge and lessons learned. I would like to extend my thanks to all the institutions involved in this seminar-both Mexican and Finnish-for their support. This invaluable cooperation between countries helps us to better understand the impacts of climate change on forests and safeguard their long-term sustainability.
• 00:15:00 This video features a discussion between Mexican and Finnish officials on the importance of forests and climate change. The Mexican Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, María Liz Alborés Gonzalez, speaks on the relationship between forests in Mexico and Finland, and the challenges that lie ahead in preserving and utilizing these ecosystems sustainably. Andrés Manuel López Obrador, head of the Department of Rural Development in Mexico, also shares his thoughts on the importance of forests and rural development. The Finnish Ambassador to Mexico, Ernesto Céspedes, welcomes the Mexican delegation and remarks on the close cooperation between Mexico and Finland in the field of environment and climate change. Dr. Sarukhán, a Mexican climate scientist, discusses the importance of knowledge sharing between both countries and the need for both nations to incorporate indigenous and local knowledge into their understanding of forests and climate change.
• 00:20:00 The video discusses the importance of forests and climate change, and how Mexico is lacking in knowledge about its natural resources. The speaker emphasizes the importance of communal forests and ejidos, which are often neglected and vulnerable to exploitation. He goes on to say that Mexico has no policy in place to stimulate forest reforestation, and that restoration is always better than simply replanting trees. The speaker also mentions the need to understand specific areas and ecosystems for restoration work and to have an understanding of the full range of organisms that make up an ecosystem.
• 00:25:00 The video introduces the topic of vulnerability to climate change and health risks that can be caused by parasites and how Mexico and Finland can work together to improve forest management and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Dozens of experts from both countries share their experiences and discuss how to improve cooperation across borders.
• 00:30:00 The speaker welcomes everyone to the Mexico-Finlandia seminar virtual, discussing the topic of forests and climate change. They talk about the importance of conserving natural areas, and how Mexico and Finland cooperate closely in this area. Finally, they give a brief overview of the history of forestry cooperation between Mexico and Finland.
• 00:35:00 The video discusses Finland's challenges and future in forestry, and presents Dr. Adelante as a welcome speaker. He talks about the importance of forest management, and how cooperation has helped both countries develop and improve their forestry techniques. He also mentions the importance of developing national forest strategies, and how Mexico and Finland have cooperated on a number of other forest-related issues, such as the national forest inventory, transferring technologies, and promoting investments. Finland is a long-term partner, and the video shows how many years' worth of experience the speaker has in forestry. He also talks about the importance of continuing cooperation on forestry issues, and how to build on the successes of the past.
• 00:40:00 Today's topic is forest conservation and climate change. Finland is under different pressures as society demands new products and services without precedent, including reducing deforestation and degradation. Our main topic today is reducing deforestation and preserving biodiversity while meeting energy, wood, and fiber needs with more sustainable materials. Cooperation between both countries offers many opportunities, but it is also necessary to find new equilibrium balances that correspond to the country's political priorities for forests. This requires a comprehensive understanding of the importance of forests among decision-makers and citizens as well as new technical capabilities. Our main topic today is the impact of climate change on forests. Forest conservation is a partial solution to reducing emissions, but it also requires adaptation to maintain resilience. The impact of climate change on forests forms part of a new equilibrium between the pillars of residence. The tone of the presentation is positive, as we need to find solutions for limiting emissions from deforestation and degradation of our resources, as well as increasing carbon storage. This is a difficult challenge because we need to address also other dimensions of sustainability. Finally, I would like to congratulate the organizers of this important event and wish them success in their work today. Thank you.