On July 1, 2026, Belarusian State Technological University (BSTU) hosted a round table discussion bringing together leading forestry experts from Belarus and Russia. The event provided an effective platform to address pressing challenges in forest inventory, professional training, and regional cooperation.

Key attendees included Andrei Karas, Deputy Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus, and Sergei Yushkevich, Head of the Department of Research, Law, and HR at the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Belarus. The discussion was co-moderated by Svetlana Lisitsa, Director of the Personnel Training Centre of the Belarusian Ministry of Forestry, and Irina Vukolova, Rector of the Russian Institute of Continuous Education in Forestry under the Federal Agency for Forestry (Rosleskhoz). Representing BSTU, Nikolai Yushkevich, Dean of the Forestry Faculty, and Vladimir Loy, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry Engineering, Materials Science and Design, also actively participated in the dialogues.

The Russian delegation represented a broad geographic spectrum, with participants travelling from Moscow, Arkhangelsk, Karelia, and Buryatia. The guests toured BSTU forestry-focused laboratories and classrooms, highly praising the Belarusian system of forestry education and management for its rich traditions and robust foundational base. A major focus of the meeting was forest fire protection – a critical issue for both nations. Participants shared best practices for wildfire control and explored potential formats for future collaboration.

Building on these insights, the round table concluded with a mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and establishing regular knowledge-sharing initiatives.

By aligning their educational frameworks and technological approaches, both nations aim to build a more resilient forestry sector capable of effectively mitigating ecological threats. This meeting marks a significant step forward in fostering a unified, proactive strategy for sustainable forest management across the region.