• The Management Plan for the Polish part of the Białowieża Forest has been drawn up and submitted for review to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and then signed on 19 June 2026 by the Minister of Climate and Environment. 
• UNESCO appreciated Poland's efforts regarding, amongst other things, the protection of hydrological continuity, the monitoring of key species, the reduction of habitat fragmentation and the removal of forest fences. 
• The Committee emphasised that maintaining the ecological continuity of the entire transboundary area of the Białowieża Forest remains crucial for the protection of its outstanding universal value. 
• Poland has declared its commitment to continue cooperating with UNESCO and the IUCN, and to participate in the next reactive monitoring mission planned for 2027. 

During the session, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee analysed the state of conservation of the Białowieża Forest – one of Europe’s most valuable natural areas and a natural site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Committee examined information regarding the implementation of the recommendations from the 2024 reactive monitoring mission. Missions of this kind are conducted by UNESCO to assess the state of conservation of sites listed on the World Heritage List and to identify measures that could strengthen their protection. 

For many years, it has been emphasised that the Białowieża Forest requires effective and sustainable protection. Its history also includes difficult periods, such as the logging campaign. At the same time, these events have demonstrated just how valuable the Białowieża Forest is to society as a whole. We are preserving this priceless heritage for future generations of Poles. This is what modern patriotism is all about

– said Mikołaj Dorożała, Deputy Minister of Climate and Environment, when commenting the event. 

Regarding Poland, the Committee welcomed measures related to, amongst other things, the restoration of hydrological continuity, the control of invasive alien species, and the research and monitoring of key species.

The Polish position, prepared by the Ministry of Climate and Environment, was presented by Mariusz Lewicki, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to UNESCO. 

An important topic discussed during the session was the Management Plan for the Polish part of the Białowieża Forest. This document has been drawn up following the recommendations of the 2024 UNESCO reactive monitoring mission, and comments provided by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

The Management Plan is a strategic document that sets out the direction for the conservation of the Białowieża Forest over the next 25 years – until 2051. Its provisions will be incorporated into subsequent nature conservation documents, as well as into forest management plans for forest districts. 

The Committee also appreciated Poland's efforts to reduce the ecological fragmentation of the Forest, including an analysis of the road network, restricting access to certain roads, the planned closure of some road sections, and the continued removal of forest fences. 

At the same time, UNESCO pointed out that maintaining the ecological continuity of the entire transboundary area remains crucial for the protection of the exceptional universal value of the Białowieża Forest. The Committee highlighted the need for further measures to reduce habitat fragmentation and for a specific assessment of the impact of infrastructure projects on the site’s natural values.

During the session, Poland emphasised that it remains open to constructive dialogue on the protection of the Białowieża Forest. Polish representatives stated that the priority is to preserve the area’s outstanding universal value, whilst ensuring national security. 

Poland will submit a report on the state of conservation of this property to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre by the end of January 2027. Another joint reactive monitoring mission by UNESCO and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is planned for the same year.