Navigating the international forest policy labyrinth: Domestic drivers of participation in the UNFF from Czechia, Finland, Slovakia, and Slovenia

Abstract

International forest policy is fragmented, multi-centric, and legally non-binding. Globally, the only intergovernmental political process focused explicitly on forest issues is the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF). Debates persist regarding the efficiency and relevance of this process for participating countries. The theoretical framework introduced by Börzel (2002) proposes a bottom-up approach to internationalization, which assumes that a country's participation at the international level depends on its capacity to act and its policy preferences. This article aims to test these theoretical assumptions from the perspective of four highly forested European countries Czechia, Finland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The results show significant differences: Finland demonstrates strong engagement by leveraging its capacity and involving diverse actors, while Czechia and Slovakia participate minimally, sending governmental representatives but not prioritizing the process. Slovenia, despite having the capacity to act, does not utilize its potential within the UNFF. Notably, capacity to act and forestry sector regulation were not central determinants of participation. Instead, the recognition and support of the UNFF by domestic actors exhibited full conformity between theoretical assumptions and the observed reality. These findings suggest that domestic actors´ support is the primary driver of participation in this global, non-binding political process.