- Advances in the various areas covered by the conference—all of which fall under the umbrella of digitalization—can lead to a better understanding of the current situation, greater process automation, and, ultimately, greater efficiency in the management, protection, and sustainable use of forest resources.
- Effective management requires knowledge. Data—its quality and governance—are essential. We need reliable and secure data that is clearly defined and robust in its collection, storage, updating, and handling.
- But knowledge is action. The collection and management of data must be geared toward subsequent decision-making; therefore, to be useful, it must incorporate the needs of end users and the expertise of managers from the very beginning. Data must always be verified against on-the-ground reality, which is why the role of researchers and managers in the field remains essential.
- Sharing is essential. To reduce duplication and errors and improve efficiency, governments must step up their existing efforts to collect data and develop applications, thereby establishing robust and stable frameworks, fostering synergies, and maximizing the use of public resources, thus ensuring that investment in real-world solutions is effective.
- The forestry sector is also a vital economic sector. Digitalization is not an option; it is a necessity that is here to stay. In the forestry sector, as in so many others, failing to embrace digitalization does not merely mean missing out on opportunities—it means losing competitiveness. Companies must adapt to profound changes, and public authorities must facilitate this process.
- Significant progress is achieved through multidisciplinary teams with a forward-looking vision, as well as a solid foundation of experience. Combining these elements is key, as is fostering effective cooperation and collaboration among government agencies, businesses, technology centers, universities, and other research institutions.
- This conference, and the RetechFOR project that underpins it, mark a turning point. The stage we are at now enables us to do more: to take a leap forward, to bridge the digital divide in the sector, and to realize possibilities that, until very recently, existed only in our imagination. We are ready for this, but solid foundations must be laid in terms of structure, operations, investment, and channels of collaboration to make it happen.
