They called attention to the importance of including biodiversity in all sectoral policies, working together with other stakeholders and improving access to EU nature and biodiversity funds. They welcomed the preparation of the proposal put forward by the European Commission to improve implementation by means of a coordination structure and strategy-monitoring mechanisms, along with the preparation of attainable and measurable targets and indicators to measure progress.

The majority of directors supported the new EU Forest Strategy as an important step in the right direction. The participants agreed that increased monitoring of forest biodiversity was essential, as was the integration between the EU Forest Strategy and the Biodiversity Strategy and their significant contribution to climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The directors expressed the need for stepping up efforts to eliminate factors contributing to the loss of pollinators, particularly the loss of habitats in agricultural areas and the impact of pesticides, and supported activities as part of the revision of the EU Pollinators Initiative and the proposal of a joint EU pollinators monitoring system.

In addition to EC representatives, Nature Directors from EU member states and their close associates, the meeting was also attended by representatives of environmental international organisations and a representative of the European Environment Agency.