The workshop participants were provided in advance with the Background document prepared by the organizers and the Background note prepared jointly by the MCPFE/LUO, UNECE/FAO Secretariat and EfE/PEBLDS Joint Secretariat. The Background document gave an overview on the status and trends of issues under the overall theme “Forests in a changing environment” and it has a global perspective. The Background note described achievements, challenges and planned actions in the Pan-European region in relation to issues to be addressed at the UNFF8.