The Republic of Moldova (RM) is located in a region of increased vulnerability to climate change, which is increasingly experiencing heat waves, forest fires and drought. The policy documents adopted by the RM in the field of climate change include the forestry sector among the vulnerable sectors and the sectors that can significant contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change, including other sectors (agriculture, water resources, health, infrastructure, etc.). At the same time, Moldova faces a shortage of forest resources, as the coverage of different categories of forest vegetation is low (13.4%), with an even lower share of forests (about 11%). Experts estimate that at least 15% forest cover is needed to meet the challenges of adapting to climate change and ensuring community livelihoods. In this context, the Government by Decision No 55 of 17.02.2023 approved the National Forest Extension and Rehabilitation Programme for 2023-2032 (NFERP). The NFERP was conceptualised to address social-economic, environmental and climate challenges. It is in line with global commitments and trends related to forests and land use (Glasgow Leaders' Declaration on Forests and Land Use; UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030; European Green Pact, etc.). The NFERP is also in line with national policy documents and normative acts: the Forestry Code no. 887/1996, the Land Code no. 828/1991, Law no. 440/1995 on water protection zones and strips for rivers and water basins, Law no. 1041/2000 on the improvement of degraded land through afforestation, etc. For the reference period, the NFERP foresees two strategic directions: (i) forest extension (afforestation), which includes the creation of new forest crops, with the primary objective of social (energy, economic) and ecological (forest habitats, biodiversity shelter) security, estimated at 110 thousand ha; (ii) forest rehabilitation (reforestation/rehabilitation), including the restoration or reconstruction of forest vegetation affected by various forms of degradation, with the primary objective of restoring natural forests and ensuring predominantly ecological functions, estimated at 35 thousand ha. Most of the land included in the NFERP will be in the public ownership of administrative-territorial units (79.2 thousand ha or 54.6% of the total), followed by land in public ownership of the state with 29.1% and private land with 16.2%. According to cadastral records and various specialised studies, the availability of land suitable for afforestation essentially exceeds the needs of the NFERP. Thus, at the moment there are available degraded lands (landslides, gullies, etc.) - 77.5 thousand ha, severely eroded agricultural lands - 123.4 thousand ha, riparian strips for water protection - 30.4 thousand ha. The total budget of NFERP for the period 2023-2032 is 15209.8 mln. MDL or about 750 mln. Euro. Direct costs for afforestation/reforestation works will be 12606,7 mln. MDL or 82,9% of the overall costs. Based on the current situation in the forestry sector (shortage of highly qualified personnel, modern techniques and equipment; poor forestry infrastructure, etc.), the NFERP implementation process must start with extensive capacity building activities (institutional, personnel, technical equipment, creation of forestry infrastructure, etc.). The costs for capacity building will be about 1395.9 mln. MDL or 9.2% of the total, and most of them will have to be implemented during the first 4 years. Afforestation within the NFERP will be carried out as a priority in areas of maximum impact on land and infrastructure. Afforestation technologies will be adapted to the primary conditions of the land concerned and the forest reproductive material (FRM) will consist of tree and shrub species that have confirmed suitability for harsh growing conditions and constraining pedological and climatic factors. According to the expert studies (including research and innovation project: 20.80009.7007.01) about 85 tree/shrub species, native and introduced (naturalized), will be used for the needs of NFERP, including from the related regions/countries of high interest for these purposes: Turkey oak (Quercus cerris L. ), Hungarian oak (Quercus frainetto Ten.), etc. The edifying species of forests in the RM, such as European oak (Quercus robur L.), sessile oak (Q. petraea Matt.), the downy oak (Q. pubescens Wild.), the poplar (Populus alba L., P. nigra L.), ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), are just some of the most important sylvophomorphic and priority elements for NFERP. Potential benefits, present and future, from the implementation of NFERP will be prioritized: (i) reduction of soil degradation processes due to erosion, landslides, etc. (improvement of about 45 thousand ha of degraded land; direct protection of about 350 thousand ha of agricultural land); (ii) qualitative improvement of aquatic resources (afforestation of 15 thousand ha of riparian strips), forest vegetation contributing to efficient groundwater recharge, reduction of solid flow and pollutant concentration; (iii) reduction of air pollution by capturing carbon dioxide and various pollutants that endanger human health and the vitality of biological ecosystems (1272 kt CO2/year); (iv) increasing the potential of products and services of newly created or rehabilitated forests (wood - 225 thousand m3/year; medicinal plants, berries, etc.); (v) modernisation of the FRM sub-sector (about 90% FRM grown under industrial conditions, including 20-30% with protected roots), growth of about 860 million seedlings; (vi) creation of new jobs, especially in rural areas related to a broad spectrum of activities (about 21,000 people); (vii) achievement of a large scale of transfer and dissemination of existing and new technologies in the forest sector (digital technologies; biotechnologies; carbon monitoring etc.).