High genetic diversity of tree and shrub species is a basic requirement for the long-term stability of forest ecosystems and their survival. This knowledge has achieved increasing significance among others in politics and resulted in various national and international activities in the last few years. Especially, the "Convention on Biological Diversity" (CBD) and its various declarations and activities, adopted by the UNCED conference of Rio de Janeiro in 1992 must be emphasized here. Also the "Fourth International Technical Conference of FAO on Plant Genetic Resources", organized in Leipzig 1996, gave significant impetus. The documents are adopted and further global activities are mentioned. On a pan-European basis the Ministry Conferences of Strasbourg 1990, Helsinki 1993 and Lisbon 1998 were important events. The respective resolutions elaborate the necessary actions for the "Protection of Forests in Europe" and are decisive for the conservation of forest genetic resources and sustainable management of forests. These were the basis for implementing the European Forest Genetic Resources Programme (EUFORGEN). Furthermore, activities within the framework of the European Union as well as national activities and programmes are mentioned. Finally, problems to be solved by future activities are discussed.