Contributed by: Nolie Molina, Fellowship Officer
The Twelfth Session of the Assembly of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on 13-14 May 2025. The Assembly was physically attended by 14 Parties namely; Bhutan, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar, Republic of Korea (ROK), Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam, and Singapore as an Observer. Mongolia hosted the assembly as proposed and agreed during the 11th session of the Assembly.
Preceded by the 2025 Annual Thematic Dialogue (ATD) with a theme “Catalyzing AFoCO’s Potential through Impact Investment and Multi-Partner Collaboration,” the 12th Session of the Assembly included discussions on new initiatives under AFoCO Climate Action and multi-partner collaboration including private sector engagement and multilateral banks.
Excellency Saldan Odontuya, Member of State Great Hural and Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Mongolia welcomed the delegates during the official welcome dinner. In commemoration of Mongolia’s arbor day, the delegates were invited to have planting ceremony at the Greenbelt Program site at the Terelj National Park. The delegates experienced the culture and nature Mongolia through exploring the Terelj National Park.
The 12th Session of the Assembly was presided by Dr. Oupakone from Lao PDR as the Acting President of the Assembly. For the opening of the Assembly; Dr. Oyunsanaa Byambasuren, Director General of the Forest Agency of Mongolia, welcomed participants. The Executive Director Dr. Park Chong-ho thanked the participants and expressed his commitment to delivering on AFoCO’s vision.
The agenda includes updates on AFoCO’s Climate Action Plan for 2025-2030; Approach for the New Project/Program Development under the AFoCO Strategic Plan 2024-2030 and 2026 Call for Project Concept Note; New and Ongoing Forest Carbon Projects with Partner Institutions; Potential Role and Activities of Private Sector Engagement through Multi-Partner Collaboration; Reallocation of Budget from the Working Capital Reserve; and Promotion and Enhancement of Membership Relations and Partners.
The Session focused on the progress of forestry projects and potential collaborations with private sectors. Representatives from Pollination, a climate change investment and advisory firm and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) shared potential direction for collaboration, particularly approaches for developing high integrity nature-based solutions projects globally. The Assembly also discussed the challenges in investing in large-scale nature-based carbon projects and the need for high-quality and high-integrity principles.
The Secretariat presented the approach for new project/program development under the AFoCO Strategic Plan 2024-2030. The new project/program development will consider long-term scale-up strategies through private sector engagement. The Assembly was updated on the progress of the 2026 Call for Project Proposals and follow-up schedule of activities.
The Assembly was further updated on the current state and future plans for programs and projects including Forest Fire Management in Asia (FFMA) capacity building programs. The Assembly noted on the efforts to continue the collaboration with ADB, ARTA Networks, Nokia Bell Labs, and other potential partners to identify investable project pipelines and map relevant investors, as well as . engagement with UN bodies and international organizations including UNCCD COP 17, and other global forums.
For the next steps: the AFoCO will continue to develop blended finance strategy and private sector engagement models; incorporate market-based solutions components into the Project Development Cycle in collaboration with relevant partners and member countries; explore strategic financing domains under the public-private partnership framework; strengthen the engagement across 5 strategic finance areas (i.e. MDB co-financing, carbon markets, blended finance, and technology innovation); continue building partnerships to mobilize diverse capital and expertise for scalable, high-impact forest solutions; and further develop its role as a standard-setter for nature-based blended finance in Asia and globally.
Specifically, AFoCO and the member countries will support accreditation for climate finance such as GCF by facilitating communication with their respective National Designated Authorities.
AFoCO and its member countries will continue to fulfill its committed to strengthening forest cooperation and taking concrete actions to address the impacts of climate change and to promote sustainable forest management aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, and in partnership with international organizations and engaging multinational companies, impact investors, and venture funds in nature-based and market-based solutions.
