On 08 April 2026, the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Shin-Line Group, a Kazakhstan-based business group with extensive regional networks and operations across logistics, trade, and industry sectors, at the AFoCO Secretariat in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The MOU reflects AFoCO’s continued efforts to strengthen collaboration with private sector partners in advancing sustainable forest management and climate resilience in the region.
(From Left) Dr. Park Chongho, Executive Director of AFoCO, and Mr. Andrey Antonovich Shin, President of Shin-Line Group.
Through this partnership, AFoCO and Shin-Line Group will explore opportunities for cooperation in forest restoration, climate change mitigation, and the development of field-oriented initiatives that contribute to sustainable landscape management in Kazakhstan and the wider region.
AFoCO has been actively promoting regional cooperation to translate proven technologies and policies into concrete actions on the ground. In the face of accelerating climate change, restoring degraded forest landscapes and strengthening ecosystem resilience have become increasingly urgent priorities. The partnership with Shin-Line Group is expected to enhance the implementation of practical, field-oriented initiatives by combining AFoCO’s regional expertise and technical cooperation framework with Shin-Line Group’s local experience and established network in Kazakhstan.
Group photo of AFoCO Secretariat (left) and Shin-Line Group (right)
During the signing ceremony, Dr. Park Chong-ho, Executive Director of AFoCO, highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration with the private sector, noting that integrated partnerships between public and private actors are essential to scaling up effective forest and climate solutions. He emphasized that the MOU represents a meaningful milestone in advancing AFoCO’s efforts to build inclusive and action-oriented partnerships.
The collaboration is also closely aligned with AFoCO’s Climate Action Plan, particularly in supporting the restoration of degraded forest landscapes and enhancing climate resilience in vulnerable regions.
Moving forward, AFoCO and Shin-Line Group will work closely to identify concrete areas of cooperation and develop initiatives that deliver tangible outcomes on the ground. The MOU is expected to serve as a foundation for a long-term and mutually beneficial partnership.
Contributed by Ms. Yunjin Jo (Program Officer)