September 15-16, Seoul — The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) Secretariat has been convening the Annual Technical Workshop (ATW) on Project Management and Performance Review since 2020. Serving as an important platform for reflection and knowledge-sharing, the ATW provides project teams and member countries with an opportunity to revisit project achievements, exchange experiences, and assess progress since the previous session. Building on this momentum, the Secretariat successfully organized the Sixth Annual Technical Workshop at the scenic Seoul Botanic Garden, Seoul, from 15 to 16 September 2025. The event brought together over 90 participants, including project managers and staff from 13 member countries, as well as AFoCO Secretariat officials and Korea Forest Service officials. For two days, participants engaged in lively discussions, exchanged lessons learned, and explored innovative approaches to strengthen project management and delivery.
The workshop officially commenced with an opening address by Dr. Chongho Park, Executive Director of AFoCO, who emphasized the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in addressing the region’s pressing forestry challenges. The workshop was also graced by Dr. Nam Sunghee, Director General of the International Affairs Bureau of the Korea Forest Service, underscoring Korea’s continued support and partnership in advancing AFoCO’s mission.
The two-day workshop featured a rich and diverse agenda, reflecting AFoCO’s ongoing commitment to advancing sustainable forest management and climate action across the region. Sessions included in-depth discussions on project management and performance review, providing participants with an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned and identify areas for improvement, as well as thematic presentations. Adding a creative and engaging dimension to the program, the Secretariat also organized the 2nd AFoCO Project Photo Exhibition. A total of 26 projects from member countries participated, showcasing powerful photographs that captured their journeys in forest restoration, community-based enterprises, and sustainable forest management. The exhibition not only celebrated project achievements but also connected technical discussions with inspiring visual storytelling, culminating in an award ceremony for outstanding entries.
Sessions on Project Management and Performance Review
A core component of the workshop was the Project Management and Performance Review, which was divided into sessions for both on-going and completed projects. The three sessions dedicated to the 22 on-going projects were organized under thematic categories to facilitate focused discussions on Community-based Participatory Restoration & Management, Forest Restoration and Rehabilitation, Biodiversity Conservation, and Post-project Impact and Sustainability.
Each session provided project managers with the opportunity to share their progress, highlight key outcomes, and openly discuss the challenges faced during implementation. Constructive exchanges also enabled participants to propose innovative solutions and learn from one another’s experiences. In addition, a dedicated session focused on the six completed projects, where presenters emphasized the impact, sustainability, and long-term relevance of their initiatives. These presentations not only celebrated project achievements but also provided valuable insights and lessons learned that can inform and inspire ongoing and future projects.
The sessions were moderated by senior AFoCO experts, including Dr. Pham Duc Chien and Dr. Lee Yeong-joo, Directors, alongside Dr. Lee Seonghan and Mr. Sungho Choi, Team Leaders, ensuring meaningful discussions and constructive feedback. By combining practical experiences from on-going projects with reflective insights from completed ones, the review sessions served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, peer learning, and continuous improvement in project implementation across AFoCO member countries.
Thematic Presentations on Assessment of AFoCO Strategic Plan 2024-2030, Climate Action Matchmaking Platform (CAMP), and the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) Guideline
A dedicated session shared information on the assessment of AFoCO’s Strategic Plan 2024–2030 with emerging forestry and climate priorities, while introducing key initiatives such as the Climate Action Matchmaking Partners (CAMP), the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) guidelines. AFoCO’s workshop session highlighted the organization’s ongoing efforts to strengthen strategic governance, innovation, and safeguards under the Strategic Plan 2024–2030. The plan’s progress will be measured through 24 Key Performance Indicators, with annual monitoring, a midterm review in 2027, and a final evaluation in 2030, ensuring tangible outcomes toward resilient forests and communities. The session also introduced the upcoming launch of the Climate Action Matchmaking Platform (CAMP)—an online platform showcasing regional nature-based projects and mobilizing private and external funding. Additionally, the new ESMS Guideline was presented, providing a unified framework for risk assessment, stakeholder engagement, and grievance management, reinforcing AFoCO’s commitment to environmentally and socially responsible project implementation across all member countries. The workshop also celebrated the signing of an MoU with the International Forestry Students’ Association (IFSA) Korea to foster youth engagement.
Blended Finance and the AFoCO Climate Forest Cooperation Framework
The AFoCO Blended Finance Task Force led a thematic session on Blended finance and the AFoCO Climate Forest Cooperation Framework. AFoCO’s ODA-funded projects serve as seed initiatives—anchoring government-led strategies that build the foundation for blended finance and private investment in sustainable forest economies. The organization positions its grant-based projects as early-stage catalysts to attract private capital and scale Nature- and Market-based Solutions (NbS, MbS) such as PES, NTFP, and agroforestry. The framework sets out clear procedures for collaboration between AFoCO, its Member Countries, and partners to develop, finance, and implement carbon-related projects. It lays the groundwork for a protocol for project development to streamline project development processes while strengthening regional cooperation on carbon sequestration, sustainable forest management, and climate resilience. As part of the session, Mr. Nay Aung, Fellowship Official from Myanmar, also presented a case study on the “Initial Mapping of Potential Sites in Myanmar.” The study demonstrated a six-stage technical assessment process for identifying potential Afforestation/Reforestation (A/R), REDD+, and mangrove restoration sites. Using MODIS satellite imagery and IPCC guidelines, the preliminary desk-based assessment highlighted Myanmar’s potential to play a key role in AFoCO’s carbon initiatives. Additionally, pilot work in Cambodia illustrates this shift, identifying opportunities to strengthen links between local farmers, cooperatives, and corporate buyers for sustainable timber and agroforestry commodities like Agarwood. These efforts support AFoCO’s broader vision to launch an ASEAN Forest Living Lab and develop blended finance models by 2028, transforming ODA projects into scalable, market-driven forest partnerships.
2nd AFoCO Project Photo Exhibition
The 2nd AFoCO Project Photo Exhibition was held alongside the 2025 Annual Technical Workshop (ATW), offering participants a chance to celebrate achievements through visual storytelling. The exhibition culminated in an award ceremony on the final day of the workshop, 16 September 2025, where outstanding photographs were recognized for their creativity, impact, and ability to capture the spirit of AFoCO projects.
The ceremony was officiated by Mr. Sunpil Jin, Vice Executive Director of AFoCO, who presented certificates and prizes to the winners. The Gold Award was conferred to the project “Forest Restoration using Philippine Threatened and Endemic Tree Species (PTES) in the Bacon-Manito Geothermal Reservation in support of the Philippines Forestry Sector’s National Greening Program” (AFoCO/040/2023).
The Silver Awards went to two projects: AFoCO/024/2021 (Vietnam) and AFoCO/017/2020 (Bhutan), both of which showcased compelling visuals of restoration and community-based forestry initiatives.
Meanwhile, the Bronze Awards were presented to three projects for their impressive submissions: AFoCO/044/2024 (Kazakhstan), AFoCO/039/2023 (Mongolia), and AFoCO/026/2021 (Timor-Leste).
The photo exhibition not only honored the creativity of project teams but also highlighted the dedication and collective efforts of AFoCO member countries in advancing forest restoration, sustainable management, and community livelihoods.
With its blend of technical exchanges, peer learning, and strategic dialogue, the 2025 Annual Technical Workshop reaffirmed AFoCO’s commitment to enhancing project performance and building stronger networks among its member countries. The gathering not only highlighted progress made in the past year but also paved the way for greater cooperation in the years ahead.
The workshop concluded with the closing remarks of the Vice Executive Director of AFoCO, who warmly expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all participants for their active engagement and thoughtful contributions over the two days. He acknowledged that the path of forest conservation and sustainable development is filled with challenges, yet emphasized that the strength of our community, the depth of our collaboration, and our shared vision provide encouragement and confidence. He expressed his hope to meet all participants again at future AFoCO events, including the next ATW in 2026. He concluded the program with a meaningful message: “Let us remain connected and committed to building a greener and more resilient Asia, together.”
Contributed by Sungmin Kim Assistant Program Officer; Kelzang Choden, 2025 Fellowship Official from Bhutan; and Nolie Molina, 2025 Fellowship Official from the Philippines