The WBG-Korea Knowledge Exchange on Integrated Forestry Management, held from April 7 to 11, 2025, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, concluded successfully, fostering in-depth dialogue and strengthening institutional capacity in sustainable forest management. Jointly organized by the World Bank Group (WBG), the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), and the Korea Forest Service (KFS), and supported by the Korea Green Growth Trust Fund (KGGTF), the program convened Indian forestry officials and stakeholders for a comprehensive learning experience on Korea’s best practices in integrated forestry management.
Learning from Korea’s Forestry Experience
Conducted as part of the Enhancing Landscape and Ecosystem Management (ELEMENT) Project, the program provided participants with practical insights into Korea’s forest rehabilitation strategies, forest-based enterprise development, and institutional coordination. The program also highlighted landscape-based approaches, fire prevention technologies, and the role of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in enhancing both ecological resilience and local livelihoods.
Field Visits and Knowledge Sharing with Korean Institutions
Participants visited a wide range of institutions and project sites, including the Korea Forest Service (KFS), Korea Forest Promotion Institute (KOFPI), National Institute of Forest Science (NIFoS), National Forest Seed Variety Center (NFSV), Forest Training Institute, Yongmun Nursery Center, Gapyeong Forestry Association (Pine Nut Processing Center), Gwangneung Forest Biosphere Reserve, and Seoul Forest, engaging directly with Korean experts and practitioners to witness firsthand the implementation of forest policies and landscape-level interventions.
Direct engagement with officials and practitioners deepened their understanding of forest governance, while exposure to innovative solutions helped identify potential areas for future collaboration between Korea and India.
Closing Ceremony and Expert Dialogue
The training program concluded with a closing ceremony held in Seoul, where participants had the opportunity to reflect on their experiences and engage in an in-depth dialogue with Korean forestry experts. The Expert Dialogue session featured three distinguished speakers: Mr. Jin Sunpil, Vice Executive Director of AFoCO; Dr. Misun Park, Professor at the Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology at Seoul National University; and Dr. Junghwan Park, Senior Project Manager at AFoCO’s Project & Program Division.
Participants and experts exchanged perspectives on practical challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of peer learning and cross-border cooperation. Following the dialogue, a certificate awarding ceremony was held, recognizing the participants’ dedication and active engagement throughout the five-day exchange.
Knowledge Exchange for Lasting Impact
By engaging with key public and private institutions, as well as experts from the World Bank and Korea, participants had the opportunity to gain deep insights into Korea’s policies, practices, and institutional frameworks that underpin successful integrated forest management.
The knowledge exchange combined technical workshops, peer-to-peer learning, site visits, and action planning sessions, allowing participants to translate lessons into practical strategies applicable to their local contexts. As a result, the program not only strengthened their capacity to address challenges in forest governance and landscape restoration, but also laid the groundwork for continued collaboration between Korea and India in advancing sustainable forestry.
Contributed by Hyemin Yoon, Intern, Strategic Planning Team, AFoCO
