On 21 March 2025, Asia Forest Cooperation Organization and Korea Forest Service jointly organized a commemoration for the 2025 International Day of Forests at the Korea National Arboretum in Pocheon City. The members of the diplomatic corps, including the Ambassadors and representatives of the diplomatic missions of the member and partner countries of AFoCO, joined to commemorate the International Day of Forests and reaffirm their commitments and support for sustainable forest management.
The theme for this year’s International Day of Forests “Forests and Foods” highlights the crucial role forests play in food security, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods. Forests provide a diverse range of edible plants, support biodiversity, and contribute to resilient food systems worldwide.
H.E. Mr. Lim Sang-seop, Minister of the Korea Forest Service emphasized the importance of international cooperation and solidarity in securing safe and healthy food and addressing poverty, by sustainable practices and mitigating climate change through forest restoration, disaster response, and sound production or farming of forest product and income generation.
Dr. Park Chong-ho, Executive Director of AFoCO, highlighted AFoCO’s works with the member countries, including forest management, promoting non-timber forest product, and enhancement of community well-being, to address climate change, promote sustainable forest management, and alleviate poverty. Emphasizing AFoCO’s efforts and role in line with the theme of ‘Forests and Foods,’ he reaffirmed AFoCO’s commitment to spare no effort in realizing the vision of ‘A Greener Asia.’
On this day, the Korea Forest Service unveiled the ‘K-Forest for All’ brand for the first time, emphasizing that sustainable forest management is key to addressing the climate and food crises. ‘K-Forest for All’ is a brand that symbolizes Korea’s leadership in international forest cooperation, representing the country’s commitment to sharing its best practices in forest management and policies.
The 2025 International Day of Forests has served as an opportunity to recall the role of forests in addressing global issues such as climate change and the food crisis.
