Bishkek & Dushanbe, April 22–30, 2025 — The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), led by Executive Director Mr. Chongho Park, completed a milestone high-level mission to the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan. The mission strengthened institutional partnerships, advanced carbon finance mechanisms, and positioned AFoCO as a strategic actor in regional climate and forest governance in Central Asia.
Elevating Leadership through Presidential-Level Engagement
In Kyrgyzstan, Executive Director Park participated in the high-level international conference “Global Mountain Dialogue for Sustainable Development”, hosted under the auspices of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic. This event was a major milestone in preparation for the upcoming Bishkek+25 Summit in 2027 and brought together leaders from governments, international organizations, and civil society.
President Sadyr Japarov opened the conference with a call for stronger global solidarity to protect mountain environments. Representing AFoCO, Executive Director Park delivered welcome remarks during the plenary session and presented AFoCO’s mountain forest restoration strategy.
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AFoCO also organized and moderated Session 8, titled “Restoration of Mountain Forests and Landscapes in the Face of Climate Change.” The session highlighted science-based solutions, regional best practices, and the importance of scaling investments in landscape restoration. Executive Director Park introduced AFoCO’s 10-Year Climate Action Plan and emphasized its role in bridging local actions with global climate goals.
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The delegation later joined President Japarov for a symbolic seedling planting ceremony at Ala-Archa National Park, reaffirming shared commitments to forest restoration. AFoCO’s participation in the presidential banquet elevated its regional visibility and enabled high-level diplomatic engagement.
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Delivering Results: CRU Ceremony under the ACORN Project
On April 23, AFoCO and Rabobank co-hosted a Carbon Removal Unit (CRU) Incentive Payment Ceremony under the ACORN agroforestry carbon project in Bishkek. This was a landmark event — the first of its kind in Central Asia — that directly recognized the carbon sequestration contributions of five smallholder farmers.
The Ceremony represented a breakthrough in linking grassroots forestry practices with global carbon markets. It exemplified how results-based climate finance can be made equitable, accessible, and impactful for rural communities. By empowering farmers as agents of verified climate action, the event validated the Acorn platform’s potential to serve as a scalable mechanism for inclusive carbon credit generation.
In a follow-up meeting, Rabobank announced plans to expand Acorn support to 12,000 farmers across the region by the end of 2025. AFoCO and Rabobank also reviewed funding disbursement mechanisms and institutional coordination strategies. Executive Director Park emphasized that the model is more than a carbon transaction framework—it is a foundation for sustainable livelihoods and community resilience.
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Strategic Engagement with Tajikistan: A Foundation for Long-Term Partnership
On April 28, Executive Director Park held a pivotal high-level meeting with the Forestry Agency of Tajikistan in Dushanbe, marking the formal initiation of bilateral collaboration following Tajikistan’s accession to AFoCO. The meeting identified key areas of cooperation:
– Restoration of riparian Tugai forests impacted by past land use;
– Establishment of fuelwood forests to reduce pressure on natural ecosystems;
– Expansion of nursery infrastructure to enhance seedling production;
– Implementation of agroforestry and shelterbelt systems in degraded lands;
– Promotion of urban forestry, aligned with Korean-supported models.
AFoCO introduced the Acorn carbon platform as a tool for delivering climate finance to rural communities in Tajikistan. Site visits to Tursunzoda, Dangara, and Nurek revealed significant potential for scalable smallholder-driven carbon projects. AFoCO also shared a draft Green Climate Fund (GCF) concept focused on afforestation, applied R&D, and integrated land management.
Importantly, the engagement with Tajikistan is not only a technical partnership but a strategic alliance in advancing regional climate objectives. With its diverse ecoregions, institutional commitment, and strong demand for restoration, Tajikistan offers fertile ground for piloting scalable, science-based forestry initiatives. AFoCO is committed to nurturing this partnership through tailored capacity-building, project development, and sustained technical cooperation.
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Strengthening Diplomatic Channels
AFoCO maintained close diplomatic coordination throughout the mission. In Bishkek, Executive Director Park met with Ambassador H.E. Gwang-Jae Kim, who emphasized alignment with Korea’s ODA strategy and expressed full support for AFoCO’s initiatives.
In Dushanbe, the delegation paid a courtesy call to Ambassador H.E. Jeon Sung Sik, who reaffirmed the Embassy’s readiness to support AFoCO’s activities, from stakeholder engagement to project visibility. The Ambassadors in both countries recognized the significance of AFoCO’s expanding footprint in the region and pledged continued support.
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Looking Ahead
This mission reinforced AFoCO’s role as a regional driver of climate-smart forestry:
– The CRU Ceremony validated a working model of equitable carbon finance.
– The Country Office in Kyrgyzstan, now operational, will serve as a coordination hub for Central Asia.
– The partnership with Tajikistan signals a strategic expansion into underutilized forest restoration landscapes.
– AFoCO’s diplomatic visibility was elevated through engagement with heads of state, ministers, and international platforms.
Next steps include:
– Operationalizing the Bishkek Country Office with a dedicated work plan;
– Scaling up Acorn implementation through regional partnerships;
– Refining and submitting a GCF concept with Tajik counterparts;
– Supporting Tajikistan’s full participation in the AFoCO Assembly in May 2025.
As AFoCO expands its presence in Central Asia, it remains dedicated to delivering science-backed, inclusive, and results-oriented forest solutions that empower communities and protect ecosystems for future generations.