AFoCO and Korea Forest Service celebrate International Day of Forests with Ambassadors

March 21, 2023 — AFoCO, in partnership with the Korea Forest Service and Sejong National Arboretum, celebrated the 2023 International Day of Forests on 21 March 2023 through a ceremonial tree-planting event at Sejong National Arboretum.

In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared March 21 to be the International Day of Forests to commemorate and promote the value of forests of all types. On this day, countries are encouraged to make local, national, and international efforts to prepare events involving forests and trees, such as tree-planting programs. The theme for 2023 is “Forests and health.” Healthy forests are essential for people and the planet — they act as natural filters, providing clean air and water, and they are home to vast biodiversity. They help to regulate our climate, cooling urban areas and absorbing one-third of greenhouse gas emissions. Forests are also closely linked with livelihoods and sustenance of many communities. Despite their ecological, economic, social and health benefits, forests continue to face the threats of deforestation and degradation.

The FAO Representative, Ambassadors and Representives of the dimplomatic missions of the AFoCO Parties and Observer countries noted the importance of forests and expressed support and willingness to work together to deal with forest-related issues.

(Top row, from left) Mr. Sunpil Jin, AFoCO Vice Executive Director; Mr. Hoang Nam Trung, First Secretary of Viet Nam Embassy; Dr. Park Eunsuk, Director-general of Korea Forest Service Intl. Affairs Bureau; Mr. Sigit Aris Prasetyo, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia; H.E. Gregório José da Conceicão Ferreira de Sousa, Ambassador of Timor-Leste; Dr. Gwangsu Ryu, President of Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute; Mr. Shengyao Tang, Head of FAO Partnership and Liaison Office; Dr. Youmi Lee, President of Sejong National Arboretum; Mr. Adrian Li, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore;

(Bottom row, from left) Ms. Jina Kim, Director of Korea Forest Service Intl. Affairs Bureau; Ms. Do Thi Bich Ngoc, Counsellor of Viet Nam Embassy; Mr. Han-young Kim, Honorary Consul-General of Korea-Bhutan Cooperation Foundation; Dr. Chongho Park, AFoCO Executive Director; H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Ambassador of the Philippines; H.E Aida Ismailova, Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic; H.E. Sunghyun Nam, Minister of the Korea Forest Service; H.E. Chring Botumrangsay, Ambassador of Cambodia; H.E. Datuk Lim Juay Jin, Ambassador of Malaysia; Ms. Nur Afiqah Arifin, Second Secretary of Embassy of Brunei Darussalam
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