Building a Platform for Continued Dialogue on Indo-Pacific Cooperation
On 4 December, as part of its official mission, the AFoCO delegation paid a courtesy call on H.E. Matt Kean, Chair of Australia’s Climate Change Authority (CCA), in Sydney, Australia, to discuss potential cooperation in the fields of forests and climate across the Indo-Pacific region.
The meeting was convened to introduce AFoCO’s mandate and scope of work, and to explore structured avenues for cooperation based on shared interests. Discussions were held in a constructive and open atmosphere, with both sides recognizing the importance of regional collaboration in advancing climate and nature-related objectives.
During the meeting, Mr. Chongho Park, Executive Director of AFoCO, presented the organization’s strategic direction and implementation capacity, guided by the AFoCO Strategic Plan (2024–2030) and the Climate Action Plan (2025–2034). He emphasized AFoCO’s role as a government-led, implementation-oriented cooperation platform, operating in alignment with international climate and biodiversity frameworks and responding to the needs of its member countries.
The two sides exchanged views on opportunities to expand cooperation in forest and nature-based solutions (NbS) across the Indo-Pacific region, and discussed possible directions for further engagement. Key areas of potential collaboration included:
- Nature-based solutions (NbS) and cooperation related to nature and carbon markets
- Science- and technology-based collaboration on forest and coastal ecosystems, including blue carbon
- Landscape restoration and community-based sustainable livelihood support
The CCA expressed interest in AFoCO’s regional cooperation approach and implementation experience. Both sides agreed to maintain communication through working-level channels and to explore opportunities for collaboration around areas of mutual interest in a phased and pragmatic manner.
The meeting is expected to contribute to strengthening dialogue and expanding cooperative partnerships in the fields of forests, climate, and nature across the Indo-Pacific region, building on AFoCO’s operational experience and regional network.