On June 10, 2025, the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) convened the inaugural meeting of the Seed Management Working Group at AFoCO Secretariat in Seoul, Republic of Korea. This meeting, conducted under the umbrella of the Asian Forest Living Lab Initiative, brought together representatives from 11 countries – Bhutan, Cambodia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Viet Nam – to advance regional cooperation on wild tree seed conservation and restoration.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Tongil Kim, Director of the Planning and Operations Division at AFoCO, emphasized the importance of developing a regionally coordinated seed management system. He noted that effective seed and seedling systems are essential to large-scale forest restoration and climate adaptation, particularly with native species. Dr. Kim further highlighted that the Working Group’s mission aligns with the AFoCO Climate Action Plan (2025–2034), focusing on applied research, capacity building, and cross-border collaboration.
In a keynote address, Dr. Hoe Jin Kim, Senior Manager of the Baekdudaegan Global Seed Vault (BGSV), introduced Korea’s seed conservation infrastructure. She presented the “black box” storage system, the 100-year viability monitoring project, and the open-access database SIA Pedia, which provides ecological and morphological information on indigenous species. She also emphasized that BGSV functions not only as a physical seed repository, but also as a platform for regional cooperation in biodiversity conservation, research, and disaster preparedness.
Ms. Aomjitr Sena, Fellowship Official of Capacity Building and Evaluation Team, presented the concept note and draft structure of the Seed Management Working Group. Its key objectives are:
1. To support long-term conservation of native tree seeds through the BGSV.
2. To provide a collaborative platform for the exchange of technology, innovation, and best practices.
3. To strengthen policy implementation capacity and promote science-based decision-making.
The proposed long term action plan (2025–2030) includes phases for foundation building, capacity development, collaborative research, and evaluation. The Republic of Korea expressed its hope to serve as the Lead Country, and this aspiration was welcomed by the participants.
Participants shared diverse perspectives rooted in national realities. The discussion revealed technical, institutional, and ecological challenges that must be addressed for effective implementation:
– Access and Legal Restrictions in Seed Collection: Representatives from Lao PDR and Thailand raised concerns about legal and logistical barriers to collecting seeds in natural forests.
– Climatic Compatibility and Seed Viability: Delegates questioned whether tropical species could be stored long-term in Korea’s temperate seed vault.
– Post-Deposit Utilization and Ownership: Some participants asked whether deposited seeds would remain accessible for restoration in their home countries.
– Export and Import Procedures: The Philippines shared a successful experience of seed transport to BGSV with minimal legal hurdles.
– Expanding the Scope of Cooperation: Kazakhstan proposed expanding the group’s scope to include research and exhibitions.
– Institutional Role Clarification: Myanmar and Cambodia emphasized the need to distinguish forest tree seed management from agricultural seed systems.
To guide implementation, AFoCO shared two key follow-up actions:
– Countries were invited to recommend appropriate partner organizations and nominate a Working Group Focal Point.
– A revised concept note and detailed meeting minutes will be circulated for feedback and confirmation.
The meeting laid a strong foundation for a practical and inclusive Working Group. By combining regional coordination, scientific rigor, and local ownership, the Seed Management Working Group is expected to become a central mechanism in AFoCO’s long-term strategy for forest restoration and biodiversity conservation.
Submitted by Kiwon Kim, Program Officer, Capacity-Building and Evaluation Team