Bangkok, Thailand – The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) participated in the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) Capacity Building Workshop on Forest Financing for the Asia-Pacific, held from 20 to 23 January 2026 at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop was organized by the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat (UNFFS) through the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network (GFFFN), and AFoCO was invited as the representative regional partner of Asia-Pacific region.
The four-day workshop brought together key international partners, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, Global Environment Facility (GEF), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Bank. The event was designed to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of countries and stakeholders across the Asia-Pacific region regarding the global forest financing landscape and available funding mechanisms.
Thematic Focus Area
The workshop was structured around daily thematic focuses:
Day 1: Overview of Forest Financing: Comprehensive overview of the current state, challenges, and pathways towards sustainable forest financing, featuring presentations from the World Bank, ITTO, GFFFN, FAO, and CIFOR-ICRAF.
Opening session of the UNFF Capacity Building Workshop by Yan Lang of UNFFS
Day 2: Global Multilateral Financing Sources: Focus on multilateral financing mechanisms available for the Asia-Pacific region, with presentations from GEF, World Bank, GCF, ADB, JICA, and ITTO.
Presentation on GEF’s financial for forests, overview of different financing windows by Taeyeon Kim of GEF
Day 3: Private Finance and Financing Instruments: Sessions on private sector engagement, blended finance, biodiversity credits, and innovative financing mechanisms.
Presentation on Introduction of Biodiversity Finance, Preparing a Biodiversity finance plan Mobilizing resources from Public Sector and Private sector by Annabelle Trinidad of BIOFIN
Day 4: Developing Sample Projects: Interactive group work focused on developing forest financing strategies and practical applications.
Presentation on Developing a Forest Financing Strategy by Stefano Pagiola of World Bank.
AFoCO’s Participation and FAAF Presentation
AFoCO was invited in recognition of its leadership in forest financing especially through the Friends of Asia and Asian Forests (FAAF) platform. On Day 3, AFoCO delivered a presentation titled “Mobilizing Finances from the Private Sector – Experience of the FAAF Platform,” demonstrating how FAAF promotes blended finance as a critical tool for scaling up inclusive and high-integrity investments in forests and landscapes throughout Asia.
AFoCO further highlighted that the FAAF is a practical example of regional private sector mobilization for sustainable forest management. Key workshop discussions emphasized that persistent finance gaps remain a challenge, with limited private investment due to weak pipelines, unproven models, and long investment periods. Blended finance was identified as a critical tool for unlocking new era of investment sources.
Looking Ahead
• Multiple financing mechanisms exist, but coordination and alignment with country priorities (NDCs, NBSAPs) are essential.
• Private sector engagement requires clear frameworks, de-risking mechanisms, and innovative instruments.
• Public/private domestic financing accounts for the largest share of forest financing, contrary to common assumptions about ODA.
• Countries need comprehensive forest financing strategies that blend multiple priority areas and financing sources.
• Capacity building combined with private sector engagement can create sustainable financing mechanisms.
Contributed by Hannah Suh, Strategic Planning Team, AFoCO