On 13 March 2026, The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) and the Korea National Arboretum (KNA) held a signing ceremony in AFoCO secretariat to renew their partnership and advance cooperation in forest biodiversity conservation.
Building on initial agreement signed in March 2021, the renewed MOU reflects both institutions’ continued commitment to strengthening collaboration in research on forest plant species and the sustainable management of forest resources.
As the first agreement reaches its conclusion, the new phase places greater emphasis on expanding cooperation and fostering broader engagement, particularly with a wider range of stakeholders, including research institutions and private sector partners working in forest biodiversity conservation.
The ceremony brought together Dr. Chongho Park, Executive Director of AFoCO, and Mr. Youngsuk Im, Director General of the Korea National Arboretum, along with representatives from both organizations, marking a shared step forward in reinforcing institutional partnership.
Looking ahead, the renewed agreement is expected to serve as a platform for advancing joint initiatives and knowledge exchange in forest biodiversity conservation. By building on their respective expertise, both organizations aim to promote more integrated and impactful approaches to conserving forest ecosystems across the region.
Contributed by Ms. Young Kim (Assistant Program Officer) and Rujira Sassana (Fellowship Official)