June 1, 2023 — The AFoCO Secretariat successfully organized the Technical Working Group Workshops on AFoCO Strategic Plan and Climate Action Plan from 31 May to 1 June 2023. The workshops took place at the AFoCO Secretariat in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and were attended by national experts and governmental officers from AFoCO member countries.
The primary objective of the workshop was to facilitate discussions on the AFoCO Strategic Plan 2024-2030 and the AFoCO Climate Action Plan 2025-2034 over the course of two days. Participants engaged in constructive exchanges, sharing their views on the draft documents and identifying cooperation needs and challenges specific to their countries. The first day of the workshop focused on exchanging views on the working draft of the Strategic Plan. On the second day, participants provided valuable comments on the working draft of the Climate Action Plan.
One of the key considerations during the workshops was to understand and reflect the different national circumstances of participating countries. The workshops served as a platform to enhance forest-based targets and measures, aligning them with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Designing and facilitating effective cooperation requires a comprehensive understanding of each country’s unique challenges, priorities, and capacities. By taking into account these diverse perspectives, AFoCO aims to foster an inclusive and tailored approach to regional forest cooperation.
During the workshop, two special speakers shared valuable insights on climate-related issues. Professor Suh-Yong Chung, Korea University, delivered a lecture on “Nature-based Solutions through Article 6.2 Cooperative Approaches in the Forest Sector and Implications for AFoCO.” Mr. Christopher Armitage, CEO of Global EverGreening Alliance, presented on “The Role of the Private Sector in Supporting Land Restoration.”
To ensure follow-up actions, the opinions and inputs received during the workshops will be compiled. The Technical Working Group will continue to discuss and refine the details until completion. These ongoing discussions will lay the foundation for the implementation of effective strategies and actions, promoting sustainable forest management and regional cooperation. The AFoCO’s commitment to fostering collaboration and addressing climate challenges through these workshops highlights the organization’s dedication to transforming regional forest cooperation into tangible outcomes by incorporating different national circumstances and priorities into the planning and implementation processes.
Contributed by Ms. Hansol Lee, Assistant Program Officer of Strategic Planning
