Seoul, Republic of Korea – June 20, 2025 – AFoCO facilitated a five-day Knowledge Exchange from June 16 to 20 in Seoul under the Mongolia Green Resilient Landscapes project in collaboration with the World Bank. The training was designed to strengthen Mongolia’s capacity in forest carbon accounting and MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification), in alignment with the country’s climate commitments and initiatives such as the Billion Trees National Movement.
The program brought together Mongolian government officials, academic researchers, and forest professionals from institutions including the National Forestry Agency (NFA), National University of Mongolia, Mongolian University of Life Science, Mongolian University of Science and Technology, and various ministries.
The main objective of this training is to increase the proficiency of participants in carbon accounting and develop the necessary expertise to actively engage in forest carbon projects markets.
Technical Sessions and Practical Insights
Participants attended a series of expert-led lectures covering a wide range of topics, including carbon sequestration potential of Mongolia’s Billion Trees National Movement, methods of forest carbon measurement, the development of emission factors, Korea’s forest restoration policies, and carbon market mechanisms under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Institutions such as Seoul National University, Korea University, Kookmin University, NIFoS, and KOFPI contributed to the training as key knowledge providers.
The training also included deep dives into Korea’s National Forest Inventory system, forest carbon accounting, and digital forest monitoring technologies, offering Mongolia valuable references for improving its own forest carbon strategies.
Field-Based Learning and Site Visits
To complement the lecture sessions, participants conducted field visits to key forest research and monitoring institutions, including the Korea National Arboretum, National Institute of Forest Science (NIFoS), National Instrumentation Center for Environmental Management (NICEM) at Seoul National University, and the National Forest Satellite Information Application Center. These visits showcased Korea’s practical systems for long-term ecological monitoring, satellite-based forest data analysis, and biomass assessment.
Program Wrap-Up and Reflections
On the final day, participants revisited the key learnings from the week through a recap session, reflecting on the technical insights and field experiences gained throughout the program. The training concluded with a certificate awarding ceremony, recognizing the participants’ active engagement and commitment. The session marked a meaningful end to the Knowledge Exchange, reinforcing the importance of continued learning and collaboration.
The program concluded with a visit to the Forest Therapy Center at Seoul Grand Park, where participants experienced guided forest therapy activities, highlighting the role of forests in promoting public health and urban well-being.
Building Capacity for the Future
By the end of the training, participants had gained comprehensive insights into the application of standardized methodologies for forest carbon accounting and came to better understand how to contribute to the development, monitoring, and verification of carbon projects aligned with international standards.
Contributed by Hyemin Yoon, Intern, Strategic Planning Team, AFoCO