October 29, Seoul – The 2nd Friends of Asia and Asian Forests (FAAF) Forum, held at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, brought together prominent government officials from AFoCO member countries, corporate ESG leaders, and sustainability experts to advance sustainable development and climate resilience in Asia. Building on the inaugural FAAF Forum in February, this forum focused on strengthening collaboration between public and private sectors, promoting innovative financing for forest carbon projects, and accelerating climate adaptation initiatives across the region. Organized by the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), the forum is a vital component of FAAF’s ongoing mission to address climate challenges through sustainable forest management and corporate engagement.
The 2nd FAAF Forum provided an essential space for government and corporate leaders to share insights, discuss best practices, and explore strategic approaches to sustainable forest management, carbon neutrality, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Through this gathering, FAAF reinforces the role of public-private cooperation as an effective model for regional climate resilience and as a valuable contributor to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
(left bottom) Congratulatory Remark by Ms. Mira Lee, Deputy Minister of the Korea Forest Service;
(right top) Congratulatory Remark by Kerimaliev Zhanybek, Vice Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, Kyrgyz Republic;
(right bottom) Congratulatory Remark by Mr. Ho-kwon Choi, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District
The forum featured distinguished speakers from government, corporations, and international organizations, each underscoring the significance of partnerships in driving effective climate action.
Mr. Kook-Hyun Moon, Chairperson of the New Paradigm Institute, opened the forum by underscoring the importance of strong private-public partnerships. Reflecting on Korea’s reforestation journey, he highlighted sustainability as both an ethical imperative and a practical approach for long-term success.
Ms. Mira Lee, Deputy Minister of the Korea Forest Service, outlined Korea’s 2030 carbon neutrality goals, domestic reforestation initiatives, and international projects. She demonstrated how government-led efforts can complement private sector ESG goals, creating alignment across sectors and also contributing to the global SDGs.
Following her remarks, congratulatory messages were presented by Mr. Zhanybek Kerimaliev, Vice Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, Kyrgyz Republic; Mr. Ho-kwon Choi, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District; and Mr. Le Minh Hoan, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Vietnam.
The forum’s keynote speakers included:
Dr. Juliette Biao, Director of UN Forum on Forests (UNFF) highlighted forests’ vital role in achieving the SDGs and mitigating climate change, urging private sector support for sustainable sourcing and forest investments. She called for government policies to attract private financing and emphasized cross-sector collaboration for innovative restoration strategies.
Mr. Zhumaev Nurlan, Director General, Department of the Implementation of Ministry Decisions, Kyrgyz Republic, discussed Kyrgyzstan’s “Acorn” agroforestry project, which transforms degraded lands, enhancing biodiversity and livelihoods through cooperative models.
Mr. Delux Chhun, Director of Forestry Industry and International Cooperation Department Forestry Administration, Cambodia, shared Cambodia’s advances in voluntary carbon projects like REDD+ and ITMOs, stressing community benefit-sharing as key to sustainability.
A series of in-depth presentations provided attendees with actionable insights into forest conservation and climate finance, demonstrating pathways to achieve carbon neutrality and sustainable development through collaboration:
Presentation I. Building a Mutual Economy to Combat Deforestation in Asia – Mr. Kwang W. Kim
Mr. Kwang W. Kim, Chairman of the EoM Human Flourishing Foundation, introduced the Economics of Mutuality (EoM) model to align corporate profits with environmental goals. He highlighted the Maua project in Kenya as an example of creating mutual benefits between corporations and communities. Kim encouraged businesses to adopt this model across Asia to combat deforestation and support sustainable development.
Presentation II. Ensuring Integrity in Carbon Markets for Sustainable Development – Ms. Margaret N. Kim
Ms. Margaret N. Kim, CEO of Gold Standard, highlighted the importance of credible and transparent carbon markets to strengthen corporate ESG goals. Her presentation addressed the role of reliable carbon market structures in supporting sustainable forest management and fostering climate-resilient development.
Presentation III. AFoCO’s Achievements and the Way Forward – Mr. Sunpil Jin
Mr. Sunpil Jin, Vice Executive Director of AFoCO, outlined AFoCO’s achievements and vision to expand its impact globally. He highlighted FAAF’s progress since its inception and its role in forest conservation. Mr. Sunpil Jin emphasized strategic partnerships and innovative funding to strengthen FAAF’s leadership in sustainable forestry.
The 2nd FAAF Forum concluded with a closing remark by Dr. Chongho Park, Executive Director of AFoCO, highlighting the power of collaboration between governments, corporations, and communities in tackling Asia’s climate and forest challenges. Participants emphasized the importance of innovative financing, transparent carbon markets, and community-focused projects as crucial pathways toward sustainable forest management and climate resilience. By fostering partnerships and aligning business goals with environmental needs, FAAF underscored its role as a vital platform for mobilizing resources and setting a regional standard for sustainable development. The forum closed with a commitment from all sectors to accelerate joint efforts, ensuring that forests continue to provide essential ecosystem services and climate solutions across Asia and beyond.
