The Korea Forest Service (KFS) and AFoCO jointly held a commemorative event for the 2026 International Day of Forests on 19 March at Paju DMZ Forest under the theme “Forests and Economy.”
The event brought together around 80 participants, including H.E. Kim In-ho (김인호), the Minister of KFS, H.E. Kyeon Jong-ho (견종호), Climate Change Ambassador and Deputy Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassadors from Germany, Honduras, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Lao PDR, Mongolia, and Tajikistan.
The event served as a platform to highlight the public and economic value of forests while strengthening international understanding and cooperation. Discussions emphasized that forests are not only vital ecological assets but also key drivers of sustainable growth, job creation, local livelihoods, climate action, and community resilience.
During the event, AFoCO introduced CAMP (Climate Action Matching Platform) as a key platform to promote public participation in forest restoration by channeling financial resources into on the ground activities. Participants were also invited to explore the CAMP platform and its ongoing projects, encouraging engagement and support for forest restoration efforts.
In the opening session, participants watched video messages from KFS and AFoCO, which emphasized that forests are not only essential ecological assets, but also key drivers of sustainable growth, jobs, local livelihoods, climate action, and community resilience.
The program also featured brief remarks by diplomatic representatives and presentations on forest-based business models, including the case of Paju DMZ Forest as an example of integrated forestry, ecological tourism, and local entrepreneurship.
As part of the Green Link Campaign, running from 19 March to 5 April, KFS and AFoCO are promoting the CAMP, through which the public can support forest restoration through direct donations.
By linking forest conservation with economic value, international cooperation, and public participation, the event reaffirmed that forests are not only to be protected, but also to be recognized as a foundation for a greener and more sustainable future.
Contributed by Ms. Yujeong Chang (Assistant Program Officer) and Ms. Young Kim (Assistant Program Officer)