Forests across Asia do far more than store carbon or provide timber. They feed millions of households, stabilize local economies, and sustain cultures deeply rooted in nature. Recognizing these vital links, the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convened dialogues that brought together AFoCO Member Countries, development partners, and regional experts to explore the interconnections between forests, food, and people.
Zhengyao TANG, FAO Representative and Head of FAO Partnership and Liaison Officer delivering welcome remarks
Building the Dialogue: From Evidence to Action
The conversation began with the Partners Dialogue on Forests and Food, organized as part of AFoCO Week 2025. The event gathered representatives of AFoCO Member Countries, experts and practitioners from across Asia and beyond to examine how forest ecosystems directly and indirectly contribute to food security and nutrition, and how inclusive, community-based approaches can be scaled up at the regional level.
FAO underlined that more than five billion people globally depend on forest and non-timber products for food, fuel, and medicine, emphasizing the need to integrate forest-based foods into national food systems. CIFOR-ICRAF shared research highlighting that rapidly changing diets and rising demand for agricultural products are placing increasing pressure on cultivated lands. Integrated landscape approaches that connect forests, farms, and water systems were identified as essential to maintaining both productivity and ecological balance.
Sooyeon Laura Jin of FAO (left) and Dr. Sonya Dewi of CIFOR-ICRAF delivering presentations
Evidence from the Ground
Several case presentations illustrated how communities and organizations are transforming the forest–food nexus into practical solutions. IFAD presented examples from Viet Nam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, showing that agroforestry systems enhance smallholder resilience when land tenure and financial access are secured. FAO highlighted the significance of walnut forests in Central Asia as a key source of nutrition and income, while also noting challenges in market structures and value-chain development. Lessons from Papua New Guinea demonstrated how community-led conservation initiatives can promote both forest protection and enterprise development, including nut and poultry production.
Interactive session led by Dr. Kikang Bae of AFoCO (left), featuring active interventions from Member Countries on key forest–food policy issues (right)
Building on these insights, an interactive session led by Dr. Kikang Bae, Team Leader of the AFoCO Secretariat, invited interventions from AFoCO Member Countries to identify key policy and investment priorities for sustainable forest management (SFM). Representatives shared country perspectives on bridging forest and food systems to strengthen community resilience and rural economies. Myanmar emphasized the need for policy coordination between forestry and agriculture sectors to achieve land-use efficiency and enhance adaptive capacity. Mongolia highlighted the importance of investing in SFM that delivers multiple co-benefits including carbon sequestration, value-chain development for wood and non-timber forest products (NTFPs), rural employment, and climate resilience particularly given the country’s harsh climate and slow-growing boreal forests.
Forests as Foundations of Well-being
In his closing remarks, AFoCO Executive Director Dr. Chongho Park highlighted that forests are central to human well-being, supporting food systems, livelihoods, and biodiversity. He underscored that forests contribute not only through direct products such as fruits and nuts but also by maintaining vital ecological services, including water regulation and climate stabilization. The dialogue reinforced the idea that innovation, investment, and inclusive governance are key to linking nutrition and income generation, ultimately building stronger and more resilient communities.
AFoCO Executive Director Dr. Chongho Park delivers closing remarks, emphasizing the vital role of forests in supporting food systems, livelihoods, and biodiversity.
Bringing the Message to Policymakers
Building on these outcomes, AFoCO and FAO brought the key messages of the Partners Dialogue to the High-Level Dialogue on Healthy Forests and Foods, held during the 31st Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) on 4-7 November 2025 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The session gathered ministers, senior officials, and international organizations to advance the regional agenda under the theme “Healthy Forests Feed the Future.”
During the discussions, AFoCO Vice Executive Director Mr. Sunpil Jin emphasized the importance of integrating forest management into national food security strategies. He noted that forests sustain diverse food systems, generate income and energy, and contribute to cultural and traditional practices. Presenting the findings of the Partners Dialogue, AFoCO called on countries to integrate forest-based nutrition into biodiversity and climate plans, strengthen coordination between forestry and agriculture, improve monitoring systems to attract investment, and develop financing mechanisms that directly benefit smallholders and community forestry groups.
The dialogue concluded with broad support for regional cooperation, inclusive investment, and empowerment of women and youth in forest enterprises, reaffirming that forest health and food security are inseparable priorities.
AFoCO Vice Executive Director Mr. Sunpil Jin delivers remarks at the High-Level Dialogue during the APFC (left) and the AFoCO delegation attending the session (right).
A Shared Vision for Forests and People
Across these dialogues, one message resonated clearly: protecting forests and feeding people are not competing priorities but mutually reinforcing goals.
Together, AFoCO and FAO in partnership with governments, communities, and regional organizations are laying the foundation for a movement where healthy forests sustain healthy diets, livelihoods, and landscapes, and where Asia’s experiences can inspire global action to nourish both people and the planet.