On August 19-20, 2024, the AFoCO Secretariat successfully held the Regional Strategic Workshop for the Sustaining an Abundance of Forest Ecosystems (SAFE) Project in Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop marked an important milestone as the SAFE Project 2024 expands its operations into four new countries: Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam.
The primary objective of the workshop was to harmonize forest management methodologies across these participating countries. By focusing on aligning baseline methodologies adapted to local conditions, the workshop aimed to ensure a coherent approach towards forest sustainability and community engagement. This platform proved vital in streamlining interpretations and applications of forest management techniques, further solidifying the foundation for long-term, sustainable forest ecosystems.
Participants and Presentations
The workshop brought together key figures including Mr. Alexis Corblin, the UNEP SAFE Project Manager, and project leaders from the four newly included countries. Lead Consultant Mr. Orlando Panganiban, representatives from the AFoCO Secretariat, and experts such as Ms. Anushree Bhattacharjee and Ms. Mariam Guth from UNEP-WCMC, alongside Ms. Nguyen Hanh Quyen and Dr. Daniel Marc Della Tore from SERVIR Southeast Asia, joined online.
Throughout the two-day event, national experts from Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam shared key presentations on initiatives such as the framework of Community Forest Management (CFM), the 5-year Operational Plan, and the Geospatial Application for Forest Restoration Planning. The Forest Monitoring System and the integration of Se.Plan—a geospatial tool used for forest restoration planning—were also highlighted, enhancing the scientific rigor of community forest management plans (CFMPs) under the SAFE Project.
Bhutan shared a draft of its Country-level Implementation Plan, with participants exchanging valuable insights on geospatial applications and monitoring frameworks. This collaborative effort strengthened the project’s capacity for data-driven forest management, ensuring long-term forest sustainability.
Collaboration and Future Directions
The AFoCO Secretariat expressed its sincere gratitude to all participants and collaborating organizations, including UNEP-WCMC and SEVIR-Mekong, for their contributions. This workshop has laid a strong foundation for enhanced regional cooperation in forest management and restoration efforts, fostering a collective commitment to preserving forest ecosystems in Southeast Asia. The expansion of the SAFE Project into these four countries represents a significant step forward in achieving the project’s goals.
Submitted by Ms. Minyoung Jeong, Assistant Program Officer
