The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), in partnership with the Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute (KOAGI) and the Baekdudaegan Global Seed Vault (BGSV), is committed to strengthening seed conservation capacity across Asia. The AFoCO-KOAGI “Keep Eternally Your Seeds for Future (KEYS for Future)” Program, is designed to enhance the genetic resource management capabilities of member countries. A key feature of this program is the opportunity to deposit seeds at BGSV the world’s only permanent storage facility dedicated to wild plant seeds, built to endure both natural and human-induced disasters.
This two-week intensive program, held from 9 to 20 June 2025, introduced participants to the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum (BDNA), managed by the Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute (KoAGI) a public organization under the Korea Forest Service established to oversee national arboreta in diverse climates, promote the garden industry, and revitalize garden culture. The BDNA and the Global Seed Vault were established in 2018.
11 participants from 9 countries; Bhutan, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos PDR, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, Fiji and Samoa were gather.