KFS Shares Forest Cooperation Achievements in Asia and Expands Use of Advanced Technologies

The Korea Forest Service(KFS) announced that it will attend the 2026 AFoCO Annual Technical Workshop(ATW), held at the Seoul Garden Hotel from Oct. 26 to 27, to review the achievements of forest cooperation projects in Asia and discuss ways to expand international forest cooperation using advanced technologies such as satellite data and artificial intelligence(AI). Asian Forest Cooperation Organization(AFoCO) is a treaty-based intergovernmental organization that is committed to strengthening forest cooperation and taking concrete actions to promote sustainable forest management and address the impacts of climate change. About 100 people will attend the workshop, including officials in charge of projects from the Korea Forest Service, the AFoCO Secretariat, and 15 Member Countries, as well as representatives from the Green Climate Fund(GCF), the Global Carbon Council(GCC), domestic and international research institutions, and private companies. The workshop will share the progress and best practices of 26 forest cooperation projects, including 18 projects supported by the Korea Forest Service through Official Development Assistance(ODA). Key areas of discussion include forest restoration and conservation, improving local community incomes and the circular bioeconomy, forest disaster management, biodiversity conservation, and agroforestry. In particular, participants will share experiences from various projects, including restoration of areas affected by forest fires in Mongolia, forest restoration and livelihood improvement for local communities in Cambodia, and community-based forest restoration in Lao PDR. They will also explore ways to strengthen forest management capacity in Member Countries. On the second day, participants will focus on ways to develop forest carbon projects using forest information and advanced technologies. GCF and the GCC will introduce policies and methodologies related to international carbon markets and forest carbon projects. The National Forest Satellite Information & Technology Center and climate technology companies in Korea will share cases of using satellite data and A.I.-based carbon MRV technologies. Meanwhile, following AFoCO's accreditation as a GCF Accredited Entity this year, KFS plans to strengthen cooperation to link the achievements of existing ODA projects with international climate finance and private investment, and to expand forest restoration and greenhouse gas reduction projects in Member Countries. Lee Hyun ju, Acting Director General of International Affairs Bureau at KFS, said, “This workshop is a meaningful opportunity to share the achievements and experiences of forest cooperation projects implemented in Asian countries and to explore future directions for cooperation.” She added, “KFS will strengthen forest management capacity in Member Countries and expand practical cooperation projects linked to international climate finance by using Korea’s experience in forest restoration and advanced forest technologies, including satellite data and artificial intelligence.”