KFS Hosts the 13th Korea-Australia Forestry Cooperative Committee

The Korea Forest Service (KFS), led by Minister LIM Sang-seop, hosted the 13th Korea-Australia Forestry Cooperative Committee (FCC) on June 24th.

This 13th meeting was held virtually, with NAM Song Hee, Directer General of the International Affairs Bureau, and Sarah-Jane McCormack, First Assistant Secretary of the Agvet Chemicals, Fisheries, Forestry & Engagement Division, participating as head delegates to exchange forest policies and key areas of cooperation. In particular, both sides agreed to cooperate on the national level for legal timber trade and promotion of timber use, including recent policies, promotion of timber use, seed conservation, and multilateral forestry cooperation.

Australia is a key forestry cooperation partner, which has approximately 130 million hectares of forest and a timber industry contributing around 23 billion AUD (20 trillion KRW) annually to its economy.

Since the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on forestry cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) of Australia in July 1997, the KFS has continued close collaboration in areas including sustainable forest management, forest protection, and trade in forest products. The Forestry Cooperative Committee is held biennially in accordance with the MoU.

Director General NAM Song Hee stated, "Australia is a key partner in forest cooperation, and we hope to further strengthen forest cooperation which enhances the values of forests through forest policies for climate change adaptation, sustainable timber use, and seed conservation for the benefit of future generations."