KFS Hosts the 7th Korea-Cambodia Forestry Cooperative Committee in Seoul

The Korea Forest Service (KFS) hosted the 7th Korea-Cambodia Forestry Cooperative Committee (FCC) meeting on October 29 at the Lotte City Hotel Mapo in Seoul.

The KFS and Cambodia’s Forestry Administration (FA) have been close partners since signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in June 2008. Held biennially under the MOU, the FCC has served as a platform for fostering collaboration in sustainable forest management, Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects, and efforts within the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) framework.

This year’s FCC meeting addressed a range of shared priorities in forestry cooperation, including REDD+ collaboration, the operation of the Korea-Mekong Forest Cooperation Center (KMFCC), revisions to the Korea-Cambodia Forestry Cooperation MOU, forest fire management, seed conservation, and more.

Mr. Chan Ponika, Deputy Director General of the Forestry Administration, stated, "Korea has been a vital partner in Cambodia’s forestry sector, and I look forward to deepening our cooperation. We will explore opportunities for collaboration on the sub-national REDD+ project, which aligns with Korea’s interests."

Dr. NAM Song Hee, Director General of the International Affairs Bureau of the Korea Forest Service, said, "We would like to request Cambodia’s active support in completing the establishment of the Cambodia-Korea Forest Recreational Site in 2025. We also anticipate further cooperation on sub-national level REDD+ initiatives as we work toward achieving carbon neutrality."