Here are congratulatory messages from ASEAN forestry ministers and representatives of international organizations to mark the entry of force of the ASEAN-ROK Agreement on Forest Cooperation. The Agreement took effect on August 5, laying the groundwork for the launching of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), a first-ever inter-governmental body in Asia dedicated to sustainable forest management, by 2014.

These messages were shared with the ASEAN Member States during the Aug. 29-30 Special ASEAN-ROK Ministerial Meeting on Forestry in Seoul.

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MESSAGE FROM MINISTER OF FORESTRY OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA

With warmest greetings from Jakarta, I wish to congratulate ASEAN Member States and the Republic of Korea upon entry into force of the Agreement between the Governments of the Member States of the ASEAN and the Republic of Korea on Forest Cooperation (AFoCo)."


The partnership should create mutual benefit, mutual recognition and mutual respect to all involved parties as well as for the greater ASEAN region towards sustainable forest
management and prosperous community.

Jakarta, August 2OI2
Minister of Forestry,
Zulkifli Hasan, S.E, M.M.





MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY OF LAO PDR

The collaboration we have enjoyed thus far through AFoCo has furnished substantial advances towards meeting our mutual forest related objectives. Based on the success of our past joint endeavors I expect that dialogue leading up to, and the eventual inception of AFoCO will enhance even further the cohesion of ASEAN members and this more engaging cooperative environment will foster greater harmonisation of our efforts towards developing sustainable forest management practices. This can only result in greater precision and effectiveness of action as we confront the multiple challenges of forest management in Asia.





MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT OF MALAYSIA

Malaysia is committed towards managing its forest resources sustainably. We continuously strive to maintain a minimum of 50 percent of the land area under forests and tree cover. The inception of the ASEAN-ROK Forestry Cooperation Programme is a good platform for enhancing sustainable forest management. Malaysia believes this cooperation will reinforce the effort of mitigating climate change and explore areas of relevant expertise that can be shared   between ASEAN and ROK.



Please click on the attachment below to see more of the congratulatory words.