KFS Highlights “Korea Reforestation Archives” Registration on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register and Strengthens International Cooperation on Large-Scale Forest Fire Response

The Korea Forest Service (KFS), led by Minister LIM Sang-seop, dispatched a government delegation to the 20th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), held at the UN Headquarters in New York from May 5 to 9. The delegation shared Korea’s achievements in forest policy?including its remarkable reforestation efforts?and explored opportunities for international cooperation.

The UNFF is the largest annual international forum on forestry, convening every May at the UN Headquarters. Representatives from 193 member states, international organizations, and stakeholders gather to discuss the implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests (2017?2030) in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At this year’s session, the Korean delegation highlighted recent developments in national forest policy, including the “Forests for All” strategy and the revision of the 6th National Forest Plan. The delegation also stressed the importance of cross-border collaboration in addressing increasingly severe forest fires driven by climate change, citing Korea’s recent efforts to respond the large-scale fires in March.

The delegation further announced that Korea’s Reforestation Archives were inscribed in April on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register?marking the first such entry in the forestry sector. This achievement well received by participants. Delegations from Mongolia and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Secretariat praised Korea’s successful reforestation as “a policy model for Mongolia and other countries worldwide”.

The KFS also introduced the "Friends of Asia and the Forests" (FAAF) Forum, co-established with the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) to promote private sector investment in forests. The delegation announced plans to register the FAAF Forum as an official UNFF initiative.

“Korea’s experience, policy, and technology in restoring degraded forests into healthy ecosystems continue to inspire many developing countries.”, said Kim Young-hwan, Director of the Forest Strategy Research Division at the National Institute of Forest Science (NIFoS) and head of the Korean delegation. “As a leading country in forestry, we are committed to strengthening collaboration with other nations and international organizations to address the diverse challenges facing the sector.”