Korea and France Invest EUR 3.5 Million to Strengthen Asia’s Forest Fire Management Capacity
-Launching Ceremony of the FFMA Initiative and the 13th Session of the AFoCO Assembly Held in Seoul-

The Korea Forest Service, led by Minister KIM In-ho, announced on the 29th that it attended the 13th Session of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) Assembly, held from October 29 to 30 at the DMC Tower in Sangam, Seoul, to discuss strategic directions for forest cooperation in response to the climate crisis.
* Asian Forest Cooperation Organization : an intergovernmental organization established in 2018 under the initiative of the Government of the Republic of Korea to promote regional cooperation on forestry issues such as climate change and desertification in Asia.

Prior to the Assembly, Mr. KIM In-ho, Minister of the Korea Forest Service and Mr. Bertrand Jadot, Deputy ambassador of the French Embassy in Korea held a launching ceremony for the “Forest Fire Management in Asia (FFMA)” Initiative, jointly advanced by Korea, France, and AFoCO.

The FFMA Initiative is a joint investment of EUR 3.5 million (approximately KRW 5.8 billion) over five years by Korea and France to enhance forest fire management capacity in emerging Asian countries. The Initiative aims to nurture forest fire experts and serve as a model of practical cooperation for international solidarity in the era of climate crisis.

The Assembly gathered around 70 participants, including representatives from 16 Member Countries, the AFoCO Secretariat, and partner organizations. Delegates discussed detailed strategies for implementing AFoCO’s mid- to long-term plans and expanding financial resources to strengthen the region’s response to the climate crisis.

On the sidelines of the Assembly, the Korea Forest Service held a bilateral meeting with Mongolia to discuss future cooperation. The two sides agreed to work together to showcase the achievements of the Korea?Mongolia Greenbelt Project, which has been implemented since 2007, at the 17th Session of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 17) to be held in Mongolia in 2026.

KIM In-ho, Minister of the Korea Forest Service, stated, that“AFoCO, established under Korea’s leadership, serves as a key platform to tackle global climate and forest crises,” adding, “With France joining this endeavor, we look forward to developing more diverse and innovative forest cooperation policies in the years ahead.”