The Korea Forest Service (KFS) announced its active participation in the 21st session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF21), held at the United Nations Headquarters from May 11-15. The KFS attended to showcase its significant forest policy achievements and foster deeper international cooperation in global forestry management.
As the premier global forestry event, UNFF21 convened representatives from 193 member states, international organizations, and key stakeholders. The forum primarily focused on advancing the implementation of the UN Strategic Plan for Forests, a critical framework for achieving the United Nations’ overarching Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Korean delegation actively contributed to discussions on vital policy agenda items, including the crucial implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests and the ambitious Global Forest Goals. Notably, the delegation underscored Korea’s robust international cooperation, particularly its partnerships with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) in critical areas such as large-scale forest fire management and supporting global forest strategy initiatives.
Beyond the main sessions, the Korea Forest Service, in collaboration with the FAO and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), successfully co-hosted a compelling side event. This session delved into pressing challenges hindering sustainable wood utilization, specifically addressing issues like limited public awareness, prevailing institutional barriers, and insufficient investment in the sector.
During this impactful event, the agency put forward a significant proposal: the establishment of an ‘International Day of Sustainable Wood.’ To garner international support and invaluable feedback, KFS representatives engaged in productive meetings with key figures from international organizations, including the FAO and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), elaborating on the proposal’s vision and objectives.
Nam Song-hee, who led the Korean delegation and serves as Director General of the International Affairs Bureau at the Korea Forest Service, emphasized the profound importance of sustainable wood production and utilization. She highlighted these practices as fundamental strategies for significantly enhancing forests’ natural carbon absorption capacity and simultaneously revitalizing local economies.
“We are optimistic that the crucial discussions on sustainable wood use, pioneered by Korea at this United Nations Forum on Forests, will continue to build considerable momentum and resonance across the international community,” Nam concluded.
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