Korea Forest Service Holds SAFE Initiative Regional Workshop in Cambodia

The Korea Forest Service (KFS), led by Minister PARK Eunsik, announced that it held a regional workshop on the Sustaining Abundance of Forest Ecosystem (SAFE) Initiative in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from Oct. 20 to 22, bringing together 20 participants from the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), and relevant agencies in Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam. The workshop was organized as part of the SAFE Initiative, a collaborative project between the KFS and UNEP. It aimed to share forest restoration experiences and best practices among participating countries and strengthen their practical capacity in restoration implementation and outcome monitoring. Participants shared key achievements from forest restoration projects in their respective countries and discussed technical approaches and know-how for implementing restoration projects, including forest genetic resource conservation, the production of high-quality seeds and seedlings, nursery management, and community engagement. They also exchanged technical knowledge to improve the effectiveness of monitoring restoration outcome, including measurement methods, data management, and the development of ecological and socioeconomic indicators. Through the SAFE Initiative, the KFS supports the restoration of degraded forest ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood improvement for local communities in four Asian countries: Bhutan, Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam. The KFS plans to apply the best practices and recommendations identified at the workshop to future project activities, thereby enhancing forest restoration outcomes and strengthening cooperation among participating countries. LEE Hyunju, Acting Director General of the International Affairs Bureau of the KFS, stated, “This workshop provided a valuable opportunity to share forest restoration experiences and expertise across Asia and explore practical ways to strengthen cooperation. We will continue to work closely with international organizations and participating countries to contribute to sustainable forest management and forest ecosystem restoration.”