Global forestry leaders to discuss how to create green future in Seoul

Choi Byeong-am, minister of Korea Forest Service / Courtesy of Korea Forest Service

World Forestry Congress to be held in Seoul May 2-6

By Baek Byung-yeul

Choi Byeong-am, minister of the Korea Forest Service (KFS), said the 15th World Forestry Congress (WFC), which will take place in Seoul from May 2 to 6, will bring global forestry leaders together to share forest and environmental issues such as climate change and find ways to address them.

"The World Forestry Congress, held every six years, is the largest and most significant gathering of members of the world's forestry sector. The congress is a forum for exchanging views and experiences on all aspects of forestry and the environment, including climate change and biodiversity. The congress can help identify actions to solve pending issues," Choi told The Korea Times in a written interview.

For the forthcoming event, Choi said the KFS is making its best efforts to ensure that the WFC is carried out safely and without problems.

"To protect foreign entrants from COVID-19 infection, the KFS has consulted with the relevant authorities and prepared a case-by-case quarantine manual. The agency plans to respond quickly to all emergencies," he said.

"As the host country, the Republic of Korea will ensure that the 15th World Forestry Congress is held in a venue with low risk of infection. Robust preventive measures will be in place, allowing for in-person meetings and interactions among the participants. We are very much looking forward to seeing you in person at the Congress, which will be bustling with life, energy and lively exchanges."

The minister said prominent figures will join the congress to share forest-related issues.

"United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the heads of various other international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), will play a major role and participate in the congress in various forms," he said.

"On the government side, forest and related ministries from more than 40 countries, including the prime minister of Barbados, will attend. All forest stakeholders, such as government officials, international and civic groups, academia and businesses, will attend this global gathering to review and discuss policies on forests and the environment."

A screen in New York's Times Square promotes the 15th World Forestry Congress to be held in Seoul from May 2 to 6, in this photo provided on April 27. Courtesy of Korea Forest Service

Choi said that Korea's forests, which were restored through voluntary efforts of the entire nation in the 1970s and government policies, enabled Korea to become a leading country in the forest sector.

"In the 1970s, our country accomplished reforestation through people's voluntary efforts and the government's policy support. The destruction of forests brought about avalanches, floods and other disasters, and reforestation began when people started to notice the importance of our forests," he said.

He emphasized that "the trees must be backed up with long-term support until they are fully grown" and it is on this point that many countries' reforestation efforts fail.

"The government also supported this movement through various policies. For instance, by implementing the tree management system, it started to analyze the survival rate of trees in many regions. Illegal logging was prohibited, and the public officers with the highest planting rates were promoted or received incentives from the government. The Korean government began to make a better environment for tree growth by introducing eco-friendly policies," he elaborated.

Based on its experience, the KFS now passes on its reforestation techniques with other countries.

"Korea's successful reforestation story is recognized worldwide. As a result, many researchers and policymakers want to visit Korea to see the sites and request information about reforestation techniques. In the earlier stages, the KFS shared some reforestation know-how with Mongolia and China, which are geologically close, to help prevent deforestation," he said.

"The KFS is currently handing down reforestation techniques to Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries, as well as countries in Central Asia, South America and Africa. In the future, the KFS plans to distribute its superior forest management policy worldwide and will be a leading country in advanced world forestry issues."

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