Opening of Seoul World Forestry Congress... "International Community Joins Forces to Overcome Climate Crisis"

Choi Byung-am, the Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, emphasizes the role and importance of forests in the era of the climate crisis at the 15th World Forestry Congress held at COEX in Seoul on the 2nd. Photo by Korea Forest Service

[Asia Economy (Daejeon) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] “The Forest Assembly is an important occasion established to unite efforts in overcoming global crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification that we currently face through forests.” Forest Service Commissioner Choi Byung-am emphasized the significance of hosting the Forest Assembly during his welcoming speech at the opening ceremony of the 15th World Forestry Congress.

The Forest Service is hosting the Seoul Forest Assembly from the 2nd to the 6th at COEX, Seoul, under the theme “Building a Green, Healthy and Resilient Future with Forests.”

The Forest Assembly is an international event involving governments, international organizations, civil society groups, academia, businesses, and forestry and environmental experts from around the world. It is known as the “Forest Olympics” due to being the largest and most influential international conference in the forestry sector.

In particular, the Seoul Forest Assembly will be attended by over 12,500 participants from 144 countries, providing a platform for the international community to recognize consensus on forestry and environmental issues and explore solutions.

The opening ceremony began with a welcoming speech by Forest Service Commissioner Choi Byung-am. In his speech, Commissioner Choi stated, “The Forest Assembly will serve as an opportunity to advance international discussions on the climate crisis,” adding, “Above all, the Seoul Forest Assembly must become a platform that presents practical visions to countries vulnerable to climate change and those striving for forest restoration.”

He continued, “It is an undeniable fact that forests play a central role in solving the climate crisis,” and emphasized the need to clearly define what must be done in the forestry sector to address the climate crisis and to establish concrete action plans.

The Korea Forest Service will hold the "15th World Forestry Congress" from the 2nd to the 6th at COEX in Seoul. Schedule of the Forestry Congress by date. Provided by the Korea Forest Service.

Commissioner Choi also appealed that the Seoul Forest Assembly should be a venue to explore ways to fully utilize forests for recovery, reconstruction, and restoration of natural ecosystems after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Humanity has suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years,” said Commissioner Choi, “Some scientists warn that human destruction of forests reduces biodiversity and simultaneously increases the risk of infectious diseases such as COVID-19. In other words, we must not overlook that one of the answers to overcoming the pandemic crisis lies in ‘forests.’”

He added, “Forests act as a shield to prevent pandemics,” and “Moreover, forests greatly contribute to restoring our health and economy, which have suffered from the pandemic. Therefore, the world must immediately focus efforts on protecting and maintaining the original ecosystems of forests.”

He also highlighted the forestry sector’s role in contributing to natural ecosystem restoration by preventing forest area reduction and establishing a foundation for sustainable development through forests. Commissioner Choi introduced, “In 2019, the UN General Assembly declared 2021 to 2030 as the ‘UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’ and called for international cooperation on natural restoration. Through this, the UN set a goal to increase forest area from 31% to 34% of the world’s land area by 2030.”

He emphasized, “The Seoul Forest Assembly must once again gather strong global will, and through solidarity and cooperation, stop forest destruction, restore lost forests, and create a foundation for sustainable development worldwide through forests.”

Following Commissioner Choi’s welcoming speech, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed attended and delivered a message from the UN Secretary-General (via video), followed by opening speeches from Princess Basma Bint Ali of Jordan and Magdalena, Chair of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations. The event proceeded with keynote speeches by Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and President Moon Jae-in.

President Moon Jae-in attended the opening ceremony of the "15th World Forestry Congress" at COEX in Seoul on the 2nd and delivered a keynote speech. On this occasion, President Moon presented three directions for South Korea to contribute to the international community in the field of forestry. Photo by Korea Forest Service

Notably, on the opening day, President Moon Jae-in attended as the head of state of the host country and delivered the national vision and message related to forestry. At this occasion, President Moon presented three directions for Korea’s contribution to the international forestry community through the Forest Assembly.

First, Korea will participate in international efforts to restore and prevent degradation of tropical and subtropical forests. Second, just as Korea achieved forest recovery with international support in the past, it will engage in region-specific Official Development Assistance (ODA) for desertification areas and damaged tropical forests. Lastly, Korea will expand cooperation (REDD+) to prevent forest destruction in developing countries. These represent Korea Forest Service’s roles and international policy directions proposed by President Moon.

Meanwhile, considering the COVID-19 pandemic situation, the Seoul Forest Assembly is being held in a hybrid format combining in-person and virtual participation for the first time in history. Speakers at major official events will attend on-site, while some will participate online. For overseas participants unable to enter the country, real-time streaming services will be provided online.

The Forest Service plans to hold special events such as wildfire forums, the Peace Forest Initiative (PFI), and roundtable meetings at the Seoul Forest Assembly venue to share Korea’s excellent forestry policies with countries worldwide. At the same time, it will incorporate achievements in international forestry cooperation into official outcomes, aiming to further strengthen Korea’s international leadership in forestry amid the climate crisis and the COVID-19 era.