Ulaanbaatar
The 12th Annual Forum of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization Underway
Society
Ulaanbaatar, May 14, 2025 /MONTSAME/. The 12th Annual Forum of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) commenced in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on May 13, 2025.
The 12th Annual Forum is taking place under the theme "Advancing the Capacity of the AFoCO through Private Sector Investment and Multilateral Cooperation." At the Forum, discussions are held on AFoCO's strategy, coordination of operations to combat climate change, funding, opportunities for multilateral collaboration, and implementation mechanisms. The AFoCO, consisting of 15 member countries, aims at promoting sustainable forest management, mitigating the effects of climate change, and enhancing regional cooperation.
In his opening speech of the Forum, Executive Director of the AFoCO Chongho Park emphasized the Organization's role in funding nature-based solutions. Additionally, representatives of the Forest Department of Mongolia presented the "Billions of Trees" National Movement of Mongolia and legal environment reforms, mentioning examples of private sector collaboration. Participants emphasized that the Forum is an important step in positioning AFoCO as a trusted regional platform for attracting investments and enhancing the climate resilience of forests, and expediting smart climate operations.
In recent years, nature-based solutions and partnerships between the public and private sectors have gained traction. Member countries are now exploring new and sustainable forms of investment that transcend traditional donor-based models. For example, interest in the “blended finance” model, which merges public and private investment, has surged, with countries needing to attract long-term funding to meet their climate commitments.
During the Forum, new projects and plans will be formulated as part of the 2024-2030 strategy of the AFoCO. Meanwhile, the progress of the 2026 project will be presented, and discussions on the involvement and partnership of the private sector will take place on May 15, 2025.
During the Forum, AFoCO aims at attracting co-investments from international development banks, impact investments, and carbon investments to strengthen strategic financial engagement with global corporations, creating a cohesive platform that fosters private sector technology and innovation.
