There is growing momentum in forest and landscape restoration (FLR) worldwide, particularly in pursuit of achieving the goals and ambitions outlined inter alia by the Sustainable Development Goals, Global Forest Goals, Paris Agreement, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Land Degradation Neutrality, and the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. These global commitments and initiatives have inspired regional and national efforts to restore forests and landscapes and encourage their sustainable use for the benefit of people and the planet.
What is Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR)?
“an active process that brings people together to identify, negotiate and implement practices that restore an agreed optimal balance of the ecological, social and economic benefits of forests and trees within a broader pattern of land uses”.
- The Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration
FAO is supporting member countries in implementing the Regional Strategy and Action Plan for Forest and Landscape Restoration in Asia-Pacific, which was endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Forest Commission (APFC) in 2017.
Specifically, FAO’s support to members is provided through a Regional Technical Cooperation Project (Support scaling up forest and landscape restoration alongside the Hand in Hand Initiative), targeting 6 countries (Bangladesh, Lao PDR, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste) and the Forest and Landscape Restoration Mechanism supporting 5 countries (Cambodia, Fiji, Philippines, Pakistan, and Vanuatu). Together, these initiatives contribute to a meaningful transition towards more sustainable, inclusive, equitable and resilient agrifood systems through FLR.
Recognizing that forest and landscape restoration requires effective cross-sectoral and integrated approaches in view of achieving a better environment and life for all, FAO engages with broad partnerships involving diverse stakeholders and actions across a range of sectors. FAO's work with partners, inter alia, is to demonstrate and enhance the value of FLR investments which sustainably deliver ecosystem services that meet the socio-economic and environmental needs of a growing regional population.
Learn more about FLR Asia on our Overview page.
Regional programmatic framework for forest and landscape restoration in Asia