General Sessions


Leading regional and international natural resource organizations will convene special plenary sessions each morning of Asia-Pacific Forestry Week, focusing on the three pillars of sustainable development: social, environmental, and economic.

  • Under the social pillar “forests and poverty” issues will be highlighted, with consideration given to resource tenure and access, decentralization, livelihoods and community participation.

  • Forests and climate change will top the agenda on the “environment day”, with consideration given to what forestry can do to mitigate climate change, as well as how forestry will need to adapt in response to climate change.

  • For the economic focus topics related to trade, timber certification, forest law enforcement and governance, and forestry investment will dominate.

    • The morning plenary sessions will give all participants an opportunity to gather and share perspectives on the most critical forestry issues facing the Asia-Pacific region today. In addition to these plenary sessions, numerous international and regional organizations and networks working in forest- and forestry-related issues are planning important events and activities throughout the week.


    Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission


    Asia-Pacific Forestry Week will be anchored around the 22nd Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission.

    The Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) is one of six regional forestry commissions supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. APFC offers a forum for member countries to share experiences in dealing with forestry challenges, advise FAO on regional forestry priorities, and initiate joint action on key forestry issues. APFC is currently comprised of 33 member countries, making it the region’s most inclusive inter-governmental body dealing with forestry. By supporting the Asia-Pacific Forestry Week concept, FAO seeks to expand the engagement of APFC members with a wider range of stakeholders to more effectively address the important challenges of forest management in the region.