Forest data without borders: Asia-Pacific nations unite to strengthen their forest data

As the world faces increasing climate and biodiversity crises, transparent forest data is more essential than ever. In the Asia-Pacific region, where forests support over 450 million people and play a crucial role in climate resilience, sustainable development, and biodiversity conservation, the need for reliable national forest information is particularly urgent.

In response to this growing need, a milestone regional workshop took place in Bangkok, bringing countries together around a shared goal: improving the accuracy, comparability, and accessibility of forest data across the region. Over three days, representatives from 12 Asia-Pacific countries gathered under the banner "Forest Data Without Borders: Knowledge Exchange on National Forest Inventories in the Asia-Pacific". Hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the event represented an important milestone in the region’s efforts to reinforce efforts to ensure transparent forest data and lay the foundation for a future Asia-Pacific national forest Inventory network.

Held at in Bangkok, the workshop brought together forestry officials, technical experts, and institutional partners from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam as well as regional partners such as Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO).

The event also marked the official launch of the National Forest Inventory – Learning Journey, a new self-paced e-learning path developed by FAO and available in English, Spanish and French.

Why do forest data and inventories matter?

In the Asia-Pacific context, where ecosystems range from mangroves and tropical rainforests to dry forests and mountainous woodlands, the diversity of forest types presents unique challenges. NFIs tailored to national contexts allow countries to assess these varied ecosystems accurately and make informed decisions that support both national priorities and international commitments. in the Asia-Pacific region are lifelines — home to extraordinary biodiversity and vital to the livelihoods of over 450 million people. Yet, pressures from deforestation, land degradation, and unsustainable land use continue to threaten these ecosystems. Forest monitoring — particularly national forest inventories (NFIs) — has become increasingly critical in understanding and managing this change.

NFIs offer countries a scientifically sound, field-based method to assess the status, trends, and potential of forest ecosystems. Despite recent advances in remote sensing and artificial intelligence, NFIs remain the only way to generate detailed, ground-truthed data — including species composition, biomass, forest degradation, and soil conditions — that satellites alone cannot fully capture. Transparent, consistent, and high-quality forest data forms the basis for national climate reports, REDD+ strategies, biodiversity conservation plans, and evidence-based policymaking.

A collaborative space for dialogue and action

The event opened on 25 March with remarks by Rungnapa Pattanawiboon, Advisor to the Director-General of Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and Sheila Wertz, Senior Forestry Officer and Forestry Team Leader at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

Pattanawiboon highlighted the national relevance of forest inventories and the value of regional collaboration: "The work we do in national forest inventories is crucial. Not only for sustainable forest management but also for addressing global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity conservation. NFI enables the Thai government, for example, to make informed decisions regarding conservation efforts, and effective strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change. This event is an opportunity for us to exchange experiences, share best practices, and explore new ways to collaborate in strengthening our National Forest Monitoring Systems (NFMS)."

Wertz echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the significance of regional collaboration: “Forest cover loss continues to be a challenge in the region. Transparent and reliable forest monitoring is not only essential for climate action under the Paris Agreement but also for inclusive and sustainable land-use planning.”

The agenda aimed to help participants share knowledge, work together, and plan next steps. It followed three main themes:

• Day 1: Knowledge exchange
  Focused on peer-to-peer learning and experience sharing, this day included regional surveys, poster sessions, and group discussions designed to take stock of NFI status, identify challenges and opportunities, and lay the foundation for collaboration. Countries highlighted their NFI practices and aspirations through visual and interactive sessions.
• Day 2: Data management and innovation
  This day centered on the technical tools and innovations driving modern forest inventories. Sessions explored digital platforms like Open Foris Arena, remote sensing integration, and the use of AI, LiDAR, and field measurement tools to improve data accuracy and efficiency. Countries discussed technology adoption barriers and how a regional network could help overcome them.
• Day 3: Network building and governance
  Participants explored the design and potential value of a regional AP-NFI network. They identified key topics for collaboration, discussed governance models, roles, and responsibilities, and began outlining a roadmap for future engagement. The day closed with a Q&A with the European NFI Network and a call to action to maintain momentum.

The structure was designed to promote open exchange and mutual learning. Technical presentations were complemented by interactive elements such as poster sessions, breakout group activities, and country case studies — all fostering practical dialogue and peer-to-peer engagement. This set the stage for more in-depth exploration of inventory methodologies and data innovations that followed.

In depth: Survey and poster sessions

Ahead of the workshop, countries responded to a regional survey that assessed the status of their NFIs, including aspects like design, frequency, funding, and implementation challenges. The preliminary results, shared on the first day, revealed that all participating countries had completed at least a pilot NFI, demonstrating regional commitment to national forest monitoring. The findings also confirmed that all countries are collecting data in a statistically sound manner, with attention to QA/QC protocols, and are reporting uncertainty estimates — a clear indication of shared commitment to data integrity.

While technical capacity was broadly present, the survey highlighted financial sustainability as a significant hurdle for many Asia-Pacific countries, with costs increasing alongside the number of plots and people involved. On a more positive note, the survey found that NFI data is being used extensively across the region for a wide range of applications, including national and international reporting, forest policy planning, conservation, research, and investment planning.

In a series of poster sessions, all participating countries had the opportunity to present key features of their NFIs — from sampling design and implementation challenges to data dissemination practices. These sessions encouraged open exchanges, allowing delegates to share their experiences, receive feedback, and reflect on what practices they might want to adopt or adapt. The discussions revealed both common ground and important differences in approaches, helping to build mutual understanding across the region. They also led to requests for further collaboration, including bilateral exchanges and data-sharing efforts among countries eager to learn from one another's experiences and strengthen their forest monitoring systems together.

What makes forest monitoring impactful?

The first technical session on “Impactful forest monitoring” led participants through a deep dive on how NFI data can inform meaningful forest policy. Through a combination of thought-provoking statements and questions, participants reflected on the relevance, accessibility, and credibility of their own NFI systems. Four “thermometer indicators” were introduced to assess:

1. Accessibility of NFI data: how easily data can be accessed by stakeholders, including the public, government agencies, and research institutions.
2. Transparency and reliability of results — the clarity of methods and consistency of findings that ensure confidence in the data.
3. Relevance to policy and planning — the degree to which the data informs and influences real-world decisions in forest management, climate reporting, and biodiversity conservation.
4. Sustainability of the forest monitoring system — the long-term viability of the system in terms of technical capacity, institutional support, and financial sources.

Reflecting on the importance of aligning data collection with decision-making, Marco Piazza remarked:

"An inventory becomes truly impactful when it goes beyond collecting numbers — when it is designed to answer the real questions policy makers are asking, and when those insights directly feed into better forest governance and action."

Embracing innovation: The NFI of the future

Day 2 shifted toward technological innovation. At the session titled "Innovation in NFI" explored cutting-edge tools shaping the future of forest monitoring, the participants learned about:

Participants explored the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in forest data analysis, including how machine learning can help extract insights from large datasets. They also discussed the use of LiDAR technology, which enhances the connection between remote sensing and ground-truth measurements by providing detailed 3D data on forest structure. The application of RFID chips and high-accuracy GPS was highlighted as a way to improve the precision of field measurements and tracking. In addition, participants examined how spatial modelling can be used to optimize sampling design, making forest inventories more efficient and representative.

Data management tools: From field to report

In another highlight session, FAO demonstrated Open Foris Arena, an innovative platform for data entry, validation, and analysis. Participating countries from Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Viet Nam, and Lao People's Democratic Republic showcased their experiences in using or adapting data management tools to streamline NFI workflows — from field collection to reporting.

These sessions were followed by discussions on data quality assurance (QA/QC), uncertainty analysis, and data integration across platforms - key considerations in ensuring robust and trustworthy NFI systems.

Laying the groundwork for a regional network

The final day focused on shaping a roadmap towards Asia-Pacific very first NFI network. Drawing on discussions from previous days, countries explored what such a network could look like, what value it could offer, and what principles should guide its development.

In a dedicated governance session, participants discussed practical considerations related to the future structure and functioning of the regional network. These included the time and resource commitments required from members, the roles and responsibilities of different stakeholders such as member countries, secretariats, and technical experts, and the kinds of priority activities the network could undertake — including regional publications, knowledge-sharing webinars, and thematic working groups. The workshop concluded with a live Q&A with ENFIN (the European NFI network), offering valuable lessons from a similar regional initiative.

A new learning tool for long-term capacity building

During the event, FAO also launched the National Forest Inventory – Learning Journey, a new self-paced e-learning path. Built on the successful facilitated NFI course, this tool supports users in every phase of an NFI - from planning to implementation and reporting - with structured modules, resources, and digital badges for learners who complete assessments.

“This learning journey is a powerful tool to expand access to forest monitoring knowledge,” said Rocío Condor. “It’s particularly relevant for Asia-Pacific countries, where diverse forest ecosystems and technical capacity gaps make access to tailored, practical training essential. Whether you’re starting your first NFI or refining your fifth, the content is accessible, up-to-date, and built for real-world use.”

Looking ahead: From dialogue to action

In his closing remarks, Robert Simpson, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, praised the spirit of collaboration that permeated the event:

“This workshop is laying the foundation for a strong regional network that will foster ongoing capacity development and the exchange of best practices in forest monitoring. By working together, countries can enhance their technical expertise, improve data quality, and build a more coordinated approach to sustainable forest management.”

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Supported by the  Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the "Building global capacity to increase transparency in the forest sector (CBIT-Forest)" project and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland through the Accelerating Innovative Monitoring for Forests (AIM4Forests) programme, the event reinforced FAO’s role in facilitating regional knowledge exchange and South-South cooperation.

As the region looks to implement the new Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2025 and advance its climate goals, the foundation laid in Bangkok - through shared knowledge and innovative tools - may well shape the next generation of forest monitoring across Asia-Pacific.