The Asia Forest Cooperation Organization, the first-ever international organization led by South Korea, will officially launch early next month after three years of preparation.

The Korea Forest Service first suggested an organization regarding forestry during the Korea-ASEAN Special Summit Meeting held in June on the nation’s southern resort island of Jeju, and then held bilateral meetings and negotiations with 10 ASEAN member countries.

Member countries finally agreed to establish the organization in January last year at the 23rd Special ASOF Meeting in the Philippines.

Head of KFS’s Global Forest Resources and Trade Division Kim Yong-ha, who has led the project from the start talked to the Korea Herald about the implications and prospects about AFoCO. 

Korea Herald: What will be the role of AFoCO to settle down as an evident international organization?

Kim Yong-ha: International organizations so far have had limits when it came to practicing detailed work on the scene. AFoCO, however, will be the first case in the world that discusses substantial forestry issues.

We will show that it is different from other international organizations. Korea has what it takes. Korea succeeded forestry-wise by receiving aid in the past.

We will give back the substantial help we were given. We will share our experiences and expertise. AFoCO will serve as a platform.

KH: What difficulties did you come across in running an international cooperation project?

Kim: It is true that we have been holding many meetings and have made cooperative relationships (with member countries) but still had difficulties in bringing out some actual results. It took two years to conclude an agreement for AFoCO but took only eight months to get signatures and establish the organization. That means ASEAN countries have high hopes and regard the issues as important. We think that the efforts of the KFS are finally being recognized. We also think that the Foreign Ministry has been of great assistance, and would like to show our gratitude through this occasion.

KH: How will the establishment of AFoCO benefit the national interest?

Kim: We are discussing two-way collaboration businesses with 16 countries. Through AFoCO, we can work on businesses regarding carbon-trading permits or securing wood in a better environment than other countries. First, we should form amicable relationships with other countries and foster professionals in forestry resources or carbon-trading permits. When human exchanges increase, it will open more doors for both countries to win-win, not just in the forestry industry but also in many other sectors.

KH: African countries have asked to participate in AFoCO. What are the prospects for expansion?

Kim: About 20 percent of forests are in ASEAN countries, which are about 213 million hectares in size. Countries directly or indirectly depend on forests for the local economy as well as culture and environment. But most ASEAN countries are developing countries and the forests are greatly destroyed. AFoCO is a new model of Official Development Assistance. While ODA before simply offered monetary support, AFoCO is a total support system that has a board and office that has technology and expertise to start work on the scene, as well as monetary support.

AFoCO will start off with Korea and 10 ASEAN countries, but will expand in the future as a bigger international organization with a wider participation of countries such as Mongolia, Nepal and Kyrgyzstan. 

By Lee Kwon-hyung and Park Min-young
(kwonh@heraldcorp.com) (claire@heraldcorp.com)