Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation

The Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet), officially launched in September 2008, is a non-profit international organization dedicated to advancing sustainable forest management and rehabilitation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Despite increasing awareness of the importance of managing forests sustainably to achieve green growth, reduce poverty and respond to climate change, huge gaps still exist in knowledge and capacities at global and regional levels. The establishment of the organization was proposed in this context by the People’s Republic of China and endorsed by Australia and the United States at the 15th Leaders' Meeting in Sydney, Australia, in September 2007. The proposal was adopted by Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders and incorporated in the Sydney Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development, in an effort to “enhance capacity building and strengthen information sharing on sustainable forest management in the forestry sector” in the region.

Mission and purpose

Mission

APFNet is committed to helping the economies and people of the Asia-Pacific region by promoting and improving SFM and forest rehabilitation.

VALUES

Respect for differences

APFNet respects the diversity of views and differences in opinions, beliefs, pathways and approaches that exist for adapting and adopting SFM and effective forest rehabilitation. APFNet will continue to undertake its work on the premise that there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to achieving SFM in the Asia-Pacific region.

Action-oriented

APFNet seeks to assist its members to accelerate positive change on the ground. Decisions and activities, therefore, will be action-oriented at the grassroots level.

Creative and innovative thinking

APFNet will remain innovative, inquisitive and exploratory. APFNet encourages thinking outside the box and promotes the exploration of new ideas and approaches for addressing forest-related issues.

Member needs are the first priority

APFNet is a member-driven network. The needs and priorities of members will always be the first consideration when decisions are made about programmes and activities

Objectives

a. Contribute to the efforts of member economies and organizations to substantially increase the area of restored multifunctional forests in line with APFNet’s mission, and the objectives of its members, and in the framework of multilateral aspirations and processes such as the Bonn Challenge, the UN Strategic Plan for Forests, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, and the Asia-Pacific Regional Strategy and Action Plan for Forest and Landscape Restoration.

b. Help enhance forest carbon stocks and improve forest quality and productivity by promoting the rehabilitation of existing but degraded forests and the reforestation and afforestation of suitable lands in the region.

c. Help reduce forest loss and degradation and associated greenhouse gas emissions by strengthening SFM and enhancing biodiversity conservation.

d. Help increase the socioeconomic benefits of forests in the region.

Members

APFNet membership is open to Asia-Pacific economies. Participation by all economies, civil society organizations, the private sector, academic forestry institutions and international organizations active in the Asia-Pacific region is welcomed.

APFNet membership is categorized as:
Category A a) APEC economies (represented by government agencies); and
b) Non-APEC economies in the Asia-Pacific region (represented by government agencies);
Category B c) International/regional intergovernmental organizations and international/regional non-governmental organizations operating in the
Asia-Pacific region;
Category C d) Domestic forestry-related academic institutions and domestic non-governmental organizations in the Asia-Pacific region; and
e) Forests and forestry related enterprises operating in the Asia-Pacific region.

How to apply?

An entity wishing to become an APFNet member is requested to submit:

a) A signed confirmation form to accept and support the APFNet Operational Framework

b) A letter of intent.

A membership applicant falling into type d) or e) of Category C is additionally requested to present the economy’s endorsement (through the official government agency) of where the applicant is headquartered.

Membership applications will be considered by the APFNet Council at its annual meeting.

Current members

APFNet currently has 31 members numbering 26 economies and 5 international organizations in the Asia-Pacific region. APFNet members can be reached through their Representatives to the Council and contact persons.

Partners

Partnerships with regional forest initiatives and processes as well as academic institutions are important channels for APFNet to better leverage existing efforts in the region to pool resources, identify synergies, avoid duplications and facilitate cooperation.

APFNet has entered into partnerships with the following entities through Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs):

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The Center for People and Forests

The International Tropical Timber Organization

Forest & Farm Facility

The Center for International Forestry Research

European Forest Institute

International Union for Conservation of Nature

International Union of Forest Research Organization