About us-Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation

The Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet) 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.

APFNet was officially launched in September 2008 with its arrangements and operations guided by the Operational Framework that evolved from the Framework Document jointly developed by China, Australia and the United States.

Mission and purpose

Mission

Valuing “respect for diversity in development, being action-oriented and thinking innovatively”, APFNet is committed to helping the economies and people of the Asia-Pacific region by promoting and improving sustainable forest management and rehabilitation.

Purpose

The purpose of APFNet is expanding forest cover and improving forest ecosystem quality in Asia and the Pacific to promote the multiple functions of forests, help mitigate and adapt to climate change and meet the changing socioeconomic and environmental needs of the region.

Objectives

a. Contribute to the achievement of the inspirational goal of increasing forest cover in the region by at least 20 million hectares of all types of forests by 2020;
b. Help to enhance forest carbon stocks and improve forest quality and productivity by promoting rehabilitation of existing but degraded forests and reforestation and afforestation of suitable cleared lands in the region;
c. Help to reduce forest loss and degradation and their associated emissions of greenhouse gases by strengthening sustainable forest management and enhancing biodiversity conservation;
d. Help to 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.

Strategic priorities

To contribute to the achievement of global goals and targets related to forests, APFNet will focus on the following priorities from 2016 to 2020 that correspond to its objectives：

Priority 1: Rehabilitating degraded forests and increasing forest cover
Priority 2: Promoting sustainable forest management to enhance ecological functions and ecosystem security of forests
Priority 3: Enhancing forests’ contribution to socioeconomic development and to improvement of local livelihoods

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