The Ninth Meetings of the APFNet Council and Board of Directors were held in Nha Trang, Viet Nam, from 23-25 April 2025. The events were held in a hybrid format and hosted by the Viet Nam Forestry Administration, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Viet Nam.

The Council meeting brought together 22 representatives from 13 member economies and partner organizations. Dr Sokh Heng (Cambodia), Council Chair, and Mr Nishatha Edirisinghe (Sri Lanka), Vice-Chair, co-chaired the meetings. Mr Doan Hoai Nam, Deputy Director General of the Viet Nam Forestry Administration, delivered the opening address on behalf of the host economy member.

At the Council Meeting, Dr. Sokh Heng was re-elected as the Chair of the Council till the year 2028. The Council heard the Secretariat’s report of APFNet’s work in 2024 and work plan for 2025; reviewed and affirmed APFNet Rules of Procedures of the Council; discussed the Framework Outline for APFNet Strategic Plan 2026-2030; Shared the achievements and progress of SANFRI’s work, and the project Development of Participatory Management of Micro- catchment at the Bengawan Solo Upper Watershed (Phase I & II) for information sharing, to facilitate cooperation between Council Members; and recommended the Tenth Meeting of the APFNet Council and Board of Directors to be hosted by APFNet Secretariat in China in 2026.

At the Board Meeting on 25 April, Dr Guan Zhiou, Minister of Natural Resources of China and Chair of the APFNet Board of Directors, delivered the opening speech via a video. Four Board members’ membership approved to be extended to 2028. The Board of Directors approved the APFNet work plan and budget for 2025; discussed the assessment of the APFNet Strategic Plan 2021-2025 and the outline for APFNet Strategic Plan 2026-2030; reported the work of APFNet’s next Executive Director Selection.

Between the meetings, participants visited Hon Ba Nature Reserve, participated in tree planting, learned about the public-private partnership-based forest restoration and socio-economic development initiatives in Viet Nam and explored forest protection models.