APFNet organized a side event titled “Contributions to Sustainable Forest Management and the Sustainable Development Goals through Demonstration Projects, Regional initiatives and collaborations.” together with the Royal Forest Department of Thailand on 9 May 2025, during the 20th session of the UN Forum on Forests took place from 5 May to 9, 2025, at the UN Headquarters in New York, United States.

During the side event, Ms Xin Shuyu, Director of the Project management division and Ms Wang Jiayi, Director of the Policy dialogue division shared their experiences and highlighted the transformative roles of the APFNet projects and programs in strengthening sustainable forest management and contributions to achieving the Sustainable development goals.

As the chair of the Regional Model Forest Network- Asia (RMFN), Mr Preecha Ongprasert, Director of Forestry Foreign Affairs Office of the Royal Forest Department of Thailand, introduced the actions and activities this network took and its impact in the region. At the same time, Mr Montri Intasen shared a specific project case in Ngao Model Forest in Thailand, an inspiring example of inclusive, landscape-level forest management that benefits both people and nature.

The side event attracted not only participants of the UNFF20, but also several people from other conferences, which showed that forests are not only foresters’ or professionals’ issue. It’s now everyone’s concern.

During the main sessions of UNFF20 and all other side events, discussions about current challenges from forest fires, climate change, the financial instability facing the accomplishment of the global forest goals and SDGS were highly considered. Many delegates focus on tackling the challenges, searching for solutions and collaboration opportunities, hoping for a brighter and better future. During the side event, the participants also mentioned that what APFNet and RMFN are doing in the region has benefited communities and livelihoods and empowered youths and researchers across the region. And this kind of regional programs, networks and individual organizations’ contributions should be more often recognized and represented in the forums such as UNFF.

Presentations: 

1. “Sustaining Forests for a Resilient Future Contributions and Lessons Learnt from Demonstration Projects.”.pdf  Ms. Xin Shuyu, Director of the Project Management Division at APFNet 

2. Empowering Youth, Bridging Nations SANFRI’s Inclusive Model for Accelerating Global Forest Goals.”.pptx  Ms. Wang Jiayi, Director of the Policy Dialogue Division at APFNet

3. “Practices and models for sustainable forest management, on inclusive and sustainable management models from a global perspective.”.pdf Mr. Preecha Ongprasert, Director of Forestry, Foreign Affairs Office of the Royal Forest Department, Thailand, Chair of the Regional Model Forest Network – Asia

4. “Achievements and lessons learnt from the Ngao Model Forest project, in Lampang Province, Thailand.”.pdf Mr. Montri Intasen, Forestry Technical Officer, Senior Professional level from the Royal Forest Department