From December 3 to 5, 2025, the Fifth Steering Committee Meeting and the Fourth Early Career Academics Forum of the Sino-ASEAN Network of Forestry Research Institutes (SANFRI) were successfully convened concurrently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The events were co-organized by the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet), the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), and the Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI), with the support of the SANFRI Coordination Office (SCO). The meeting and forum brought together representatives from forestry research institutions and young scholars from China and ASEAN economies to promote regional forestry scientific and technological exchanges in forestry, foster the development of young talents, and contribute to the sustainable development of forestry in the Asia-Pacific region.

Fifth Steering Committee Meeting: Reviewing Achievements, Planning the Future, and Establishing New Leadership

The Fifth Steering Committee Meeting, held on 3 December, reviewed the progress of the SANFRI mechanism during the 2024–2025 period, covering the outcomes of key initiatives such as the Visiting Scholar Program and the Small Research Grant Program. The meeting discussed and subsequently approved the Work Plan for 2026–2027, while also putting forward a series of recommendations for deepening future collaboration. Following consensus among member institutions, the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia was elected as the new rotating chair, with the Royal Forest Department of Thailand elected as vice-chair. It was decided that the Sixth Steering Committee Meeting will be held in Indonesia.

Group photo of Representatives at the 5th SANFRI Steering Committee Meeting

Fourth Early Career Academics Forum: Showcasing Research Outcomes and Inspiring Collaborative Innovation

The Fourth Early Career Academics Forum, which opened on the same day, brought together over 20 young scholars from China and ASEAN member economies. With a focus on thematic areas including forest restoration, tree species management, pest and disease control, and sustainable bamboo forest management, the forum featured presentations on outcomes from small research grant projects. In addition, representatives from forestry research institutions across eight economies outlined their institutional research priorities and highlighted regional collaboration needs from a youth perspective, offering fresh insights for cross-border scientific cooperation. Through thematic presentations and interactive discussions, the scholars exchanged in-depth views on their research findings and practical experiences in fields such as forest restoration, tree genomics, and carbon sequestration through afforestation.

Young Scholars Presenting Progress Reports on SANFRI Small Research Grant Projects

Field Visit Bridges Theory and Practice

On 4 and 5 December, participants conducted a field visit to the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, Malaysia's largest mangrove conservation area. The visit also included introduction of sustainable management demonstration sites, the Kuala Sepetang Charcoal Factory, a nocturnal ecology observation session at the Night Safari in Zoo Taiping, and a visit to the historic Antong Coffee Mill. This immersive experience deepened the participants' understanding of forest conservation, sustainable management, and community-inclusive development, effectively bridging academic research with practical implementation.

Field Visit on the Sustainable Utilization of Timber Resources at the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve

Since its establishment in 2018, SANFRI has continuously fostered the development of young forestry professionals and collaboration among research institutions in the region. This Steering Committee Meeting and Early Career Academics Forum have further strengthened the cooperative network between China and ASEAN economies in the field of forestry science and technology, injecting new momentum into regional forest ecological conservation and green sustainable development.