On 27 March 2026, the Forum on Nature-Based Garden City and Green Well-being, also serving as the 11th Beijing Forest Forum, was held at the Zhongguancun International Innovation Center. Co-organized by the Beijing Municipal Forestry and Parks Bureau and the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet), the event brought together government officials, international experts, and representatives from environmental organizations to explore the intersection of urban forestry, public well-being, and sustainable urban development. The forum was a key parallel session of the 2026 Zhongguancun Forum Annual Conference.

Dr. Wang Chunfeng, Executive Director of APFNet, opened the forum by highlighting the growing importance of urban forests in an increasingly urbanized world. "Urban forests are not just ecological assets," he said. "They relieve stress, improve quality of life, and serve as the backbone of urban ecological security." He reaffirmed APFNet’s commitment to advancing sustainable forest management and fostering collaboration across the region to build cities where people and nature thrive together.

Dr. Wang Chunfeng Delivers the Opening Address

The keynote session, moderated by Wang Xiaoping of the Beijing Forestry Society, featured presentations from leading international experts.

Neil D'Cruze, Director of Strategic Research at Canopy, spoke on the theme of living in harmony with wildlife. As cities expand, he noted, encounters between people and wildlife are inevitable. But through simple, science-based solutions, such as elevated beehive stands to protect against bears or community-led management programs, coexistence is possible. Besides, experts including Terry Townshend, Senior Advisor at the Paulson Institute, André Rodrigues de Aquino, Lead Environmental Specialist at the World Bank Group, and Laura D'Arcy, Head of the Landscape Finance Team at WWF-UK, shared their insights on topics such as biodiversity conservation in Beijing, knowledge exchange for ecological restoration, and the green economy.

The Forum in Session

The forum also marked several new collaborations. Agreements were signed to support biodiversity conservation in Beijing, promote pet-friendly parks, and launch the International Alliance for Urban Forests, which is a new platform aimed at fostering global cooperation in urban forestry.

A roundtable discussion, moderated by Zhu Chunquan of the Asia Academy of Philanthropy, brought together representatives from the International Crane Foundation, World Animal Protection, Beijing Municipal Engineering Design Institute, and China Beijing Green Exchange to explore ways to integrate ecological health with public well-being.

The forum showcased Beijing’s leadership in urban forestry while reinforcing APFNet’s role as a platform for regional cooperation. “Building cities that are both green and livable requires shared effort,” said Dr. Wang. “APFNet looks forward to continuing this work with Beijing and our partners across the region.”