The goal of this project is to identify factors contributing to forest cover changes in a number of economies in the Asia Pacific region. A better understanding of the impacts of these factors assists in the formulating of strategies and policies to reduce deforestation, induce forest rehabilitation and foster sustainable forest management

To assess the underlying processes that explain forest cover changes;

To formulate categorization models characterizing the implications for forests’ environmental and economic benefits; and

To enhance the regional capability and capacity in reducing deforestation, induce rehabilitation and foster sustainable forest management.

Complete the framework of economy case studies and their forest transition analysis.

Complete comparative analyses framework and categorization models.

Strengthen regional capability and capacity in reducing deforestation, induce rehabilitation, and foster sustainable forest management.

The project highlighted the importance of afforestation in driving forest transition across nine economies in the Asia-Pacific region. Between 1990 and 2010, the combined forest area increased by 32 million hectares (7%), largely due to significant gains in China (50 million ha, 32%), Vietnam (4.4 million ha, 47%), and India (4.5 million ha, 7%). However, deforestation remained a challenge, with Indonesia losing 21 million hectares (20% of its forest cover), and Malaysia and Laos each losing 9% of their forest area. Countries like China, India, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam made notable progress in forest conservation and regeneration.

Forest transition in Asia was driven by a mix of political, social, institutional, and economic factors. Urbanization and off-farm employment reduced pressure on forests in Japan, South Korea, China, and India, but these factors were less emphasized in non-transition economies like Vietnam and the Philippines. Government policies, such as large-scale afforestation programs, forest governance reforms, and timber import liberalization, played a critical role in promoting forest transition.

The findings underscore the need for continued regional coordination to develop fair-trade policies, strengthen forest governance, and promote stakeholder participation. The project’s insights can assist governments in formulating policies that balance economic growth with sustainable forest management, benefiting both the environment and local communities.