Forest Service to share knowhow at World Forestry Congress
Shin Won-sop, Korea Forest Service minster
By Lee Hyo-sik
The Korea Forest Service (KFS) will make the best use of the World Forestry Congress in 2021 to showcase its advanced knowhow and expertise in forest restoration and management, the head of the state-run agency said Wednesday.
In an interview with The Korea Times, KFS Minister Shin Won-sop said that during the event, the company will announce its policy blueprint, and introduce diverse steps to share its knowledge and knowhow with developing countries to help them more effectively manage forest resources.
“The 15th World Forestry Congress will serve as a good opportunity for us to make our presence known on the global stage,” Shin said. “The KFS will tell the world how it has successfully restored Korea’s war-ravaged forests over the past seven decades and how eager it is to bolster international cooperation with its counterparts.”
On Dec. 6, Korea was chosen as a host nation for the largest and most significant gathering of forestry experts across the globe.
The World Forestry Congress, which has been held every six years since 1926, is administered by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. It has served as a forum for the sharing of knowledge and experience regarding the conservation, management and use of the world’s forests.
In 2021, the event, which will be held in Seoul, is expected to attract more than 10,000 academics, government officials, corporate executives and environmental activists from 160 countries.
“The World Forestry Congress 2021 is significant in that it will be held in the Asia-Pacific region for the first time in 48 years. Only two Asian countries ― India in 1954 and Indonesia in 1978 ― have previously hosted the event,” Shin said. “Given this significance, KFS will spare no effort to make the upcoming meeting the most successful one in its history.”
In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government agencies, KFS submitted a bid to the Rome-based FAO in April. Korea had initially competed with Italy, Russia and Peru, but the three countries dropped out of the race as Asia’s fourth-largest economy garnered overwhelming support from FAO members, particularly those in Asia and Africa, according to Shin.
“Many developing countries were impressed by Korea’s success in turning its land green again following the 1950-53 Korean War. This has served as a valuable lesson for them,” the minister said. “After all our competitors had given up their bids, Korea was chosen as the host nation without a vote.”
The KFS will begin work to host the congress in 2018, according to Shin, who said it will take all possible measures to promote the gathering at home and abroad.
“Through the meeting, Korea can learn how advanced nations have added value to forest resources, turning them into a tourist attraction. But we will focus more on sharing our knowhow with developing countries that are in desperate need to restore and manage their forests,” he said. “We will sign multiple cooperation agreements with our counterparts and find ways of bolstering post-meeting exchanges.”