Forests save the world: Asia-Pacific Forum started in Chiang Mai!

Forests save the world: Asia-Pacific Forum started in Chiang Mai!

Over 120 leading foresters and experts from 20 countries in the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Chiang Mai. The 31st meeting of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC 31) will take place here from November 3rd to 7th, 2025, an event jointly organized by Royal Forest Department of Thailand and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In times when forests play a central role for over 22 million people, the event's motto is “Forests as a basis for food security and resilient landscapes”.

The importance of forests can hardly be overemphasized. They provide essential ecosystem services and are crucial for the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But how The Thaiger reports, Thailand is facing a serious environmental crisis: deforestation. This is more pronounced here than in many other countries in Southeast Asia and is driven by various factors. The focus on agricultural expansion, population growth and timber harvesting contribute to this threatening situation.

Challenges for the future

APFC 31 will discuss how innovative approaches to forest management can help reduce existing pressures such as urbanization and unsustainable practices. Nikorn Siratochananon, Director General of the Royal Forest Department, highlights the need for sustainable forest use. For Alue Dohong, FAO Assistant Director-General, healthy forests are a cornerstone of healthy food systems. The FAO report “The State of the World's Forests 2024” urgently warns that declining biodiversity and reduced ecosystem services are endangering millions of livelihoods.

A central concern of the experts is to promote cooperation between governments, international organizations, civil society and research networks. Preecha Ongprasert, Chairman of the APFC, emphasizes the relevance of these regional collaborations for future initiatives, including international events such as COP30 in Brazil.

Support from all actors

Small farmers are to be supported by a new technical report from FAO, CIFOR and ICRAF on agroforestry. This provides practical strategies for efficient wood production and income diversification. Such initiatives are essential in a country where deforestation has been slow to curb due to illegal timber harvesting and unclear land ownership regulations.

In addition to deforestation, there are other challenges. The destruction of natural habitats not only endangers biodiversity, but also has a direct impact on local communities, such as the Karen people in Kaeng Krachan National Park. Deforestation exacerbates the effects of climate change and reduces the ability of forests to absorb CO2, leading to extreme weather events.

Thailand has initiated various reforestation projects and protection measures in recent years. However, it remains to be seen how much progress can be achieved through collaboration and innovative approaches at APFC 31.

All in all, the current meeting in Chiang Mai shows how urgent and necessary it is to advance forest protection and to pool all forces for a sustainable future.