The 15th World Forestry Congress will take place at COEX in Seoul from May 2 through May 6.
About 10,000 people from 160 countries, international organizations, civic bodies, academic circles, and companies are expected to participate in the congress.
The event will be held under the theme “Building a Green, Healthy and Resilient Future with Forests.”
The World Forestry Congress, taking place every six years, is the largest international convention in the forestry sector.
The 14th World Forest Congress was held in South Africa in 2015, attracting some 4,000 people. Participants of the upcoming congress are expected to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss ways of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Korea was selected as the host of the 15th World Forestry Congress thanks largely to its success story in reforestation and its continued commitment to promoting international cooperation in the forestry sector.
It will be the first time the Congress has been convened in the Asia-Pacific region since it was held in Indonesia 43 years ago.
The World Forestry Congress is the most influential conference in forestry, serving as the global platform for members of the international community to come together and issue recommendations and declarations on major forest issues.
The 15th World Forestry Congress will set the stage for a timely discussion of how forests can help address and adapt to climate change, combat desertification, preserve biodiversity, and resolve other global environmental issues.
At the same time, the coming global gathering will provide a great opportunity to build cross-border cooperation and partnerships in forestry.
Korea’s economic development model and success story in reforestation will offer valuable lessons to those countries now in similar circumstances to what our country has gone through in the past.
Minister Choi Byeong-am of the Korea Forest Service (KFS) said, “As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the world, it is necessary, indeed, to discuss forests in relation to what role they can play in creating a green, healthy future. The Republic of Korea cordially invites you to have productive discussions at the Congress about the role of the forest sector in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and in implementing international conventions on forestry and the environment.”
Korea Forest Service conducting diverse publicity activities at its booth installed at COEX ahead of the upcoming 15th World Forestry Congress.
KFS and the Food Agricultural Organization of the United Nations will announce the current status of global forestry, and will hold an opening ceremony at 9 a.m. on May 2.
A high-level dialogue will be held between 11 a.m. and noon following the opening ceremony. The Plenary Session I will take place from 2 p.m. under the topic “UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration — 8 More Years to Heal the Planet.”
A ministerial forum on forest finance, a special event on Day 2, will be held on May 3. The Plenary Session 2 will take place under the topic “Forests for a Healthier, Prosperous and Peaceful World.”
The Plenary Session 3 on Day 3 will be held on May 4 under the topic “Wood, the Most Ancient Raw Material Taking Us to the Future.”
A special event on Day 4 will take place on May 5. The topic will be, “The Future is Now: Investing in Young Forestry Professionals and Career Development.”
The Wangari Maathai Forest Champions Award Ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. on May 5. The Plenary Session 4 on Day 5 will be held on May 6 under the topic “Sustainable Pathways for Building a Green, Healthy and Resilient Future.”
The Congress will end with a closing ceremony after the presentation of outcomes on May 6.
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