Indonesia participates in the 10th Session of the Assembly of AFoCO Indonesia | 19/04/2024

Indonesia attended the special edition of the 10th Session of the Assembly of the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), held on 17-18 April 2024 in Kyrgyzstan.  

AFoCO is an intergovernmental organization in Asia that aims to strengthen regional forestry cooperation by transforming technology and policies that are aligned and responsive to sustainable forest management and climate change. The Session of the Assembly is an important annual event to discuss yearly work plans, budgets, and the development of projects and initiatives of AFoCO member countries.

Country representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam attended the assembly meeting. Representative countries of Bhutan and Timor Leste attended virtually.

The assembly meeting was opened by Mr. Mametov Medetbek Raimberdievich, First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Environmental and Technical Supervision of Kyrgyzstan, as host. The assembly meeting was chaired by Ms. Noralinda Haji Ibrahim from Brunei Darussalam as President of the Assembly, accompanied by Mr. Arleigh J. Adorable from the Philippines as Vice President of the Assembly. Dr Chongho Park, the Executive Director of AFoCO, gave a welcome remark.

The meeting discussed various agendas, including plans to amend AFoCO's project manual, HR management plans and guidelines, as well as updates on involvement in the UN and UN Conventions.

Participation in the 10th Session of the Assembly of AFoCO strengthens Indonesia's commitment to developing strong collaboration between AFoCO member countries and developing actions to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The meeting, held in the "Switzerland of Central Asia" Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, was also attended by Rabo Bank representatives to discuss the agenda of the Agroforestry Carbon Project.

Regarding HR management, Indonesia proposed that in the recruitment process, it is necessary to consider experience and involvement in AFoCO projects and programs in addition to competency and experience in the forestry sector and related fields. Apart from that, Indonesia also emphasizes the importance of further developing short-term and long-term HR capacity-building programs because HR is an essential factor in an organization.

AFoCO is actively promoting partnerships and involvement in international organizations on the global stage in an effort to increase AFoCO's existence. This was done to encourage AFoCO's participation in the international community and create opportunities to participate in more extensive activities, such as the United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) COP and plans to develop a Forest Pavilion at COP 29.