Korea-led Establishment of 'Asia Forest Cooperation Organization'... Upgraded to UN-affiliated International Organization

Acquisition of UN General Assembly Observer Status

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea Forest Service announced on the 16th that the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), launched under the leadership of the Korean government, obtained observer status at the United Nations General Assembly on the 15th (local time).

AFoCO is an international organization established at the Korea-ASEAN Special Summit to respond to global forest issues such as climate change and forest restoration and to strengthen cooperation in the forestry sector among Asian countries. Its secretariat is located in Seoul.

Since June, the government has been working together with the AFoCO secretariat and member countries to obtain AFoCO's observer status at the UN General Assembly. In particular, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations has actively engaged in negotiations on-site to secure support within the UN from member states for the resolution regarding AFoCO's acquisition of observer status at the UN General Assembly.

Additionally, the Korea Forest Service held a briefing session in July for ambassadors of AFoCO member countries in Korea and international organizations to explain and request support for AFoCO's acquisition of observer status at the UN General Assembly. As a result, on November 19, the resolution for AFoCO to obtain observer status at the UN General Assembly was unanimously passed by the Sixth Committee of the UN General Assembly and was finally adopted at the plenary session of the UN General Assembly.

The resolution was jointly proposed by a total of 20 countries, including the 15 AFoCO member countries as well as Germany, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Qatar, and Turkey, all of whom actively supported AFoCO's acquisition of observer status.

With the acquisition of observer status at the UN General Assembly, AFoCO is expected to expand its scope and enhance its competitiveness as an international organization by participating in UN-level discussions on sustainable development and green growth. In particular, through UN forestry-related organizations such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, AFoCO plans to induce international interest and support for Asian forests.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official stated, "AFoCO's acquisition of observer status at the UN General Assembly is expected to serve as a cornerstone for AFoCO to cooperate not only within Asia but also with UN organizations, greatly contributing to spreading Korea's forest policies worldwide," adding, "Going forward, our government will continue to make leading efforts as an AFoCO member country to carry out activities for sustainable forest diplomacy centered on the environment and people in the Asian region."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.