Korea-Asia Forest Cooperation Organization Signs 'Headquarters Agreement'... Effective After National Assembly Ratification

International Organization Established Led by Korea

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 23rd, Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha signed the Headquarters Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) with Chencho Norbu, Secretary-General of AFoCO.

AFoCO is an international organization established in 2009, proposed by Korea during 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 Yeouido, Seoul.

The parties to the agreement include 13 countries: Korea, Vietnam, East Timor, Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, the Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia, with Singapore and Malaysia as observers.

This agreement explicitly secures AFoCO's legal status as an international organization and guarantees privileges and immunities for its headquarters property and staff, enabling smooth operations within Korea. It is expected to come into effect after ratification by the National Assembly. The Headquarters Agreement stipulates recognition of AFoCO's legal personality, inviolability of its headquarters, exemption from legal procedures and tax privileges for AFoCO and its property.

The signing of this Headquarters Agreement is evaluated as an opportunity to publicly express the Korean government's continuous support for AFoCO, an international organization established under Korea's leadership, and Korea's commitment to enhancing cooperation in the forestry sector based on close collaboration with AFoCO.

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Meanwhile, based on joint efforts by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea Forest Service, AFoCO obtained observer status at the United Nations General Assembly last week, enhancing its competitiveness as an international organization and expanding its scope of activities. The Headquarters Agreement is expected to further contribute to AFoCO's domestic and international activities aimed at attracting global attention and support for Asian forests.

An official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Our government plans to lead sustainable forest diplomacy activities as the host country of the AFoCO Secretariat and as a member country," adding, "In particular, through active support and strengthened cooperation with AFoCO, which includes all ASEAN member countries, we intend to implement our New Southern Policy in the forestry sector."

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