'Sanlim Olympic' World Forestry Congress Opens on the 2nd at COEX, Seoul

Choi Byung-am, the Commissioner of the Korea Forest Service, delivers a welcome address at the opening ceremony of the 15th World Forestry Congress held on the 2nd. Photo by Korea Forest Service

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The World Forestry Congress, known as the "Forest Olympics" in the forestry sector, will be held at COEX in Seoul.

The Korea Forest Service announced on the 2nd that the "15th World Forestry Congress" will be held at COEX, Seoul, from the 2nd to the 6th.

The opening ceremony on the first day of the Congress featured a welcome address by the head of the Korea Forest Service, an opening speech (video broadcast) by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, an opening speech by Basma Bint Ali, Princess of Jordan and FAO Goodwill Ambassador, and an opening speech by Magdalena, President of the International Forest Students’ Association (IFSA).

The ceremony concluded with keynote speeches by Qu Dongyu, FAO Director-General, and President Moon Jae-in.

The Korea Forest Service expects the Seoul Forestry Congress to be the largest Congress ever held. They anticipate around 10,000 participants visiting the Congress venue, far exceeding the previous record of 7,000 participants set at the 13th World Forestry Congress.

The Korea Forest Service explains that the record number of participants was made possible through active promotion via major international media such as New York Times Square, London Piccadilly billboards, CNN, and BBC, as well as financial support for participants from low-income countries.

Additionally, the Korea Forest Service analyzes that the complete revision of quarantine guidelines from March, allowing large-scale international events without restrictions, and the exemption from quarantine for overseas fully vaccinated entrants since last month, also played a significant role in securing participants for the Congress.

The Congress will proceed with programs including the opening ceremony, plenary sessions, thematic sessions, special sessions, side events, networking events, exhibitions, and poster sessions, concluding officially with the closing ceremony on the 6th.

During the Congress, as the host country, Korea plans to hold special events such as a wildfire forum and the Peace Forest Initiative (PFI) roundtable to share Korea’s excellent forest policies with the world.

In particular, at the closing ceremony, Korea will present noteworthy achievements that will attract global forestry stakeholders’ attention, solidifying its position as an advanced forestry nation.

Choi Byung-am, head of the Korea Forest Service, said, “The Seoul Forestry Congress will establish the role of forests in solving the climate crisis and serve as an opportunity to share the importance of forests in humanity’s recovery, reconstruction, and natural ecosystem restoration after COVID-19. Through the Congress, the Korea Forest Service will expand the platform for countries worldwide to create actionable visions and strengthen forest cooperation, putting into practice a ‘Green and Healthy Future Made Together with Forests.’”

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