Seoul, Republic of Korea – February 6, 2024 – H. E. Ban Ki-moon, President of the Assembly and Chair of the Council of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), inaugurated the 1st AFoCO’s “Friends of Asia and Asian Forests Forum” in Seoul with his opening remarks. The forum brought together representatives from key entities including the Korea Forest Service, the UN Global Compact Association in Korea, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency, alongside the Federation of Korean Industries and various private sector organizations.

President & Chair Ban underscored the critical role of forestry and sustainable land-use in combating the climate crisis. He highlighted that “while renewable energy and other technologies receive significant attention, the carbon sink potential of forests to absorb greenhouse gases remains unparalleled by any current technology.”

Furthermore, he emphasized the pressing issue of rapid deforestation, which, in contrast to forests’ role in absorbing greenhouse gases, contributes significantly to global emissions. He noted that approximately one-fourth of global emissions arise from CO2 released due to deforestation. President Ban reiterated the GGGI’s commitment to partnering with both public and private sectors to assist governments in achieving their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which frequently incorporate targets related to forests and agriculture.

The “Friends of Asia and Asian Forests Forum” seeks to convene leaders from corporate and other sectors who are committed to advancing Asian net-zero initiatives and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.