The Philippines participated in the 31st Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC) held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, from 04 to 07 November 2025, as part of its commitment to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
The APFC is one of the six (6) Regional Forestry Commissions established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It serves as a crucial policy and technical forum for countries to discuss and address forest issues on a regional basis and is vital in the international arrangement on forests, serving as link between the global dialogue on forest policies at Committee on Forestry (COFO) and the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF).
With the theme “Healthy Forests Feed the Future,” this year’s session underscored the critical role of forests in ensuring food security, nutrition, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods. The discussions also emphasized the urgent need for collective action to combat deforestation, accelerate forest and landscape restoration, and promote a sustainable, forest-based bioeconomy across the Asia-Pacific region.
Through its active participation, the Philippines continues to support regional cooperation and contribute to shaping strategies that foster sustainable forest management and resilience in the face of climate and environmental challenges.
