About GFN-Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation

Background and establishment

The Global Development Initiative (GDI) , put forward by President of China, Xi Jinping in 2021, aims to support the timely achievement of Sustainable Development Goals by revitalizing global partnerships and supporting stronger, greener, and healthier development. A High-Level Dialogue on Global Development was held in the following year to invite solid partnerships and concrete actions. Establishing GFN, jointly proposed by China and APFNet, is one of the 32 event deliverables.

GFN was officially launched at the First Pu’er Forum on Asia-Pacific Forests, where the new initiative was widely welcomed to contribute to global development through promoting sustainable forest management.

Mission and Objectives

GFN aims to advance the Global Development Initiative, accelerate the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, promote green, low-carbon, and sustainable development, and build harmony between man and nature by promoting sustainable forest management globally.

To strengthen the global sustainable management of forests, promote forest conservation and restoration, halt forest loss, reduce deforestation and forest degradation, protect biodiversity, and address climate change;

To advocate synergy between protection and development, balance livelihoods and eco-conservation, improve the economic, social, and ecological functions of forests, and serve the global green and low-carbon transition development;

To promote international forestry cooperation, increase demonstration and extension of good practices, promote synergy of forest policies, improve management capacity, and strengthen information sharing to achieve common development;

To support and promote new development models in the forestry sector to increase forest quality and income and promote the coordinated development between forestry and rural vitalization to improve livelihoods.

Modalities, participation and financing

GFN is currently managed by APFNet as a programme.

GFN Programme is open to all countries, especially members of the Group of Friends of Global Development Initiative, and welcomes broad partnerships.

China financially supports the GFN operations. Contributions from other governments, enterprises, civil society groups, relevant UN agencies, and international organizations are welcome.

Implementation means

Demonstration projects

Policy dialogue

Information sharing

Capacity building

GFN Background Document