Greater central asia forest cooperation mechanism (GCA-FCM)-Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation

Asia and the Pacific region feature various geographic conditions, climate zones, and ecosystems. Mandated to promoting regional SFM, APFNet holds a unique position to support those members and their neighboring regions in arid and semi-arid landforms, to address land degradation, the loss and degradation of forests, and vulnerability to climate change via desertification control, land restoration, and better natural resource management.

The Greater Central Asia Forest Cooperation Mechanism (GCA-FCM) has been established to enhance the regional network and pool resources and cooperation for

assurance of security of regional forest assets through increased and sustainable productivity and restoration of its ecological functions;

improvement of rural livelihoods through diversification of forest services and goods, and generation of more employment opportunities in the forest sector; and

stronger resilience and enhanced capacity to adapt to extreme climate.

GCA-FCM modalities, priorities, and activities

GCA-FCM membership comprises China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan, represented by their respective forest ministries or departments. It welcomes partnerships with organizations and institutions in related fields.

GCA-FCM facilitates information and policy exchanges at various levels and identifies cooperation priorities. APFNet works as the coordination hub among members and partners, and contributes by organizing meetings and events, and conducting capacity building programs. Meanwhile, APFNet seeks opportunities for site demonstration projects and technology transfer support.

Current GCA-FCM work is undertaken in the light of the Astana Statement adopted in 2016, and guided by an Implementation Plan 2023-2025, underpinning the following priorities:

Vegetation restoration in arid and semi-arid areas,

Industry development with dryland resources in the areas affected by desertification, such as agroforestry, pasture and ecotourism, etc.,

Transboundary cooperation on forest/ grassland fire prevention and control,

Conservation and utilization of forest/grassland genetic resources,

Promoting capacity building of forestry/grassland professionals,

Promoting forestry/grassland scientific research cooperation and exchange,

Improving the livelihoods of communities in extremely desertified areas by transforming them into pastures dotted by clusters of shrubs.

Meetings of Ministers Responsible for Forestry in Greater Central Asia (GCA-MMRFs)

Convened biennially and hosted by members voluntarily, ministers and high-level officials update achievements, discuss significant issues on domestic and regional forestry developments, exchange perspectives of policies and actions, identify priorities for cooperation and synergies, and more importantly, enhance political will and support to fully unlock values of forestry developments/cooperation to sustainable development, and catalyze regional collaboration and synergies.

Third GCA Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry

12-14 September 2023

Chifeng, China

Meeting report

Action Plan

Second GCA Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry

16-17 August 2018

Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan

Meeting report

First GCA Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry

30 -31 May 2016

Astana, Kazakhstan

Meeting report

Astana Statement

Regional Workshops on Strategic Forestry Cooperation (RWSFC)

The workshop serves primarily as a hub for information sharing and updates of knowledge, experience, practices, methodology, and views. Discussion and analysis would facilitate mutual learning and replication of good examples. It also carries out ministers decisions and reports on progress.

Third Regional Workshop on Strategic Forestry Cooperation

28-30June 2017

Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan

Workshop Report

Second Regional Workshop on Strategic Forestry Cooperation

15-17 July 2015

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Workshop Report

First Regional Workshop on Strategic Forestry Cooperation

23-26 September 2014

Beijing and Chifeng, China

Workshop Report

Capacity building program

The program aims to help build a stronger capacity for GCA forestry authorities and practitioners. At this stage, core components include

regular training workshops,

postgraduate scholarship awards,

study tours for field learning and practices.

APFNet has supported eight training workshops for 60 participants, enrolled 35 scholarship recipients, and organized 2 study tour on prioritized topics.