Rotorua, New Zealand, November 3rd, 2013 - APFNet, in collaboration with FAO, co-organized a “Workshop on Forestry Strategic Planning in the Asia-Pacific Region” in Rotorua, New Zealand, on 3 November 2013, as a pre-session event of the 25th Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission (APFC).

The workshop reviewed current national forestry strategic planning and implementation; shared experiences and lessons learned in the process of development and implementation of national forestry strategic plans; identified gaps and key challenges for forestry strategic plan development and implementation; and discussed to establish an effective communication and information sharing mechanism to promote development and implementation of national forestry strategic plans.

Mr. Qu Guilin, the Executive Director of the APFNet stated that the Asia-Pacific region needs platform to exchange the good experiences and lessons learned in forestry strategic planning. He further mentioned that good forestry strategic planning will identify and determine the priority areas, form of co-operation and the mechanisms of cooperation that can balance aspirations for development and the need for protection.

 Mr. Patrick Durst, the Senior Forestry Officer of the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok mentioned on his opening address that the Asia-Pacific region is currently, undergoing unprecedented changes, economically, socially, politically and environmentally. He further added that these changes are bringing about new challenges and new opportunities for forestry which can only be dealt with through strategic thinking and planning. 

All participants emphasized the importance of building regional collaboration to support economies to improve strategic planning process and agreed to establish the Regional Dialogue on Forestry Strategic Planning in the Asia-Pacific Region and suggested to take practical steps forward and strengthen planning process across the region through networking, workshops and capacity building.

Twenty eight participants from 15 economies and organizations in the region attended the workshop.