Since its establishment in 2003, APFORGEN provides a unique platform for the region’s researchers and forestry experts to develop and share best practices and capacities for the conservation and sustainable management of forest and tree genetic resources. APFORGEN member countries implement a regional strategy that supports the implementation of the Global Plan of Action on Forest Genetic Resources, work which has been endorsed by the Asia Pacific Forestry Commission. APFORGEN’s previous strategy, developed in 2017, helped the countries to raise over US$1.5 million for regional collaboration between 2018 and 2022. 

As APFORGEN celebrates its 20th anniversary, a strategy review workshop will be organised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from 14 to 17 March 2023. The meeting has the following objectives:
•    Review extent to which the current strategy was achieved, and related success factors and lessons learned 
•    Refine an updated regional strategy for 2023-2027 with 3-4 strategic objectives
•    Develop concrete project and activity plans to implement the strategic objectives through regional collaboration
•    Organise a webinar on the importance of tree seed supply in achieving national forest and landscape restoration targets, to raise awareness about the importance of APFORGEN’s work. 

The workshop is jointly organized by APFORGEN, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and the Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI). It is funded by the Republic of Korea through the National Institute of Forest Sciences (NIFOS) and the OneCGIAR Research Initiative on Nature-Positive Solutions.