The Korea Forest Service (KFS) Minister, Mr. Kim Jae-Hyun has a new policy, ‘Peace Forest Initiative,’ instituted will provide a practical platform to encourage international alliance by demonstrating the value of achieving land degradation neutrality in cross-border and post-conflict situations.
Speaking at a press briefing to announce this, he indicated that cooperative efforts on sustainable land management, forestry, and land rehabilitation can facilitate economic cooperation.
Kim said, “The initiative is in the early stages, and we are proposing it as a global initiative where actually all people living in border areas in many countries can participate.”
He indicated that the initiative would create more green jobs in the coming years and contribute to the alleviation of political tension, reconciliation and become a part of permanent peace-building processes between any two countries.
“The world seems divided because of borders but we can restore the ecosystem in border and conflict areas by the participation of local communities, the Peace Park between Ecuador and Peru is the proof that afforestation brings peace, security, and goodwill among two countries.”
He said, “More than 10 billion trees were planted in Korea; it was possible through strong leadership, people’s willingness and participation.”
They brought together representatives from the African Union Commission, Government Ministers including those from countries participating in the Pan African Agency for the Great Green Wall Initiative; Prime Minister’s, Heads of COP Delegation from UNCCD parties, the UN, IGOs, regional actors; private sector stakeholders and Civil Society Organizations.
The pressing briefing was held at the back of the 14th Session of the Conference of the Parties to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, in New Delhi India.
The Session was organized by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in collaboration with the government of India on the theme – Let’s move towards a greener future.
