On Thursday, the Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute (KoAGI), under the Korea Forest Service, announced that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Inter-Korean Forest Cooperation Forum to preserve the forest ecosystem on the Korean Peninsula and address the climate crisis.
This agreement establishes a collaborative framework between the two organizations, leveraging their expertise in forest policy and professional networks. The partnership aims to jointly promote the conservation of forest biological resources and the expansion of forest culture across the Korean Peninsula.
Under the memorandum, both entities will undertake various initiatives, including: preserving native plant seeds and enhancing biodiversity; working towards achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and tackling climate change; promoting forest culture and raising public awareness; and strengthening academic exchanges and global networks.
Specifically, KoAGI will provide technical support for seed conservation and restoration, utilizing its infrastructure and specialized technology, such as the Baekdudaegan Global Seed Vault. Meanwhile, the Inter-Korean Forest Cooperation Forum will support collaborative projects by identifying forest cooperation policies and connecting expert networks.
Shim Sang-taek, Chairman of the KoAGI, stated that as climate change and forest degradation increase the importance of preserving the Korean Peninsula’s forest ecosystem, this agreement will serve as a catalyst for expanding cooperation in seed conservation and biodiversity protection. He added that it will continue to strengthen public-private partnerships to contribute to the conservation of forest biological resources and the promotion of forest culture.