Enviro News Asia, Dushanbe – The Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) has expanded its regional partnerships by signing two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with Bridges Outcomes Partnerships (BOP) and World Vision Korea (WVK), a move aimed at strengthening sustainable forestry, climate resilience, and innovative financing mechanisms across Asia.
The agreements were signed during the 2026 Annual Thematic Dialogue in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on June 3, as governments and development organizations seek to scale up forest-based solutions to address climate change, biodiversity degradation, and sustainable development challenges.
The new partnerships are expected to reinforce AFoCO’s flagship blended finance initiative in Cambodia while creating opportunities to mobilize greater investment for forestry and community-based climate projects throughout the region.
AFoCO said demand for forest and nature-based climate solutions continues to rise, yet many local forestry initiatives still struggle to secure long-term financing and technical assistance. Through collaboration with organizations possessing complementary expertise and networks, the organization aims to transform promising concepts into scalable projects.
One of the agreements, signed with Bridges Outcomes Partnerships, focuses on developing innovative financing mechanisms capable of attracting larger investments into forestry and nature-based climate solutions.
Under the partnership, AFoCO and BOP will support the development of the RE-SOLVE Project in Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, a community-led initiative designed to enhance environmental sustainability and local livelihoods. The two organizations will also explore opportunities to replicate similar financing models in other AFoCO Member Countries.
The collaboration seeks to advance outcomes-based financing and blended finance approaches that can help bridge funding gaps between development priorities and private-sector investment. AFoCO and BOP will also exchange technical expertise, knowledge, and networks to build a stronger pipeline of forestry and climate projects capable of attracting long-term capital.
AFoCO also entered into a separate agreement with World Vision Korea to strengthen cooperation in forestry, community development, and climate resilience programs.
Through the partnership, AFoCO and WVK will work together on initiatives that support vulnerable communities affected by climate change. Areas of cooperation include climate resilience programs, sustainable livelihood development, afforestation activities, forest management, technical cooperation, and the exploration of co-financing and blended finance opportunities.
The organization said both agreements support a broader objective of connecting financial resources, technical expertise, and local implementation efforts to expand the impact of forest-based climate action across Asia.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, AFoCO Executive Director Chongho Park underscored the importance of cross-sector partnerships in addressing increasingly complex environmental and development challenges.
“Meaningful progress requires collaboration across sectors and institutions. Through these partnerships, AFoCO seeks to connect knowledge, finance, and implementation capacity to generate greater impact for forests and communities across the region,” Park said.
AFoCO expects the partnerships to strengthen its role as a regional platform that brings together governments, development agencies, investors, and local communities to create favorable conditions for sustainable forestry investment and climate action.
As climate-related risks intensify and financing needs continue to grow, the organization said it will continue pursuing practical partnerships that help translate climate commitments into tangible results, while supporting resilient landscapes, stronger communities, and long-term forest conservation across Asia. (*)
