10 June 2015
ASEAN Social Forestry Experts Meet
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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Social Forestry Network (ASFN) met from 1-5 June 2015 for its 6th Conference and 9th Annual Meeting.

The conference focused on the role of social forestry in supporting community livelihoods and environmental conservation.

ASEAN ASFN4 June 2015: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Social Forestry Network (ASFN) met from 1-5 June 2015 for its 6th Conference and 9th Annual Meeting. The conference focused on the role of social forestry in supporting community livelihoods and environmental conservation.

Overall the meeting facilitated discussions on safeguards in forestry investments, the management of multi-functional landscapes, governance of forest landscapes and approaches to benefit sharing. The meeting also considered the proposed 5-year Action Plan for ASFN for 2016-2020 and the Strategic Plan of Actions of ASFN for 2016-2025. Main priorities outlined in ASFN plans include social forestry in climate change mitigation and adaptation (including REDD+), biodiversity conservation and community economy and livelihoods.

Discussions also focused on the emerging challenges to social forestry in ASEAN including from expanded infrastructure investments, the opening up of trade and labor markets and expected economic growth. To address such challenges, meeting participants called for greater communication between governments and with the private sector, integrated policies across the region and strengthening of land tenure and use rights.

The meeting was held in Inle Lake, Myanmar and was attended by more than 200 participants representing governments, local communities and stakeholder groups, research organizations and the private sector. [ASFN Press Release] [World Agroforestry Centre Press Release] [Publication: ASEAN Social Forestry Network]

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