16 October 2014: At the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 12), the Government of the Republic of Korea launched the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI) to support implementation of Aichi Biodiversity Targets on restoration and protected areas.

FERI aims to assess the costs and benefits of restoration, identify degraded areas with potential for restoration, fund the implementation of restoration activities, and support the protection of the rights of different forest users. It is specifically intended to enhance the achievement of Aichi Targets 5 (reduced loss and fragmentation), 11 (protected areas), and 15 (ecosystem restoration). The Initiative will also build on the Hyderabad Call for a Concerted Effort on Ecosystem Restoration, issued at the margins of CBD COP 11.

Speaking on the Initiative, Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary, CBD, said that through FERI, the Republic of Korea will be able to share its expertise at the global level to help other countries achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The six-year Initiative will be funded by a US$6 million investment by the Republic of Korea. [CBD Press Release] [World Agroforestry Centre Blog] [Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative] [IISD RS coverage of CBD COP 12]