Thethird ‘’Asia-Pacific Urban Forestry Meeting (APUFM)’’ kicked off virtually and will last until 29 October 2021. The event is organized by FAO with the support of UNEP, UN-Habitat, IUCN, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Over 450 technical experts, scientists, practitioners, policy makers, NGOs, international organizations and other stakeholders have registered for the event. The participants will share experiences and innovations in urban forestry and identify concrete actions and collaboration opportunities to expedite the implementation of the Seoul Action Plan.

Over 50 percent of the global population lives in cities today and over 67 percent of the population in the Asia-Pacific region is likely to live in cities by 2050. “Sustainable models of urban growth and well-organized development are needed to meet the needs of the urban residents for ecosystem services and their desires to connect with nature” - said Sheila Wertz-Kanounnikoff, Senior Forestry Officer, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, in her opening remarks.