2 November 2023, Tokyo – The Global Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held the second FRA 2025 workshop for Asian countries from 30 October to 2 November 2023 in Tokyo, Japan. The workshop was organized with the support of the Forestry Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.

Following the first workshop for Asian countries held in April 2023 from Bangkok, Thailand, this event marked the conclusion of the reporting process for the region. The workshop was a key occasion for National Correspondents and their collaborators to discuss with the expert FRA reviewers feedback received on country reports with the aim of finalizing and submitting them for final approval.

Technical expertise, collaboration and forest exploration

A total 38 individuals participated in the workshop, among whom were 25 National Correspondents and alternates from 20 countries. The participants received guidance and technical assistance for the finalization of their FRA 2025 country reports to ensure that the reported data were complete and consistent with transparent and traceable estimates. For the countries that could not attend the first workshop in Bangkok, guidance was provided on the functionalities of the FRA data platform and the related reporting requirements.

In addition to the comprehensive and hands-on technical assistance provided through this workshop on the use of the online platform, National Correspondents had the opportunity to identify and proprely address outstanding issues that they faced in the compilation of country reports. Experience and knowledge sharing on forest reporting among National Correspondents was also facilitated to establish a stronger network.

In appreciation of the beauty and functionality of the nearby ecosystem, a field trip was organized in the forest of the Hinohara Village. With an altitude of 1 000–1 500 metres above sea level, this mountain park outside of Tokyo was explored along with a local wooden toy museum where toys are made with woods sourced from the Hinohara Village.

As a notable outcome, 15 country reports from the region were finalized and submitted for final approval as a direct result of this workshop, of which marks a great success for the progress of FRA 2025. Facing the future, the participating countries were informed about the next phase of the reporting process to validate country reports and publish the results for continued success. 

Learn more

• Website: Global Forest Resources Assessments

• Platform: FRA 2020

• Video: Insight into the Global Forest Resources Assessment process

• Game: Forest Kids – Biodiversity