The Korea Forest Service (KFS) and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on Friday, January 23, 2026, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the implementation of the third phase of the Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI).
Since its inception in 2014, FERI has underpinned national efforts in many parts of the world, supporting countries to develop and implement restoration projects, strengthening capacity, promoting South-South cooperation and mobilising knowledge and best practices.
Under the freshly signed MoU, the KFS is committing 700 million Korean Won yearly from 2026 to 2028 for the implementation of the Initiative, with a view to extend further financial support until 2030.
“We at the Secretariat of the CBD are grateful to the Republic of Korea for demonstrating leadership and commitment to international cooperation at a time when they are sorely needed to address the environmental crises afflicting our planet,” said Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the CBD.
“The generous Korean support to this third phase of FERI will bring welcome impetus in the global race to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in the world’s forests and across connected ecosystems,” added Schomaker.
Kim In-ho, Minister of the KFS, said, “Thanks to the enduring partnership between the KFS and the Secretariat of the CBD under FERI, the Republic of Korea has been able to play a constructive role in advancing forest restoration globally.”
He added: “The KFS will remain committed to contributing to biodiversity conservation and a sustainable future.”
The third phase of FERI will contribute to accelerating the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), notably by underpinning the pursuit of forest-related commitments articulated in the National Biodiversity Strategies and Actions Plans (NBSAPs).
Under this new MoU, the Initiative will continue to foster the participation of a wide range of actors, including indigenous peoples and local communities, the custodians of a sizeable portion of the planet’s biodiversity. The range of planned activities includes developing capacity, mobilising resources, and promoting the exchange of knowledge and best practices.
In this way, FERI-supported activities will yield benefits across many of the targets of the KMGBF, including Target 2, pertaining to the restoration of 30 per cent of the world’s degraded ecosystems by 2030.