Korea Expands Forest Restoration and Climate Cooperation in Latin America

The Korea Forest Service (KFS) has announced plans to accelerate its official development assistance (ODA) projects in Latin America, leveraging Korea’s advanced forest restoration technology to support sustainable development in the region. The initiative includes projects in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Guyana, focusing on combating deforestation, restoring degraded lands, and enhancing local livelihoods.

In the Dry Corridor region of Central America, which includes Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, the Korea Forest Service has been actively working to restore degraded land and promote sustainable agroforestry. These efforts aim to improve local environmental conditions while providing economic benefits for communities.

Honduras was the first Central American country to partner with Korea on an ODA forest cooperation project. Since 2023, the two nations have collaborated on agroforestry and forest landscape restoration initiatives. This year, efforts will expand with the launch of a REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) project, designed to help Honduras curb greenhouse gas emissions.

In El Salvador, Korea has supported wildfire prevention and reforestation efforts along the Lempa River, one of the country’s most critical water sources. Firebreak forest belts have been established to prevent wildfires, while agroforestry initiatives have been introduced to restore degraded land. Additionally, Korea has provided high-performance wildfire suppression equipment, strengthening El Salvador’s capacity to manage forest fires.

Guatemala, where forests serve as a key livelihood source for Indigenous communities, has been another major focus of cooperation. The Korea Forest Service is working to establish sustainable production systems through forest restoration and the development of nurseries. In parallel, efforts are being made to strengthen public-private sector capacity, ensuring more effective and long-term forest management strategies.

Beyond Central America, the Korea Forest Service is also expanding its efforts in South America. In Guyana, Korea is collaborating with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) to address the climate crisis and prevent coastal erosion by restoring approximately 120 hectares of mangrove forests. The restoration project at Mahayka Beach is expected to play a crucial role in reducing tidal wave impacts, enhancing biodiversity, and improving the livelihoods of local residents engaged in fishing and agriculture. Over the next 25 years, the project has the potential to reduce 1.12 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, significantly contributing to Korea’s overseas carbon reduction and emissions trading efforts.

Nam Song-hee, Director of International Forest Cooperation at the Korea Forest Service, emphasized the growing global recognition of forests as a critical asset in addressing climate change. He stated that by utilizing Korea’s advanced forestry technology and strengthening cooperation with Latin American countries, Korea aims to contribute to overcoming the climate crisis and achieving national greenhouse gas reduction targets.

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