The Korea Forest Service submitted a bid last week to host the 15th World Forestry Congress in Seoul, officials said.

The WFC, also known as the “Olympics of Forestry District,” is the largest international conference where delegates discuss countermeasures for forest maintenance, management and economic problems by sharing knowledge and experience every six years. Being nominated as a host city would imply that the hosting country’s forestry service is globally recognized. 

The proposal was delivered to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization and presented at the FAO Committee on Forestry, where 600 representatives from 120 countries gathered at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, to go over global forest issues and discuss Sustainable Development Goals on the future forestry service from July 18 to 22.

Seventeen Korean government delegates were sent there, including Korea Forest Service Minister Shin Won-sop.

Minister Shin started the proposal with brief reasons why Seoul is the most suitable city for hosting the WFC in 2021. In a speech, he said that Korea has a successful history in reforestation after the Korean War and is “ready and able” to share its experience and technology to expand the vision for the future of forestry.

Rah Seung-yun, a communications adviser for KFS and co-CEO of Oratio, continued the proposal with more detailed explanation on Seoul’s capability as a host city.

She said that Korea has successfully launched many international conferences, such as the International Wildland Fire Conference and IUFRO World Congress. Thus, the country is capable of execute efficiently the organization of the WFC, based on its experience.

“Current partnership between agencies like FAO and KFS will be bolstered and yield mutual benefits if the WFC is held in Korea,” Rah added during her speech.

The KFS further highlighted what it means to hold the WFC in Asia-Pacific, “considering the desirability of regional rotation.” Since the first congress in 1926, the WFC has been held in Asia-Pacific only twice, and the last time was nearly 40 years ago in Indonesia.

In reponse to a video shown when the proposal was delivered, many foreign delegates appeared impressed with Seoul’s innovative plan in transforming once barren land into lush, green forest, according to KFS officials.

The officials said Korea has promoted various welfare programs that use restored forests, such as operating forests for healing and forest kindergartens, and fostering urban forests in major cities.

“We are sharing those policies with countries including Canada, China and Indonesia through exchange and cooperation programs,” a KFS official said.

In addition to the proposal, the KFS held a series of bilateral meetings with China, Paraguay and Chile to ask for support, and hosted “Night of Korea” to promote Seoul last Wednesday.

The WFC host city will be announced in December at the FAO Council in Italy based on the proposals during the FAO Committee on Forestry.

By Lee Kwon-hyoung (kwonhl@heraldcorp.com) and Shin Min-gyu(mingyu2449@heraldcorp.com)