The 2026 APEC Ministerial Meeting on Forestry was held in Shenzhen yesterday and today with the adoption of a joint statement, bringing together high-level representatives, experts, and scholars from 21 APEC economies and seven international organizations. Discussions focused on advancing global forest goals and integrating technological innovation with green industries.

　　7月27日至28日，2026年亚太经合组织（APEC）林业部长级会议在广东省深圳市召开。会议期间，来自APEC 21个经济体和7个国际组织的高级别代表、专家学者，围绕推进全球森林目标，促进科技创新与绿色产业融合等核心议题开展系列对话磋商，并达成广泛共识，通过《2026年APEC林业部长会议联合声明》。

　　The joint statement calls on member economies to bolster biodiversity conservation, intensify law enforcement against the illegal trade of forest products, and incorporate sustainable forest management into national economic plans and policy frameworks. It urges increased investment in forestry development and legal trade, while supporting the value-chain enhancement of forest product processing. The statement also emphasizes regional cooperation in urban forestry and water resource management, using technological innovation to restore ecosystems and mitigate habitat fragmentation.

　　联合声明指出，期望各经济体促进生物多样性保护，加强打击林产品非法贸易执法工作，将森林治理和可持续森林管理纳入经济发展计划、政策框架与建议。结合各经济体的具体情况与发展重点，增加林业发展和合法林产品贸易的投融资机遇。支持林产品加工的转型升级和价值链提升。加强亚太区域在城市林业和水资源管理方面的合作，依托技术创新和可持续森林管理，修复生态系统、缓解栖息地碎片化。在符合可持续森林管理原则下，鼓励发展新兴森林产业、产品和服务。

　　Eduardo Pedrosa, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat, highlighted the urgency of the discussions. “Addressing sustainable forestryis incredibly important,” he said. “APEC had a goal to increase forest cover by 20 million hectares by 2020, and that was achieved. But as we heard from the ministers, they are continuing and even expanding those efforts.”

　　“推动可持续林业发展至关重要。”APEC秘书处执行主任爱德华多•佩德罗萨在接受英文《深圳日报》采访时说。“APEC曾设定到2020年增加2000万公顷森林覆盖的目标，这一目标已经实现。但正如我们从部长们那里听到的，他们正在继续努力，甚至进一步扩大这些成果。”

　　The Asia-Pacific region holds more than half of the world’s forest area, accounting for approximately 60% of global forest product output and 40% of its trade. The region also hosts the world’s most diverse terrestrial and coastal ecosystems, including nearly half of its mangroves.

　　亚太地区森林面积占全球一半以上，贡献了约全球60%的林产品生产和40%的林产品贸易，是全球陆地、海岸生态系统最富集的区域，并拥有全球近半的红树林资源。

　　As a central player in the region, China has contributed 25% of the world’s newly added green space. The country has placed 18% of its land under strict protection within its nature reserve system, which includes its first five national parks and a newly established national botanical garden system.

　　作为亚太共同体的重要成员，中国积极落实全球倡议，推动中国林业发展取得重要成就，为全球贡献25%的新增绿化面积，提前实现2030年国家自主贡献森林蓄积量目标。不断强化科学保护，建设以国家公园为主体的自然保护地体系，将18%的陆域国土面积纳入自然保护地严格保护，正式设立首批5个国家公园。建设国家植物园体系，形成科学系统的迁地保护网络。

　　China has implemented systematic governance through the integrated conservation and management of mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, grasslands, and deserts. Through reforms in collective forest tenure and State-owned forest management, the country has benefited more than 100 million forest farmers and 12 million herders. The forestry and grassland industry reached a total output of 11 trillion yuan (US$1.6 trillion) in 2025, supporting employment for more than 60 million people.

　　中国更加注重系统治理，统筹山水林田湖草沙一体化保护和系统治理，持续实施重要生态系统保护和修复重大工程，推行草原森林河流湖泊湿地休养生息。持续推进合理利用，不断深化集体林权制度改革、国有林区林场改革和草原保护改革，成果惠及1亿多林农和1200万牧民。不断壮大林草产业，2025年总产值达11万亿元，带动6000多万人就业增收。

　　China has prioritized Asia-Pacific forestry cooperation, initiating the Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation and establishing policy dialogue platforms such as the Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Forestry in Greater Central Asia. To date, China has supported more than 20 member economies in implementing over 50 forestry demonstration projects, investing more than US$45 million to restore over 1,300 hectares of degraded land. Additionally, China has hosted study programs for more than 200 forestry officials and provided specialized training for roughly 440 forestry managers.

　　同时，中国也高度重视加强亚太林业合作，推动构建更加公平合理的全球生态治理体系。倡议设立亚太森林恢复与可持续管理网络，发起建立大中亚地区林业部长级会议、普洱亚太林业论坛等高层政策对话平台。支持20多个经济体落地50余个林业示范项目，投入超4500万美元，修复退化土地1300余公顷。资助逾200名林业官员和学者来华学习，为约440名林业管理人员提供专题培训。

　　Wang Chunfeng, Secretary‑General of the Asia‑Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet), highlighted China’s contribution—“roughly 25% of the world’s net forest increase has come from China”—and pointed to future collaboration with the International Mangrove Center and the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization on restoration, capacity building, and policy frameworks. APFNet’s 2026‑2030 strategy, he added, will focus on local livelihoods and closer alignment with climate and biodiversity goals.

　　亚太森林组织秘书长王春峰指出，近几年全球森林面积增长中约25%来自中国。他同时表示，未来将与新成立的国际红树林中心和国际竹藤组织在红树林修复、能力建设以及政策框架构建等方面加强合作。王春峰还透露，亚太森林恢复与可持续管理网络（简称“亚太森林组织”）已发布第四期战略规划（2026—2030年），未来五年将在继续聚焦区域森林恢复和可持续管理的基础上，更加注重推动务实合作落地，并进一步强化与全球应对气候变化和生物多样性保护目标的协同。

　　The meeting is a flagship event of APEC China 2026 and marks the first APEC meeting with an ecological theme held in China in 15 years.

　　此次会议是APEC“中国年”系列重要活动之一，也是APEC时隔15年再次在中国举办的生态领域专业会议。

　　On the sidelines of the summit, an exhibition showcased China’s progress in ecological civilization. Delegates also participated in field visits in Shenzhen, including mangrove seedling planting, smart forestry demonstrations, and a tour of the Dasha River Ecological Corridor, gaining firsthand insight into the city’s efforts to balance economic development with environmental protection.

　　会议期间，举办了中国生态文明实践成就展，全面展现中国生态文明建设成效。会议代表还在深圳开展生态参访，举办红树育苗活动，观摩智慧林业，考察大沙河生态长廊，实地了解深圳统筹发展与保护，推动城市森林建设和湿地保护修复的经验与成效。

　　Pedrosa noted Shenzhen’s balanced approach to urban growth. “It’s fascinating to see how Shenzhen has developed over the last two decades—skyscrapers alongside extensive greenery and protected mangroves,” he said. “Geospatial planning and zoning are crucial to ensure we urbanize without losing sustainability. Green spaces absorb heat and even act as firebreaks. Having those green barriers helps prevent fire risks.”

　　佩德罗萨在采访中表示，深圳在城市增长中实现了平衡发展。“观察深圳过去二十年的发展非常有意思——摩天大楼与大片绿地和受保护的红树林并存。地理空间规划和区域划分至关重要，能确保我们在城市化进程中不失去可持续性。绿地可以吸收热量，甚至起到防火隔离带的作用。拥有这些绿色屏障有助于防范火灾风险。”