Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation

What Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation does

The Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet) is an intergovernmental network organization founded in 2008 and headquartered at its Secretariat in Beijing, China, with a satellite Kunming Training Center. It serves 27 member economies spanning East, Southeast, South, Central, and South-west Asia, Oceania, and — since 2022 — Chile. APFNet advances sustainable forest management (SFM) and rehabilitation through four implementation tools: funding demonstration projects, delivering capacity-building programs, facilitating regional policy dialogue, and sharing knowledge via publications and online resources. Member economies include APEC and non-APEC governments, with governance provided by a Council, Board of Directors, and an elected Executive Director (currently Wang Chunfeng).

APFNet's product portfolio is a portfolio of programs and digital platforms rather than a unified software product. Core digital assets include the Climate AP model (a climate data platform providing high-accuracy Asia-Pacific climate data with virtualized maps), 14 SFM online courses co-developed with regional universities and accessible via the AP-FECM platform hosted at the University of British Columbia, and the AP Forestry Law and Policy Database. Capacity-building offerings comprise the APFNet Scholarship Program (ASP) for Masters and PhD study, the Kunming Training Center workshop series (23 workshops since 2009 serving 355 officials from 21 economies), and thematic training programs. Network programs include SANFRI (Sino-ASEAN), GCA-FCM (Greater Central Asia — 7 states), the Forest Planning Network (FPN), the Transboundary Wildlife Conservation Initiative (@Wild), the GMS Presidents' Forum of Forestry Universities (16 institutions), and the Pu'er Forum on Asia-Pacific Forests. The globally scoped Global Forest Network (GFN), jointly initiated by China and APFNet in 2023, extends APFNet's mandate worldwide.

APFNet operates a non-commercial revenue model funded by member-economy contributions and external grants; it charges no fees to program participants. It is governed under a formal Operational Framework (amended in 2025 under Article 3.3(a)) and engages member economies through designated focal points and government-to-government channels. Strategic alliances are maintained with IUCN (MoU renewed 2024 for five years), The Nature Conservancy (new strategic agreement June 2025), FAO, WWF, and APEC. As of November 2021, APFNet had funded 58 demonstration projects, and since 2016 its SFM Open Educational Resources have reached 15,000+ learners across 90+ economies.

Name

Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation

Legal name

Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation

Website

https://apfnet.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

APFNet is an intergovernmental network of 27 Asia-Pacific member economies that advances sustainable forest management through demonstration projects, capacity-building, policy dialogue, and knowledge platforms serving member governments and forestry professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainable Forest Management and Forestry Cooperation Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Forestry (11531), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Forestry & Reforestation (BPAGAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs (BPADABAO), Climate, Environment & Natural Resource Management Aid Programs (BPADABAI), Forest Carbon Projects & Ecosystem Services (Carbon Credits, Biodiversity) (IMAMAAAJ), Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

Keywords

• Sustainable forest management
• Forestry capacity building
• Forest policy dialogue
• Forest landscape restoration
• Forestry education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Changyang

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Contributions and Grants: APFNet operates as an intergovernmental network funded through contributions from member economies and potentially external grants. The organization funds projects, training programs, and policy dialogue activities across the Asia-Pacific region.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

APFNet advances regional sustainable forest management across the Asia-Pacific through four implementation tools: funding demonstration projects showcasing good practices, delivering capacity building and educational programs (scholarships, workshops, online courses), facilitating regional policy exchanges and dialogue events, and sharing information through publications and online resources. It serves as the principal intergovernmental cooperation platform connecting 27 member economies, forestry universities, and research institutes.

Product overview

APFNet operates as a network organization focused on advancing regional sustainable forest management (SFM) through a portfolio of interconnected programs and platforms rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include capacity building initiatives such as the APFNet Scholarship Program (ASP), SFM Online Courses through AP-FECM, and Thematic Training Programs; knowledge resources including the Climate AP Model for climate data analysis and the AP Forestry Law and Policy Database; and networking platforms such as the Global Network for Sustainable Forest Management (GFN), Sino-ASEAN Network of Forestry Research Institutes (SANFRI), Forest Planning Network (FPN), and Greater Central Asia Forest Cooperation Mechanism (GCA-FCM). Additionally, APFNet supports demonstration projects and specialized initiatives like the Transboundary Wildlife Conservation Initiative (@Wild) and the Pu'er Forum on Asia-Pacific Forests for policy dialogue.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• APFNet: Primary brand abbreviation for Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation
• 亚太森林组织
• GFN
• SANFRI
• GCA-FCM
• AP-FECM
• ASP
• @Wild

Products and services

• APFNet Scholarship Program (ASP) A scholarship initiative supporting capable forestry officials and young professionals from APFNet member economies to pursue higher academic degrees (Masters and PhD) in forestry at partner universities including Beijing Forestry University, Nanjing Forestry University, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, and Chulalongkorn University. Over 160 professionals from 20 member economies have been supported.
• SFM Online Courses Fourteen jointly developed sustainable forest management (SFM) courses with regional universities, regularly updated and accessible to global learners through the AP-FECM platform hosted at the University of British Columbia. Over 15,000 learners from 90+ economies have accessed the courses since 2016.
• Climate AP Model A climate data platform providing scale-free and high-accuracy climate data of the Asia-Pacific region, facilitating decision-making and action planning with virtualized climate maps for member economies and forestry planners.
• AP Forestry Law and Policy Database A database that tracks, updates, and shares forest-related laws, policies, strategies, and plans of regional economies across the Asia-Pacific, providing policymakers with a centralized reference for legislative and policy comparison.
• Global Network for Sustainable Forest Management (GFN) A global network jointly initiated by China and APFNet in 2023 to contribute to global development and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting SFM actions worldwide. APFNet manages GFN as a program.
• Sino-ASEAN Network of Forestry Research Institutes (SANFRI) A network facilitating collaboration among forestry research institutes to advance research and contribute to sustainable forest management, with specific actions including APFNet Conference Attendance Support, Research Fellowship, Small Research Grant, and Early Career Academics Forum.
• Asia-Pacific Forestry Education Coordination Mechanism (AP-FECM) A mechanism for collaboration among forestry universities to improve access to forestry education, teaching quality, curriculum, and research capacity across the Asia-Pacific region, including joint course development and AP-FECM online platform.
• Transboundary Wildlife Conservation Initiative (@Wild) An initiative exploring transboundary wildlife conservation opportunities in the Greater Mekong Subregion, focusing on balancing conservation with human needs in forest landscapes.
• Forest Planning Network (FPN) A network providing a platform for forestry dialogue and communication among forestry planners and policymakers in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Greater Central Asia Forest Cooperation Mechanism (GCA-FCM) A regional cooperation mechanism among China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for ministerial-level forestry cooperation and action.
• Presidents' Forum of Forestry Universities and Institutes in the Greater Mekong Subregion A platform for enhancing regional cooperation in forestry higher education and talent development, currently with 16 member institutions including Southwest Forestry University, Royal University of Agriculture Cambodia, Kasetsart University, and others.
• Trainers in Forestry (TIF) A capacity building program for developing forestry trainer capabilities across the Asia-Pacific region.
• Thematic Training Program International thematic training courses for forestry professionals across various topics related to sustainable forest management, delivered through the Kunming Training Center.
• Demonstration Projects APFNet-funded demonstration projects showcasing good practices in sustainable forest management, including sites in China (Inner Mongolia, Anhui, Zhejiang, Yunnan, Beijing), Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Fiji, and others. As of November 2021, APFNet had funded 58 projects with 31 closed, 24 ongoing, and 3 newly started.

Quantifiable outcome

• Forest area across APEC economies increased by 27.9 million hectares between 2007 and 2020
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025APFNet and TNC signed a new strategic partnership agreement in June 2025 to deepen collaboration on forest conservation and sustainable management initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 September 2024APFNet and IUCN renewed their MoU for another five years in September 2024, continuing their partnership on addressing forest loss and degradation, accelerating forest landscape restoration, enhancing forest ecosystems for climate change adaptation, and improving forest governance.
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration with FAO on forest-related assessments, including the APEC 2020 Forest Cover Goal assessment, and joint projects on sustainable forest management.
• Regional Model Forest Network-Asia (RMFN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with RMFN from 2017-2021 on the Lin'an Model Forest project demonstrating sustainable forest management and livelihood improvement in Southern China.
• Sino-ASEAN Network of Forestry Research Institutes (SANFRI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of forestry research institutes from ASEAN economies and China, launched in 2018, providing platform for research collaboration and young researcher support through conference attendance, fellowships, and research grants.
• Asia-Pacific Forestry Education Coordination Mechanism (AP-FECM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPFNet-initiated mechanism coordinating forestry education among universities including Beijing Forestry University, University of British Columbia, University of Melbourne, University Putra Malaysia, University of the Philippines Los Baños, and Chulalongkorn University.
• Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPFNet supports APEC Forestry Dialogues and contributes to APEC's forest-related goals, including the successful achievement of the APEC 2020 Forest Cover Goal.
• Greater Central Asia Forestry Cooperation Mechanism (GCA-FCM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPFNet facilitates the GCA-FCM bringing together China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan for ministerial-level dialogue and cooperation on forestry issues.
• WWF (World Wildlife Fund)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration at SER2025 presenting forest and landscape restoration initiatives across ASEAN through partnerships involving governments, financial institutions, and land managers.
• Greater Mekong Subregion Forestry UniversitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresidents' Forum of Forestry Universities and Institutes in the GMS includes 16 member institutions including Southwest Forestry University, Royal University of Agriculture Cambodia, Kasetsart University, and others for higher education cooperation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• UN-REDD Programme: UN-REDD is a UN collaborative initiative on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. It shares APFNet's intergovernmental model for forest cooperation, capacity building, and policy support, focused specifically on REDD+ and forest carbon.
• CIFOR-ICRAF: CIFOR-ICRAF is a research organization advancing sustainable forestry and landscape management globally. Comparable to APFNet in mission around sustainable forest management, capacity building, and demonstration of best practices, though it operates primarily through research rather than intergovernmental convening.
• International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO): ITTO is an intergovernmental organization promoting sustainable management and conservation of tropical forests. Like APFNet, it operates through member-economy contributions, funds demonstration projects, and convenes policy dialogue, making it the closest structural and functional peer.

Others

• The Nature Conservancy (TNC): TNC is a global conservation NGO and a strategic partner of APFNet since the June 2025 partnership renewal. They share overlapping agendas in forest conservation and sustainable management, though TNC operates through private philanthropy and direct land conservation rather than intergovernmental convening.
• WWF Forests: WWF's forest program is a long-standing APFNet collaborator (joint presentations at SER2025). They share overlapping missions around sustainable forestry, landscape restoration, and conservation financing, but WWF operates through private fundraising and global advocacy rather than intergovernmental coordination.
• World Bank Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF): FCPF is a World Bank-hosted global partnership providing results-based finance for REDD+. It is comparable to APFNet in facilitating intergovernmental cooperation and capacity building for forest programs, but focused specifically on carbon finance rather than broader SFM.
• World Resources Institute (WRI) - Global Forest Watch: WRI operates Global Forest Watch, a leading open-source forest monitoring platform. APFNet's Climate AP model and Forestry Law and Policy Database play a similar knowledge-sharing and data provision role, making WRI an adjacent ecosystem participant in the same information-sharing value chain.

Broad incumbents

• IUCN Forest Programme: IUCN operates a Forest Programme focused on forest landscape restoration, governance, and biodiversity. As APFNet's MoU partner, IUCN operates at global scale on overlapping themes of forest conservation, restoration, and policy advisory, but with broader conservation mandate beyond forestry.
• United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF): UNFF is the UN's intergovernmental policy forum on all types of forests. It shares APFNet's intergovernmental structure, policy dialogue function, and global-to-regional forestry cooperation mandate, but operates at the global UN level with broader membership.
• FAO Forestry Division: FAO's Forestry Division is the leading UN agency for global forestry policy, assessment, and technical cooperation. It is a current APFNet partner and far broader in scope, but addresses overlapping thematic areas of sustainable forest management, capacity building, and global forest assessments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/APFNetHQ
• Instagraminstagram.com/apfnethq
• Xx.com/apfnetalumni

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation