Daniela Kleinschmit, president of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations, paid her first official visit to Korea in mid-December since assuming leadership, marking a step toward bolstering international cooperation in forest research and sustainable forest management.

IUFRO, established in 1892 and headquartered in Vienna, Austria, stands as a nonprofit and nongovernmental organization that leads the global network for forest science cooperation. Through its extensive network, IUFRO facilitates global collaboration in forest research and actively contributes to the United Nations' sustainable development goals.

The organization unites around 630 member organizations across more than 115 countries, representing over 15,000 scientists worldwide. It operates through nine scientific divisions, more than 50 research groups and over 180 working parties, with specialized initiatives, including the Development of Capacities and Science-Policy Programs, that connect research and policy through research capability building and scientific expertise.

To advance its mission, IUFRO conducts an average of 70 annual meetings and holds regular IUFRO World Congresses every 4 to 5 years.

During her five-day visit, Dec. 15-19 last year, Kleinschmit met with Minister of the Korea Forest Service Lim Sang-seop to discuss international forest cooperation initiatives while touring Korea's forest greening sites and forest welfare facilities.

She particularly noted the country's unprecedented success in forest restoration within just 50 years.

By Lee Kwon-hyung (kwonhl@heraldcorp.com), No Kyung-min (minmin@heraldcorp.com)