China Hosts APEC Forestry Ministerial Meeting in Shenzhen, Endorsing Joint Statement

On July 27–28, 2026, China hosted the APEC Forestry Ministerial Meeting in Shenzhen, marking the first APEC specialized ecological meeting held in the country in 15 years. Delegates from 21 APEC member economies and seven international organizations adopted a Joint Statement aimed at strengthening biodiversity conservation, combating illegal timber trade, and integrating sustainable forest management into economic planning. Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng emphasized China's commitment to accelerating a green transition and fostering regional ecological resilience under the theme of 'Enhancing Forest Resilience in the Asia-Pacific and Sharing Ecological Well-being for All.'

The adoption of the joint statement highlights renewed regional efforts to combat ecosystem fragmentation and illegal trade across Asia-Pacific economies, which collectively account for over half of the world's forest area. As part of APEC 'China Year' events, the ministerial gathering serves as a key platform for Beijing to project its domestic ecological policies—such as its national park system covering 18% of land territory—into broader regional sustainability frameworks.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 APEC Forestry Ministerial Meeting in Shenzhen on July 28, calling for deeper regional cooperation to advance high-quality forestry development and support green transformation across the Asia-Pacific. The two-day conference, held from July 27 to 28 under the theme 'Enhancing Forest Resilience in the Asia-Pacific and Sharing Ecological Well-being for All,' brought together senior representatives from 21 APEC member economies and seven international organizations. It marked the first time in 15 years that China hosted an APEC specialized meeting focused on the ecological sector. In his speech, He Lifeng stated that the Asia-Pacific region contains over half of the world's forest resources and represents one of the most biodiverse regions globally. He noted that through collective effort, the region has become a major force in reversing the global decline in forest cover. Reaffirming Beijing's policy direction under Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, He stated that China will continue to accelerate its comprehensive green transition while working alongside regional partners to promote sustainable forestry development. The meeting concluded with the adoption of the 2026 APEC Forestry Ministerial Meeting Joint Statement. Under the statement, member economies agreed to enhance biodiversity protection, strengthen law enforcement cooperation against the illegal trade of forest products, and integrate sustainable forest management into national economic development plans and regulatory frameworks. The agreement also encourages expanding investment and financing channels for sustainable forestry, supporting the structural transformation and value-chain upgrading of wood product processing, and fostering emerging forest-based industries. Furthermore, the joint declaration emphasizes ecosystem restoration, urban forestry cooperation, and water resource management to address habitat fragmentation. Chinese official data presented at the event highlighted domestic progress, noting that China has contributed 25% of global net greening and met its 2030 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) forest stock target ahead of schedule. China has also incorporated 18% of its land area into a protected area system centered on national parks, including its first batch of five established national parks. As part of APEC 'China Year' activities, Beijing signaled its intent to leverage these domestic achievements to deepen multilateral ecological partnerships.