Primary forests across the region are managed for a range of purposes: production, conservation, protection, and customary use, and sit under diverse tenure and governance arrangements, held and managed by states, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and the private sector. Remote sensing analysis (CIFOR-ICRAF and FAO, 2022) shows that a significant proportion lies outside national protected area systems. Many of these forests are transboundary, with contiguous landscapes crossing national borders that present opportunities for coordinated conservation. Yet the region lacks a shared vision, coordinated agenda, or coherent policies for primary forests. Without this foundation, conservation efforts remain fragmented across countries and sectors, limiting their collective impact. 

Our approach

The SEAP Forests IP, in partnership with RECOFTC, is facilitating the development of a gender-responsive regional ambition for primary forests. The process is iterative and builds on thematic priorities identified through a whole-of-society approach by stakeholders including governments, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, and research organizations. The work responds to a mandate expressed by the Asia-Pacific Forestry Commission and will be anchored to the extent possible in other regional coordination mechanisms, ensuring long-term political ownership beyond the program.