The 2026 APEC Ministerial Meeting on Forestry (MMRF6) was held in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, from 27 to 28 July under the theme “Towards a Green Asia-Pacific that Advances Forest Resilience and Ecological Well-being for All”“Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together” . The meeting brought together ministers, representatives and experts from 21 APEC economies and 7 international organizations. For the first time, mangrove conservation was included as a key agenda item, with representatives exchanging views on mangrove conservation and restoration, ecosystem functions, ,blue carbon value, and enhancing coastal ecosystem resilience., demonstrating broad recognition of the importance of strengthening regional cooperation on mangrove conservation.
Opening ceremony of the 2026 APEC Ministerial Meeting on Forestry (Photo by Fu Chao)
During the meeting, representatives from 15 economies, including Australia, China，Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Mexico, shared experiences and perspectives on mangrove conservation, restoration and sustainable management. The Australian representativestressed the importance of strengthening international cooperation on mangrove conservation, restoration and blue carbon-related initiatives. The Malaysian representative shared experiences in science-based mangrove management and integrating conservation with sustainable use, while calling for enhanced knowledge and best practice exchange. The Philippine representative emphasized the important role of local communities in mangrove conservation and promoted integrated governance approaches that advance both ecosystemconservation and community well-being.
Home to nearly half of the world’s mangrove resources, the Asia-Pacific Regionthe Asia-Pacific region plays a vital role in global mangrove conservation. Ministers and senior representatives pointto mangroves’importance for disaster resilience, food security and economic growth, and stressed the need forstronger action to protect Asia-Pacific forestsin response to growing challenges from mangrove loss and other environmental pressures.International organizations also spoke to how partnerships are turning policy into action, citingAsia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet)’s long-running forest restoration work across the Asia-Pacific, alongside International Mangrove Center (IMC)'s role as a dedicated platform for mangrove conservation cooperation.
Growing in intertidal zones, mangroves are an important component of tropical and subtropical coastal forests, connecting terrestrial forests and marine ecosystems. They play a unique role in safeguarding coastal ecological security, conserving biodiversity, storing blue carbon and enhancing climate resilience. Strengthening mangrove conservation and restoration and promoting sustainable management of coastal ecosystems are important for advancing green development in the region.
From a global initiative for mangrove conservation cooperation to an international platform supporting knowledge exchange, scientific and technical cooperation, capacity building andpilotprojects,
As a key outcome of the meeting,the Joint Statement of the 2026 APEC Ministerial Meeting on Forestry (MMRF6)emphasizedthe multiple values and contributions of forests, including mangroves, in supporting economic growth, human well-being and biodiversity conservation, and called for joint action to enhance forest resilience and address forest loss and degradation.
From a global initiative for mangrove conservation cooperation to an international platform supporting knowledge exchange, scientific and technical cooperation, capacity building and pilot projects,the International Mangrove Center (IMC)continues to expand its partnership network and promote practical actions for mangrove conservation and restoration. Moving forward, the IMC will further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with partners across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of mangrove ecosystems and enhanced coastal resilience.