The Biggest Conservation and Forestry Network (and pipeline) You've Never Heard of: AFoCO (Asian Forest Cooperation Organization) and the Opportunity for Private Capital

Asia’s forests are at a critical crossroads—threatened by deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss, yet holding immense potential for carbon sequestration, sustainable livelihoods, and economic resilience. This session brings together experts from the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO), Artha Networks Inc. (ANI) and selected other practitioners to showcase examples of systematic approaches to project preparation, blended finance and real private sector engagement in high-impact forestry and climate resilience projects across Asia. AFoCO’s unique intergovernmental structure provides an unmatched entry point into 17 member countries with an evolving pipeline of conservation and forestry initiatives. By shedding light on the hundreds of projects financed by public money in this context, we aim to bridge the gap in this case (and others like it) between mission-driven private investors and large-scale nature-focused investible projects underwritten by national authorities and governments. Those who attend will explore how innovative financing models ranging from carbon markets to impact-driven market-based solutions (MbS) can be woven together to create scalable, long-term impact. We’ll look at cases and create the space for interactive discussions, with the goal of empowering participants to take actionable steps toward financing and scaling conservation efforts in Asia. The session will be structured to encourage open dialogue and knowledge sharing, ensuring that diverse perspectives, particularly from underrepresented voices in the climate finance and conservation space, are amplified.