IUCN and partners support Model Forests in Asia to advance sustainable landscape management

The Regional Model Forest Network – Asia (RMFN–Asia) is a community of practice promoting sustainable forest landscape management through the Model Forest approach. The Model Forest approach—developed by Canada in the 1990s and expanded through the International Model Forest Network (IMFN)—integrates flexible landscape and ecosystem management that balances the social, environmental, and economic needs of local communities with the long-term sustainability of large landscapes. Established in 2000, RMFN–Asia is one of six regional networks under the International Model Forest Network (IMFN). RMFN–Asia is composed of eight Model Forests in six countries (Thailand, China, India, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines), with additional prospective Model Forests being developed in Viet Nam and Bhutan.

Organised by RECOFTC—the RMFN-Asia Secretariat—with support from the IMFN, the 2026 Annual Advisory Committee Meeting took place in Paro, Bhutan, from 2 to 6 February in collaboration with the Department of Forests and Park Services of Bhutan. The meeting brought together over 50 representatives from eight existing Model Forests, three prospective Model Forests, and a variety of governmental and non-governmental partner organisations for technical and knowledge-sharing sessions, as well as field visits and cultural exchange.

Manpreet Kaur/IUCN India

This poster was presented at the RMFN-Asia meeting. It summarizes IUCN's work in Balkhila Model Forest, where IUCN India is supporting local women to develop environmentally-friendly value chains.

IUCN currently collaborates with the IMFN and RMFN–Asia through partnerships with Ngao Model Forest in Thailand, Lin’an Model Forest in China, and Balkhila Model Forest in India, as well as the IMFN more broadly, through the IUCN Forest and Grasslands Team, the IUCN Asia Regional Office, and the IUCN India Country Office. Through this partnership, IUCN is supporting Model Forests in several key ways, specifically:

1. Supporting Model Forests to tailor forest landscape restoration (FLR) interventions and related conservation actions to their specific contexts to advance climate-resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
2. Advancing gender-responsive approaches and supporting women’s leadership in their communities, including through sustainable value chain development and conservation initiatives.
3. Documenting and sharing stories from Model Forests and their community members, including to promote the Model Forest approach to decisionmakers at national and international levels.

At the meeting, IUCN presented on progress under its projects with the IMFN and led a technical session on a gender-forward forest landscape restoration (FLR) incubation and acceleration protocol for use in community-managed forest landscapes. Participants identified their past successes as well as ongoing challenges, then explored how a diversity of IUCN tools can be applied in their contexts to support landscape management and natural resource governance. Although contexts differ across Asia’s Model Forests, commonalities emerged, including the power of community organising, the human and environmental benefits of innovative value chains and sustainable livelihood development, challenges related to gender and youth, and emerging barriers related to resource

 mobilisation.

“The IMFN and its regional networks connect global ambition with local reality. This week, we saw how sustainable forest management practices work best when anchored in the contexts and livelihoods of local communities. Asia’s Model Forests are addressing sustainable management issues, governance challenges, and community needs, proving that we can achieve long-term results for people and forests through community engagement and strong partnerships,” said Chetan Kumar, Global Head, IUCN Forest and Grasslands Team.

“The real challenge is bringing everyone to the same table and understanding the needs of local communities, local governments, the private sector, and academics. All of these groups must be included in the Model Forest design and framework. That is the challenge, creating a unified, bottom-up approach,” said David Ganz, Executive Director, RECOFTC.

In 2026, IUCN will continue to build on this work alongside Model Forest partners, advancing benefits for forest-dependent communities and their landscapes, in Asia and beyond.
 

Check out the video montage above for a glimpse into the achievements of this RMFN-Asia convening.

Plus, listen to representatives from IUCN to hear more about their views on how the IMFN and Model Forests are benefitting people and nature.