Korea’s reforestation legacy joins UNESCO’s Memory of the World

A national effort to re-green a war-torn landscape is now part of the world's documentary heritage—and a living model for land restoration efforts supported by the UNCCD and embodied in the Changwon Initiative.

When Korea emerged from the devastation of war, its mountains stood bare and lifeless. Yet in one of the most remarkable environmental transformations of the 20th century, the country mobilized a generation to bring back its forests—tree by tree, hillside by hillside.

In April 2025, UNESCO added the Korea Reforestation Archives to its Memory of the World Register — recognizing them as a vital record of environmental recovery and a source of global inspiration. This milestone comes as countries urgently seek effective solutions to fight desertification and climate change — often with the support of the Changwon Initiative, Korea’s global contribution to land restoration.

A story rooted in restoration, governance and community

The archives document more than 9,600 items chronicling Korea’s ambitious reforestation journey, which began with the First 10-Year National Forest Plan (1973–1978). What made Korea’s approach unique wasn’t only its scale, but its foundation in sound public policy and broad civic participation.

Through erosion control, rural engagement and the restoration of degraded land, forest volume surged from 5.6㎥/ha in the 1960s to 165㎥/ha in 2020—making Korea one of the few countries to achieve true national-scale forest recovery.

This legacy of bold, coordinated and inclusive land restoration would later serve as the inspiration for the Changwon Initiative, launched in 2011 by the Korea Forest Service and the UNCCD to share Korea’s model with the world.

From national success to global support: The Changwon Initiative

The principles and practices of Korea’s forest recovery are now channeled into the Changwon Initiative, which helps countries design and implement land restoration strategies aligned with the UNCCD’s Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) goals. Through technical assistance, capacity-building and policy alignment, the Initiative has supported restoration efforts in over a dozen countries—helping others plant the seeds of sustainability that once transformed Korea’s barren hills into thriving forests.

As former UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw noted:

"Korea’s reforestation legacy is not just history—it is a roadmap. It shows what can be achieved when policy, science and local communities come together to heal the land."

This roadmap continues to guide the Changwon Initiative’s work—translating Korea’s past experience into present-day solutions for countries facing land degradation, drought and environmental fragility.

A model for a crisis-prone eorld

In early 2025, as wildfires once again swept across parts of South Korea, the resilience of restored ecosystems was put to the test. Such events highlight a key lesson: restoration must be ongoing, adaptive and inclusive.

The timing of UNESCO’s recognition — just months after UNCCD COP16 in Riyadh, where global attention turned to land restoration, resilience and partnerships — underscores the continued relevance of Korea’s experience.

A natural ally for the Peace Forest Initiative

The Korea Reforestation Archives also serve as a guiding resource for the Peace Forest Initiative (PFI), a joint programme by the UNCCD and the Korea Forest Service. Like the Changwon Initiative, PFI builds on Korea’s legacy by promoting cooperation and peacebuilding through shared environmental action in fragile and conflict-affected areas.

Korea’s historical experience—restoring not only ecosystems but also national morale and rural economies—offers practical and inspirational support for both initiatives. Whether in divided regions or degraded landscapes, the model forged in Korea proves that land restoration can be a unifying force.

Looking ahead

As the world prepares for COP17 in Mongolia in 2026, Korea’s archived journey stands as both a benchmark and a toolkit. The Changwon Initiative ensures that this legacy remains dynamic — no longer confined to history books, but alive in the forests and fields of countries striving for environmental recovery today.

Korea’s forest story is now part of the world’s story — and it continues to grow, one restored landscape at a time, wherever countries choose to reclaim their land and their future.