Photo Informburo.kz
The project will be implemented until 2027.
On April 22, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Ecology Erlan Nysanbayev, South Korean company KT&G and the Asian Forestry Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) signed a memorandum of understanding. The document formalizes the launch of a joint environmental project to restore forests destroyed by the country’s largest fires in the Abay region.
The project aims to restore more than 100 hectares within the Semey Ormany State Nature Reserve, where about 60,000 hectares of forest were destroyed by fire in 2023. The work will be carried out until 2027 with financial support from KT&G in the amount of 1 billion won (approximately 367.7 million tenge).
According to the Minister of Ecology of Kazakhstan, this agreement is an important step towards sustainable development and protection of natural ecosystems. He noted that climate risks such as forest fires are becoming increasingly relevant for Kazakhstan, and thanked the South Korean side for its willingness to invest in the restoration of nature.
“We know that forest fires have recently occurred in South Korea as well. That is why it is especially valuable for us that you are taking the initiative and are ready to participate in projects based on nature and sustainable development,” the head of the Ministry of Ecology noted.
KT&G President and CEO Bang Kyung-man emphasized that this project is part of his company’s global environmental strategy Green Impact, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and protecting biodiversity. He especially noted the cultural and natural significance of the Abay region for Kazakhstan.
“The Abay region is a symbol of Kazakhstan’s nature. We could not remain on the sidelines. Our contribution is not a one-time assistance, but part of the large Green Impact strategy, which is already working around the world,” said Bang Kyung-Man.
The project will be implemented in cooperation with the Korea Association of Forest Restoration Technologies. In February of this year, a restoration site was identified within the Semey Ormany Nature Reserve, and field research began in April. The main work plan will be completed by May, and by the end of the year, experimental sites of about 20 hectares with the possibility of long-term monitoring will be created. Full forest restoration across the entire territory – more than 100 hectares – will be completed by April 2026. Completion of the entire project is scheduled for the end of 2027.
According to AFoCO representative Lee Seong-han, the program includes scientific and practical training of specialists, as well as restoration of fire-resistant forest plantations.
“Fires are not just a disaster. They are a vicious cycle: burned forests release carbon, increasing climate change and the risk of new fires. Breaking this cycle is our goal,” said Lee Sung-han.
The initiative is a follow-up to the memorandum signed between AFoCO and KT&G in December 2024, which laid the foundation for joint efforts on sustainable forest management and climate change mitigation in Asia.
https://informburo.kz/novosti/iuznaia-koreia-vosstanovit-lesa-v-abaiskoi-oblasti-posle-pozarov-podpisan-trexstoronnii-memorandum