From 24–26 June 2026, FSC International members from Asia-Pacific gathered in Kuala Lumpur for a Regional Members Meeting. One of the clearest messages to emerge from the meeting came from the youth session: young people are not waiting to be invited into the future of forestry—they are already helping shape it.
During a panel featuring representatives from the International Forestry Students' Association (IFSA) and RECOFTC, speakers challenged the familiar idea that the youth is simply the next generation of forest leaders. Instead, they highlighted that across Asia-Pacific young people are restoring landscapes, strengthening community governance, advancing forest policy, bridging Indigenous knowledge with digital innovation, and mobilising their peers to care for forest.
Earl Justin Catibog from IFSA captured one of the meeting's most remarkable moments: "We don't need recognition anymore. We need integration."
The panel exchange emphasised that youth should not be viewed in isolation, but alongside women, Indigenous Peoples and local communities whose voices are equally important in shaping forestry's future. The panel engaged in a rich discussion with FSC members on how organisations can move beyond symbolic representation by creating genuine opportunities for students and young professionals to influence initiatives, contribute their expertise and work alongside experienced leaders creating a pathway for intergenerational collaboration.
This conversation allowed reflecting not only on youth engagement, but on how FSC can continue building a more inclusive and intergenerational movement.
Listening to what matters
Throughout the meeting, members engaged directly with FSC colleagues on several initiatives.
A key discussion focused on the ongoing revision of Principles & Criteria (P&C) and International Generic Indicators (IGI). Members welcomed efforts to simplify and modernise the framework, but they emphasised that simplification should never come at the expense of FSC's environmental and social integrity. The session also served as a call to action for members in the region and to engage more actively in upcoming consultations and help ensure that regional perspectives are reflected throughout the revision process.
A focused session on smallholders and how FSC can better support the many small forest managers and producers across the Asia-Pacific region. Members highlighted the importance of making certification more accessible and practical by reducing unnecessary complexity while maintaining the robustness and credibility of FSC's standards. Discussions reinforced that solutions must reflect the region's diverse realities and ensure that smallholders can continue to participate meaningfully in responsible forest management.
Another important discussion centred on the FSC Remedy Framework, a topic of particular relevance in the region. Rather than focusing solely on the framework itself, the session explored what successful implementation looks like in practice. Members raised questions about proportionality, responsibilities, implementation challenges and how organisations can demonstrate meaningful remedy while operating in different legal and social contexts. Some also shared practical experiences from the region, reinforcing the importance of learning from implementation, strengthening dialogue and building confidence in how the framework supports accountability and trust.
Additional sessions on the Chain of Custody revision and engaging Indigenous Peoples in Asia-Pacific provided further opportunities for members to ask detailed questions, exchange regional experiences and contribute directly to ongoing FSC work.
Shared priorities. Shared action.
Beyond the technical sessions, the meeting created valuable space for members to learn from one another. Conversations around progress on motions implementation, the FSC Global Strategy 2027–2032, the Climate and Biodiversity Strategic Framework, and System Integrity showed a strong appetite for practical dialogue on how global ambitions can be translated into action across the diverse realities of the Asia-Pacific region. Members also emphasised the importance of clear communication, transparency and continuing these conversations beyond regional meetings.
The meeting closed with a regional synthesis led by Dr. TR Manoharan, Linda Fienberg, Rulita Wijayaningdyah and Stuart Valintine, FSC Board representatives, Marc Jessel, Chief Engagement Officer, Cindy Cheng, Asia-Pacific Regional Director and closing remarks from Guillermina Garza, Membership Director, bringing together the priorities and insights shared over the three days. While discussions covered a wide range of topics, there was a shared sense of momentum. Members left with new connections, practical ideas and a collective commitment to continue shaping FSC's future together.
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