For FSC APAC, 2025 was a year of contrasts. While we faced evolving policies, market slowdowns, and the complexities of global trade, these tests of resilience also revealed our collective strength as a region and inspired powerful moments of collaboration and innovation. Amid these shifts, we were challenged by growing awareness of the climate crisis, and we recognize the urgent need for decisive action to keep pace with it. At this juncture, our mission – to drive responsible forestry and credible sourcing practices – is more relevant than ever.
In 2025, we reached an important milestone with the approval of the revised Asia-Pacific Regional Forest Stewardship Standard (AP RFSS), extending its scope to include natural forests under 20 hectares. Building on the success of AP RFSS, smallholders in our region can now certify Non-Timber Forest Products and ecosystem services from these natural forest areas, unlocking new forest-positive opportunities.
Building on previous growth, FSC APAC continued leading the growth in Chain of Custody (CoC) certification coverage in 2025, representing 57% of all FSC CoC worldwide. With this leadership comes responsibility: the region continues to serve as a key connector across the supply chain, linking manufacturers, processors, traders, buyers, and sourcing offices to responsibly managed forests, and as a trusted partner for stakeholders navigating new sustainability regulations, particularly the EUDR. To support this, we launched APAC in Action: The EUDR Readiness Journey across the region to help actors along the supply chains understand how FSC Solutions can support compliance requirements.
Government support and regional engagement gained traction this year. Our FSC Remedy Forum in Jakarta united a diverse range of stakeholders for dialogue on forest restoration and community-centered remedy, underscoring how governments, industry, and civil society can work together to protect forests and community livelihoods. To nurture that spirit of cooperation, we curated commodity-focused dialogue platforms through our APAC Change Agent Series, connecting value chain actors across the region. In Vietnam, the Natural Rubber Roundtable brought together global brands and local suppliers to highlight practical smallholder inclusion and showcase FSC Solutions on transparency and EUDR compliance, emphasizing the importance of shared responsibility in driving sustainable growth. In Indonesia, the Asia-Pacific Business Encounter engaged key industry leaders and policymakers to build demand and supply linkages and accelerate the revitalization of ethical trade in tropical timber.
We also celebrated a major milestone in our regional expansion with the establishment of FSC's market presence in Chinese Taipei. The launch event highlighted Chinese Taipei's 100% FSC certification of all public forests, reflecting its strong commitment to responsible forestry and innovation.
In Asia-Pacific, our promotional licence holders have helped make the FSC label a trusted signal for consumers. A recent FSC x Ipsos global study found that 77% of consumers now have moderate-to-high confidence in FSC and 80% are more likely to trust brands that use the FSC label – a trust advantage we now need to convert into stronger on-the-ground impact through even closer collaboration with you.
On the global stage, APAC made a strong mark at the 10th FSC General Assembly in Panama, where more than 700 members and stakeholders from around the world gathered to discuss the future of responsible forestry. Representatives from APAC actively participated in decision-making across environmental, social and economic chambers, reinforcing our commitment to collaboration and integrity in forest stewardship now and in the years ahead.
We now look ahead with renewed focus and determination to turn vision into action.
APAC 2026 Outlook
In 2026, we will leverage our extensive Chain of Custody networks to drive Forest Management growth, focusing efforts in Indonesia, China, Vietnam, and India. Our goal is to expand responsibly managed forests while delivering biodiversity and climate co-benefits through FSC’s Ecosystem Services framework. In Northeast China, we are working with key forest bureaus to strengthen forest quality after the logging ban, aiming to bring one million hectares under Forest Management certification by the end of the year and, in doing so, support restoration, biodiversity, and well-being of local communities.
In parallel, we will intensify efforts to strengthen social and system integrity through Remedy Framework initiatives, building on the momentum in Indonesia and deepening this work in China and Japan, where the stakes are high. We will also continue the rollout of FSC Trace – our blockchain-based traceability system designed to enhance transparency and accountability across global supply chains, supporting EUDR compliance in the short term and system integrity in the long term. As APAC remains a key sourcing and manufacturing hub for the EU market, we will strengthen our support for key accounts and specific value chains onboarding FSC Trace. In addition, we plan to launch an Info Hub to help APAC markets navigate their EUDR compliance journey more effectively.
Building on the reputation of the APAC Change Agent Series, we will advance our value chain programmes to bring responsible demand committments to Asian supply chains and safeguard the market dynamics for natural rubber, tropical timber, bamboo, and rattan. At the same time, our new Key Account Programme will drive partnership-led growth, fostering collaborations to amplify positive impact. We are also excited to expand our reach as we explore the groundwork for Bhutan, Brunei and Papua New Guinea.
Beyond progress and ambition, it is always the people who define our journey. I am grateful to every member, certificate and licence holder, partner, and colleague who has upheld our shared purpose, especially when the path has not been easy.
Let us now carry that spirit forward. The year ahead will be one of focus and follow-through as we prioritize strengthening system integrity, scaling sustainability, and ensuring markets serve the needs of both people and the planet. Together, we have the opportunity to turn ambition into impact. May 2026 deepen our collaboration and collective commitment to protect our forests, and sustain their value for future generations.