Kenya, Japan Strengthen Forestry Partnership Through SFS-CORECC Project Forestry Principal Secretary was today represented by the Secretary, Forest Development, Mr. George Tarus, at the two-day seminar on the Project for Strengthening Forestry Sector Development and Community Resilience to Climate Change through Sustainable Forest Management and Landscape Restoration (SFS-CORECC), held at a hotel in Nairobi. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), had played a significant role in strengthening Kenya’s forestry sector through more than 40 years of bilateral cooperation in forestry development. The partnership has supported sustainable forest management, improved tree breeding, commercial forestry and forest monitoring, contributing to landscape restoration and climate resilience. The SFS-CORECC Project has supported the development of policies and strategies for sustainable forest management and extension services, improved tree breeding and genetic development, including the development of second-generation Melia volkensii suitable for dryland areas, commercial forestry, forest monitoring and information systems, as well as regional cooperation across East Africa. Mr. Tarus reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to growing #15BillionTrees and achieving 30 per cent tree cover by 2032. He emphasised that forests play a critical role in protecting water catchments, conserving biodiversity, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and supporting community livelihoods. He also highlighted the importance of commercial forestry in attracting investment, creating economic opportunities and promoting sustainable forest management. On his part, Ambassador of Japan to Kenya, His Excellency Hiroshi Matsuura, also addressed the seminar, emphasising the need to balance commercial forestry with the conservation of natural forests. He noted that both are important to sustainable development and that legal and sustainable commercial timber harvesting should not be viewed negatively. Also in attendance was Mr. Osamu Shimada, Director-General of the Forest Tree Breeding Center at the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute; Ms. Akiko Tabata, Senior Director of the Global Environment Department at JICA; Dr. James Ndufa, Director of the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), as well as representatives from seven counties and other stakeholders in the forestry sector.