Since 1995, the Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions has been enhancing research and technology development capabilities in support of conservation and management of forest resources in Asia and the Pacific region. IUFRO established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with APAFRI in November 2002 recognized it as its Asia Pacific Chapter. Currently, APAFRI has 67 members.

APAFRI has been collaborating closely with the IUFRO Special Programme for Developing Countries (IUFRO-SPDC) in strengthening research in the Asia Pacific region. Since March 2004 the Executive Director of APAFRI is acting as IUFRO-SPDC Regional Coordinator and assists in the implementation of training workshops and networking activities. The co-operation between APAFRI and IUFRO includes the following activities:

• Participation of Asian scientists in IUFRO research groups, working parties and task forces (e.g. several Asian scientists act as coordinators and deputy coordinators);
• Organisation of training workshops through cooperation between IUFRO-SPDC, APAFRI Secretariat and the Forestry Research Support Programme for Asia and the Pacific (FORSPA);
• Collaboration in the newly established GFIS Asia Initiative together with CIFOR.