On June 26, 2026, the Seminar on Forestry and Sustainable Development of the ASEAN Wood & Furniture Industry was held at the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences (Hanoi), bringing together leaders from Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, ASEAN wood and furniture associations, research institutions, industry experts, and the business community.
The seminar was organized as part of the AFIC Leadership Meeting 2026, marking the first time Vietnam has assumed the AFIC Chairmanship for the 2026–2028 term. As Chairman of AFIC, Chairman of VIFOREST, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of AA Corporation, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Khanh chaired the conference's key activities, reaffirming Vietnam's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and fostering a transparent, responsible, and sustainable wood and furniture supply chain across ASEAN.
As global markets continue to impose increasingly stringent requirements on timber legality, traceability, carbon reduction, and sustainable development, the seminar provided a strategic platform for ASEAN countries to exchange experiences, discuss emerging trends, and explore solutions to enhance the competitiveness of the regional wood and furniture industry. During the event, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri of Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Environment outlined four strategic priorities for the new AFIC and HAWA term:
Establishing a unified ASEAN voice on legal and responsible timber sourcing;
Promoting sustainable forest management and forest certification;
Advancing traceability systems, supply chain data, and circular economy practices;
Strengthening AFIC as a practical platform for regional cooperation in sustainable forestry and furniture.
Speaking during the panel discussion, Mr. Nguyen Quoc Khanh emphasized that while ASEAN possesses complementary strengths in raw materials, design capabilities, and manufacturing capacity, greater regional supply chain integration remains essential.
"No single country possesses every competitive advantage. However, ASEAN collectively has all the complementary links—from design and raw materials to manufacturing capabilities. Leveraging these unique strengths through closer collaboration is the path toward establishing ASEAN as one of the world's leading furniture hubs."
He further noted that Vietnam is well positioned to contribute to the ASEAN furniture supply chain through four core strengths: large-scale manufacturing capacity, a strong global export position, a comprehensive industrial ecosystem, and a firm commitment to legal and responsible timber sourcing. These advantages also provide a solid foundation for Vietnamese enterprises, including AA Corporation, to continue supporting the industry's transition toward greater transparency, responsibility, and sustainability.
Another key topic highlighted during the seminar was the significant untapped potential for intra-ASEAN cooperation in the wood and furniture sector. Despite complementary advantages in raw materials, manufacturing capabilities, and market access, intra-regional trade remains well below its potential. In this context, Vietnam has been recognized as one of the region's pioneers in implementing international standards on timber legality, sustainable forest management, and traceability, positioning the country as a key driver of regional supply chain integration.
The seminar concluded with the signing of two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) among AFIC member countries. These agreements aim to establish an ASEAN Wood & Furniture Supply Chain Platform while strengthening collaboration among the region's leading furniture exhibitions. Notably, the newly formed ASEAN exhibition alliance—comprising HawaExpo (Vietnam), EFE (Malaysia), IFFINA+ (Indonesia), and PIFS (Philippines)—will help synchronize exhibition schedules, facilitate greater trade connectivity, and enhance ASEAN's attractiveness to global buyers.
Vietnam's assumption of the AFIC Chairmanship for the 2026–2028 term not only reinforces the country's growing leadership within the regional wood industry but also marks a new chapter in ASEAN cooperation toward building a transparent, sustainable, and globally competitive wood and furniture supply chain. As a pioneering enterprise in the industry, AA Corporation remains committed to supporting this shared vision and contributing to the continued advancement of Vietnam's wood industry on the global stage.
[Photo: Hawa Vietnam]
