Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute (KoAGI) has been officially designated as the TGBS Korea Hub, serving as a regional hub for TGBS assessments and the implementation of the Standard.

KoAGI and TGBS have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), marking the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

KoAGI is a leading national institution dedicated to conserving and sustainably using forest biological resources while promoting arboretum and garden culture in the Republic of Korea. In close cooperation with the Korea Forest Service, local governments, research institutions, and local communities, KoAGI conducts advanced research and implements field-based initiatives to address climate change, conserve rare and endemic plant species, and support the science-based restoration of degraded forest ecosystems.

KoAGI’s work is grounded in rigorous scientific data and evidence and takes a sustainable approach that supports both ecosystem recovery and the needs of local communities.

Drawing on its extensive field experience in forest ecosystem restoration and native plant conservation, KoAGI will bring strong technical expertise and regional leadership to the global TGBS network.

Through this partnership, the TGBS Korea Hub will conduct field-verified biodiversity assessments, provide pre-assessment mentoring, support regional capacity building, and develop partnerships based on the eight certification criteria of TGBS. These criteria include prioritizing the use of native, threatened, and rare species; protecting existing habitats and conserving biodiversity; managing invasive alien species; and engaging local communities.

As global climate action intensifies and corporate adoption of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) framework expands, demand is growing for objective verification of restoration outcomes and reliable safeguards against greenwashing.

The launch of the TGBS Korea Hub is expected to strengthen the implementation of Korea’s forest restoration policies and provide a trusted international verification framework for public institutions, private companies, and other organizations.

The designation also demonstrates that KoAGI’s core capabilities—including its ecological and restoration expertise and its established native seed banking and supply systems—are essential assets for applying TGBS effectively in the field. It is also expected to further enhance the role and value of arboreta in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

KoAGI President Sang-taek SIM said, “By applying a scientific and objective assessment framework, we will enhance the credibility of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) projects in Korea and internationally and contribute to achieving tangible outcomes in biodiversity conservation and high-integrity ecosystem restoration.”