The third Asia-Pacific Forest Sector Outlook Study (FAO, 2019) highlighted two important areas for the forest 
sector in the region:
- First, the conservation of primary forests – i.e. forests largely unaffected by human activities – and the sustainable management of other natural forests are urgently needed to safeguard biodiversity, ecosystem services and the quality and health of the physical environment in the Asia Pacific region.
- Second, the use of innovative technologies – including ICT technologies, processing technologies and new wood-based products – creates huge opportunities and challenges for sustainable forestry and sustainable forest management.