The Asia-Pacific Network for Sustainable Forest Management and Rehabilitation (APFNet) was proposed by China and co-sponsored by Australia and the United States at the 15th APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, in Sydney, Australia, in September 2007. The APEC leaders adopted the proposal and included it in the Sydney Declaration on Climate Change, Energy Security and Clean Development to promote and improve sustainable forest management and rehabilitation in the region. In September 2008 APFNet was formally launched, with its Secretariat located in Beijing. As a regional organization, APFNet is open to and welcomes participation from all economies, civil society organizations, the private sector, academic forestry institutions and international organizations active in the Asia Pacific region.