A six-day training workshop aiming at providing a common background on forest genetic resources to graduate students and young scientists was held in Kuala Lumpur, 11-16 June 2007. The workshop, besides other topics, also addressed the urgent needs and challenges in managing forest ecosystems, especially in the Asia Pacific region. This workshop under the auspices of APFORGEN was jointly organized by Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Asia Pacific Association of Forestry Research Institutions (APAFRI) and Bioversity International was funded mainly by International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO). Most of the lectures were given by eminent scientists based in FRIM.

A total of 18 young scientists from 12 countries: Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Thailand and Vanuatu participated in this intensive training workshop. The topics covered included forest biodiversity, genetic diversity, spatial pattern of genetic diversity and its sampling, in situ and ex situ conservation, as well as FGR case studies. Practical hands-on work was carried out by the participants on DNA extraction and genetic diversity analysis using molecular techniques (polymerase chain reaction and fragment analysis). A field visit was organized to the Kepong Botanic Gardens to view ex situ efforts in plant conservation.