Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit Opens on Wednesday

Bandar Seri Begawan, 29 Syawwal 1437/03 August 2016  (MINA)  – Regional environment ministers and green advocates will meet in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei Darussalam, on Wednesday to discuss climate change and forest conservation as Brunei hosts the second Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit.

The meeting will take place at the International Convention Centre from August 3 to 5, featuring keynote speakers such as Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Australia’s Environment and Energy Minister Josh Frydenburg, and Mark Burrows, vice-chairman of Investment Banking, Asia-Pacific at Credit Suisse.

The Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism said the summit will provide a platform to address concerns on climate change and discuss the role of the private sector in conservation of forests and landscapes.

Themes for the upcoming conference include Biodiversity Integration; Towards a Green Economy; Reducing Biodiversity Loss from Illegal Logging; and Sustainable Climate Finance.

Timor-Leste’s Minister of Commerce, Industry and Environment Constâncio Pinto, one of the plenary speakers at the event, said the summit will also be a venue to share best practices and forge cooperation in conservation efforts.

“Timor-Leste has very much affected by drought and by the effects of weather phenomena like El Nino and La Nina… So now we can see the real impact of the climate change,” he told reporters after arriving in Brunei yesterday.

“It is a very important undertaking since the environment is an international issue. By doing this Brunei is showing its commitment to conservation and to reduction of greenhouse gases as stated in the Paris Agreement.”

The Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016 is the second of its kind, following the first in Sydney two years ago, which resulted in the formation of the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Partnership.

The Brunei government is hosting the summit with the support of the Australian government and Center for International Forestry Research.

Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Hj Ali Hj Apong said the conference represents a new way to engage with international experts, donors and financial institutions to protect the rainforests.   (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)