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epresentatives from Asian and Pacific countries are gathering in Bandar Seri Begawan from Aug. 3 to 5 to find better practical solutions to balance development and environmental sustainability during the second Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit.

Host Brunei Darussalam’s Primary Resources and Tourism Minister Dato Setia Awang Haji Ali bin Apong said that it was a necessary to identify practical actions to reduce forest loss while at the same time balancing development.

Awang suggested to re-focus economic activities that would complement any rainforest conservation initiatives.

“Our rainforests are rich and have the capability to provide a wide array of forestry goods and services that would cater to economic diversification. With the right partnership, technology and renewable forest resources, we can never go wrong,” Awang said.

During the first Asia Pacific Rainforest Summit in 2014 in Sydney, Australia, participating countries discussed the practical and technical aspects of monitoring forests, combating illegal logging, protecting biodiversity and eliminating deforestation.

However, in this year’s summit, the participants would focus on sustainability financing, policy frameworks and green economies.

Nur Masripatin, director general for climate change at the Indonesian Environment and Forestry Ministry said that it was very important to find a balance among developmental, environmental and social activities.

“By balancing the three elements, we can monitor if any element is stronger and take action as soon as possible,” Nur told The Jakarta Post during the sidelines of the event.

She said Indonesia, which has the biggest rainforest area in the Asia-Pacific, would join an effort to create rainforest sustainability in the region.

“We also agree that developed countries and developing countries have to maintain rainforest sustainability. However, the power to do the effort is different, so it is important for the developed countries to help the developing countries,” Nur said.

The three-day Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit also aims to address several other important issues related to rainforests, such as exploring opportunities for environmentally sensitive economic diversification and increasing public awareness within religions on the values of forest.

The Bruneian government is hosting the summit with the support of the Australian government and the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).

There are to be some 300 participants from 11 countries, including Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, Vanuatu and Timor Leste. Participants are not only representing governments, but also NGOs and businesses.

The first rainforest summit resulted in the formation of the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Partnership.

Based on the 2015 global forest resources assessment (FRA), forested areas in the Asia-Pacific region have increased by 5 million hectares since 2010 and 20 million ha since 2000.

With a total area of 723 million hectares, the Asia-Pacific forests represent 18 percent of total forests worldwide.