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Brunei to host second Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit
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Taken from airplane window, this picture shows a section of the Heart of Borneo rainforest conservation area in Kapuas Hulu regency, West Kalimantan. (JP/Severianus Endi)
Brunei is set to host the Second Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit in August with the support of the Australian government.
Speaking from the Global Landscapes Forum in Paris on May 5, Australian Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced the sultanate has agreed to hold the summit, which is slated to take place from August 3 to 5 in Bandar Seri Begawan.
“We are looking forward to working with Brunei as the hosts of the 2016 summit, and to further develop the Asia-Pacific Recovery Plan,” he said.
In a joint statement issued with Primary Resources and Tourism Minister Ali Apong, Hunt added the Asia-Pacific Recovery Plan represents a new way to engage with international experts, donors and financial institutions to protect the rainforests.
He called the sultanate “an ideal location” for the next summit, providing a great opportunity to showcase its work in forest conservation and in the protection of its biodiversity.
“It is also an opportunity for Brunei to give the world a glimpse of their beautiful and well-preserved forests, their biodiversity and their plans for the future in preserving their landscapes not only today but for future generations,” he said.
Themes for the upcoming summit include ‘Biodiversity Integration’,‘Towards a Green Economy’, ‘Reducing Biodiversity Loss from Illegal Logging’, and ‘Sustainable Climate Finance’.
The joint statement states that the Australian government has been leading efforts in the region to conserve, halt and reverse rainforest loss following the successful Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit held in Sydney in November 2014.
“We are excited to be working with Brunei on the recovery plan and look forward to continuing our relationship in the lead up to their hosting of the summit in August 2016,” said Hunt.
