Brunei to join Ramsar Convention
BRUNEI
is set to become of member of Ramsar Convention once the Ministry of Industry
and Primary Resources receives His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of
Brunei Darussalam's consent.
In an
interview at the closing ceremony of the International Conference on Wetland
Forests at Rizqun Hotel, Gadong yesterday, Hj Saidin Salleh said that Brunei's
rich and biodiversified wetlands may be putting the nation on the world map
once the Sultanate joins the treaty."Obviously we are waiting for the
consent of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam in
order for the Ramsar membership to pull through," said Hj Saidin.
He said
that the membership deal would see Selirong Forest Reserve at Brunei Bay to be
declared a Ramsar site, among others.
"The
date of February 2 will also bear new significance for Brunei because we will
celebrate World Wetlands Day together with other Ramsar nations. Meanwhile, we
will be required to compile reports and add to the international
database," he told the Brunei Times
According
to Ramsar's website, the convention is also called "The Convention on
Wetlands of International Importance".
Adopted
in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971, it is an intergovernmental treaty that
"gives framework for national action and international collaboration for
conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources"
Hj
Saidin said that through Ramsar Brunei would also be able to access and
exchange various information with other international parties to deepen
understanding of its very own wetlands.
"There
will be things such as capacity building and running projects, providence of
expertise through Ramsar's network and avenues for more research and
development," he said adding that it will also add to the security of the
nation's biodiversity.
The
need for Brunei to join the international community was encapsulated in the
director's speech during the closing ceremony. "We foresee that there is a
need for us to join the global community in managing our wetland forests and
its resources because it requires a collaborative effort. We cannot work alone.
We need support and cooperation from others, especially from wetlands
experts," he said.
In his
remarks the closing ceremony of the conference, Hj Saidin said that the
conference gave everyone an opportunity to gain new knowledge.
"We
are able to form new acquaintances and provide opportunities to further enhance
networking, share experiences and information on research findings as well as
strengthen collaboration in research and development particularly in the
management and conservation of wetland forests," he said.
"We
have put together all of our thoughts in the form of summary recommendations
which will become useful for Brunei and participants likewise. Hopefully, it
will help us to develop strategies, initiatives and programs towards
sustainable wetlands forest use."
The
summary recommendations contained suggestions from the various participants on
topics and challenges such as funding, legal framework, economic valuation and
other pressing issues.
The
two-day conference saw prominent experts in their various disciplines presented
their cases, all towards the common goal in ensuring preservation of wetlands
on a global scale.
LEO
KASIM
The
Brunei Times
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