Sep 1, 2012

ASEAN - ASEAN, Korea ministers discuss forestry initiatives

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THE Special ASEAN and Special ASEAN-ROK Ministerial Meetings on Forestry for the implementation of initiatives, cooperation and partnership towards sustainable forest management were held in Seoul yesterday.

The Bruneian delegation was led by Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Hj Yahya Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar.

The ministers were updated on the outlook of the forestry sector in Southeast Asia based on recent Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) studies; the contribution of the forestry to ASEAN community building to be realised by 2015 as well as achievements under cooperation in forestry.

Congratulating the Korean government for successfully hosting the ministerial meeting , the Bruneian minister, according to the press statement, said "deforestation and forest degradation is currently a global concern" as it caused problems associated with biodiversity loss, climate change and other environmental issues.

The press release said that the agreement between ASEAN-ROK was seen as an important initiative which could further strengthen the cooperation and efforts particularly in the rehabilitation of degraded forest land, prevention of deforestation and forest degradation. Therefore the establishment of Asian Forest Cooperation Organisation (AFoCO) is relevant and timely. The minister reiterated that "Brunei Darussalam is committed to ensure that the country's forest resources are managed in a sustainable manner within the context of Sustainable Forest Management practice".

The Brunei government's National Forest Conservation policy has put strong emphasis on the need to conserve and protect the country's green asset in order to ensure that the forest resources will continue to play its role in providing benefit to society, economy and the environment.

According to the press release, Brunei has "successfully rehabilitated and re-greened about 400ha of degraded forest land which was damaged due to forest fires; enriched about 11,000 hectares of logged-over production forest, and established about 5,000ha of forest plantation".

The Bruneian minister also informed the meeting that the Government of Brunei Darussalam will continue to ensure that the country's forest remains intact for the benefit of current and future generations and become a safe haven for wild flora and fauna.

YB Pehin Hj Yahya said the establishment of AFoCO would provide an opportunity for Brunei, as well as other ASEAN member states, to share experiences and technologies concerning preservation of forests as well as in a broader context addressing the emerging forestry and climate change issues.

He expressed the full support of Brunei Darussalam towards the establishment of AFoCO as it will enhance greatly the profile of the forestry sector in the region. He also congratulated and commended the Government of the Republic of Korea for initiating the Green Growth Initiative as well as for their commitment to sharing their experiences in the rehabilitation of forests, prevention of desertification and mitigation of the climate change.

The Special ASEAN and ASEAN-ROK Meeting were officially opened by Dr Don Koo Lee, Minister of Korea Forest Service in the presence of the guest of honour, Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-Sik; ASEAN ministers and designates; and senior officials from ASEAN Member States and ROK.

The Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Forestry was chaired by Dr Ty Phommasack, Vice Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Lao PDR.

The Bruneian minister had a bilateral meeting with the Korea Forest Service minister to discuss forestry issues, potential bilateral forestry collaboration, and to share knowledge and experience on sustainable forestry management and conservation especially in the area of plantation forest development, forest rehabilitation and reforestation activities. Other Brunei officials in the delegation included Hjh Hasnah Ibrahim, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Primary Resources Development Division); Hj Saidin Salleh, Director of Forestry; and other senior officials from the ministry and Forestry Department.

The Ministers also adopted the Special ASEAN-ROK Ministerial Statement, a pledge of commitment to further enhance ASEAN-ROK forest cooperation; promote capacity building and livelihood of forest-dependent communities in the context of Sustainable Forestry Management.

WARDI BUNTAR


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