Key forestry experts from governments, the private sector and NGOs gathered today for the opening of the Asia Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam. Regional leaders reinforced the importance of working in partnership between governments, private sector, forest scientists and communities towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. This year’s summit is hosted by the Government of Brunei Darussalam; supported by the Government of Australia, with CIFOR as the science and engagement advisor.

Ministers from across the region are joining conservationists, researchers and business leaders at the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016, to discuss climate change and sustainable forest management, in an era of new climate challenges. The three-day forum will feature more than 70 speakers, including Mark Burrows, the Vice-Chairman of Global Investment Banking at Credit Suisse and Dr Peter Holmgren, the Director General of the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).

More communication and collaboration is needed between scientists and the media to disseminate important environmental issues. This was said during an interview yesterday by Principal Scientist from the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) Dr Pablo Pacheco at the sidelines of the Reporting on Environment and Forests Workshop for Asia Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016 held at the Rimba Horticulture Centre. Dr Pablo, a scientist with more than 25 years of experience related to forest based research said that a link needs to be built between the media, research organisations and scientists so that important and accurate information on the latest environmental issues can be spread to the public.

There is an increasing importance to highlight the role that environmental issues play in public policy and our everyday lives. This was highlighted yesterday by the Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism’s Deputy Permanent Secretary of Tourism Wardi Hj Mohd Ali in his opening remarks during the Reporting on Environment and Forests Workshop for Asia Pacific Rainforest Summit 2016. Thirteen members of the media both local and international are currently participating in the two-day workshop where they will engage with scientists from the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) to find the human story in science, learn to make sense of scientific data and visit a forest community such as the Sumbiling Eco Village in the Temburong District and the Selirong Mangrove to understand the challenges that they face.

Bengkel Kewartawanan sempena Persidangan Hutan Hujan Asia Pasifik (APRS) 2016 diharap akan dapat memperkasa para peserta, khususnya para wartawan, untuk mengukuhkan kepentingan mengenai alam sekitar. Sepanjang bengkel itu, beberapa orang ahli sains dari Pusat Penyelidikan Perhutanan Antarabangsa (CIFOR) akan membimbing para wartawan untuk mencari kisah manusia (human story) dalam bidang sains, memahami data saintifik, serta melawat komuniti hutan untuk melihat cabaran-cabaran yang mereka hadapi.

Bengkel Kewartawanan sempena Sidang Kemuncak Hutan Hujan Asia Pasifik (APRS) 2016 diharap akan dapat memperkasa para peserta bengkel, khususnya para wartawan untuk mengukuhkan kepentingan mengenai alam sekitar. Sepanjang bengkel dua hari itu, beberapa ahli sains dari Pusat Penyelidikan Perhutanan Antarabangsa (CIFOR) akan membimbing para wartawan untuk mencari kisah manusia (human story) dalam bidang sains, memahami data saintifik serta melawat komuniti hutan untuk melihat cabaran-cabaran yang mereka hadapi. Selain itu, ia adalah bagi meningkatkan kesedaran awam serantau terhadap potensi nilai perhutanan untuk kepelbagaian ekonomi persekitaran sensitif.

The Journalist Training Workshop for the Asia Pacific Rainforest Summit (APRS) 2016 kicked off yesterday at the Rimba Horticulture Centre. Throughout the two-day workshop, scientists from the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) will engage with journalists to find the human story in science, make sense of scientific data, as well as visit a forest community to see up front the challenges that they face. The opening of the workshop also saw welcoming remarks delivered by Selina Cho, Deputy High Commissioner of Australia to Brunei Darussalam and Pablo Pacheco from CIFOR.

Mangrove sebagai hutan bakau sering dianaktirikan dalam pengelolaan hutan di Indonesia. Peringatan International Mangrove Day 26 Juli 2016 adalah momentum tepat menyuarakan pentingnya pelestarian dan perbaikan pengelolaan ekosistem mangrove. Data CIFOR menunjukkan deforestasi mangrove di Indonesia mengakibatkan hilangnya 190 juta metrik ton setar CO² tiap tahun (eqanually). Angka ini menyumbang 20 persen emisi penggunaan lahan di Indonesia dengan estimasi emisi sebesar 700 juta metrik ton CO².