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By APD writer Melo M. Acuña
The Sixth ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference (AHP6) began in Pakse, Lao People’s Democratic Republic earlier today with about 300 officials, protected area managers, experts, stakeholders and partners in stewardship from ASEAN member states and the international community.
In a statement datelined Pakse, Lao PDR, the organizers said the theme “Sustainability and Innovation for Parks and People – Celebrating 35 years of ASEAN Heritage Parks,” the event will focus on experiences and knowledge of protected area managers and international experts in an attempt to improve the ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) network and further strengthen camaraderie among AHP stakeholders, dialogue and development partners under the AHP Programme, one of the flagship initiatives of ASEAN.
The event’s organized by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and the Government of Lao PDR through its Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and supported by the European Union, the German Development Cooperation through the KfW, German development agency GIZ, SwedBio, Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Japan Biodiversity Fund.
The four-day conference also coincides with the 35th Anniversary of the AHP Programme from today to the 24th of October.
The dialogue between the European Union and ASEAN which highlights the EU’s “Larger that Tigers” report, the EU’s inputs for a strategic approach to biodiversity conservation in Asia.
“This ASEAN-EU dialogue demonstrates our continued partnership within the framework of ASEAN cooperation on environment, with governments, non-government organizations, experts, private sector, women and you, indigenous and local communities and other key stakeholders,” ACBN Executive Director Theresa Mundita Lim said in her message.
Meanwhile, Enrico Strampelli, head of cooperation for the EU Delegation in the Philippines said “a global vision and a political will at the highest level” to stop biodiversity loss.
“I have no doubt that the ASEAN-EU partnership can reinforce that vision towards a common objective and interest. The EU takes a particular price in having a constructive dialogue with ASEAN on biodiversity issues as this is one of the highest priorities on its development cooperation with South East Asia,” Strampelli said.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
