Brunei to host 2nd Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit

Brunei is set to host the Second Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit in August with the support of the Australian government, local daily the Brunei Times reported Tuesday.

Speaking from the Global Landscapes Forum in Paris recently, 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," Greg Hunt said.

In a joint statement issued with Brunei's Primary Resources and Tourism Minister Haji Ali, 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.

The joint statement wrote the Australian government has been leading efforts in the region to conserve, halt and reverse rainforest loss following the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit held in Sydney in November 2014.

(APD)