Asean meet to discuss climate change, biodiversity issues
CLIMATE change and other key issues on biodiversity will take center stage in the upcoming Asean Conference on Biodiversity (ACB 2009) to be hosted by the Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the National Parks Board (NParks) of Singapore from October 21 to 23 at the Republic Polytechnic in Singapore.
Dubbed “Biodiversity in Focus: 2010 and Beyond,” ACB 2009 will be held back-to-back with the Asean Ministerial Meeting on the Environment.
“Preparations are ongoing for this year’s largest gathering of major biodiversity stakeholders and players in Southeast Asia. We are receiving a lot of inquiries from interested parties. Already, a good number of individuals and organizations have registered their participation,” Rodrigo Fuentes, executive director of the European Union-funded ACB, said.
Key partners for the conference include the Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia, the United Nations University, the World Agroforestry Centre, the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research, Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Asia-Europe Foundation, East and Southeast Asia Biodiversity Inventory Initiative, and the Japan Ministry of Environment.
Over 200 experts, policy and decision-makers are expected to participate in ACB2009, which will provide a forum for exchanging perspectives in addressing biodiversity threats and issues in the region. Participants will map out the steps forward in advancing the Asean biodiversity agenda within the context of meeting the 2010 Biodiversity Target and beyond.
Asean member-states’ assessment of their progress in achieving the 2010 target of significantly reducing biodiversity loss will be featured in plenary and poster presentations.
The event will also have three parallel sessions focusing on Biodiversity and Climate Change; Access to Genetic Resources and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising Out of their Utilization; and Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity—the Asean Region’s Contribution.
“The session on climate change will explore how it affects biodiversity, as well as potential mitigation and adaptation options. Among topics to be discussed are reducing emissions from deforestation and land degradation, climate change and marine ecosystems, and the link between climate change and coral reefs, tropical forest ecosystems, and migratory birds,” Fuentes said.
Climate change is fast becoming a present reality. Among the projected impacts of climate change is the loss of thousands of species. Globally, about 20 percent to 30 percent of species will be at increasingly high risk of extinction possibly by 2100 as global mean temperatures exceed 2 degrees Celsius to 3 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.
“We’re training special focus on climate change as it will exacerbate the many stressors that are already endangering biodiversity in the region. These stressors will be magnified over time. Much uncertainty remains over the magnitude of climate change in Southeast Asian countries, and how this will affect biodiversity resources,” Fuentes said.
The session on ABS will enable participants to fully understand how to add value to the available genetic resources; understand negotiation issues on ABS terms with users and providers of the resources; and ensure that benefits are gained by the local communities and translate into conservation actions.
The third session on Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity will highlight the importance of incorporating economic principles in efforts to conserve biodiversity and maintain ecosystem functions. It will take into account the real value of natural ecosystems and biodiversity vis-à-vis economic development.
Several side events are also lined up, including the awarding ceremonies of the photo contest “Zooming in on Biodiversity,” launch of the Asean Biodiversity Champions, launch of the enhanced Biodiversity Information Sharing Service, and promotion of the Third Asean Heritage Parks Conference in 2010.
Business Mirror
I really hope that what will be planned will be put into action. We all need to act now in the struggle to preserve the bounty and beauty of nature. In the end, it will still be everyone of us that will be facing the consequences.
By the way, I am so glad that the world leaders nowadays are becoming aware of the environmental issues. I am looking forward to the achievement of their goals.