SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — Members and partners of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) through the ASEAN Social Forestry Network (ASFN) feels the urgency as well to find solutions to the problem of climate change now being felt in Asia.
Policy makers from Brunei, Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand as well as representatives of donor agencies are in Philippines as the country plays host for the 3rd ASEAN Social Forestry Network (ASFN) meeting now being held in Subic Bay Freeport until June 13, 2009.
The delegates discussed on the outputs, outcomes, challenges and opportunities in the implementation of Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) strategy and milestones, updates on different programs and projects supporting CBFM, and discussions on CBFM’s contribution to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
In the ASEAN countries have approximately 283.2 million hectares forests, covering 33.4% of the total countries land area and accounts for 16% of the world tropical forest according to the ASFN fact sheet dated 2006. The tropical forests play a significant role in the lives of forest communities.
The representatives of ASEAN member states delivered the Country Reports on the ASFN, namely on the current ASFN leaders and national focal points, updates on relevant policy and major activities implemented within/by the country related to social forestry since the 2nd ASFN meeting in August 2008, the role of community in reducing illegal logging and its associated trade, the list of country’s training needs concerning social forestry, proposed activities on social forestry for joint bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation with the country and challenges.
Representing Brunei Darussalam were Haji Saiidin Salleh, Director of Forestry Department and Muhd Safwan Abdullah Bibi; In Cambodia, Lao Sethaphal, Deputy Chief of Community Forestry Office; In Indonesia, Billy Hindra, Director of Social Forestry Development; In Lao, Saysamone Phothisat; In Malaysia, Ms. Maimon Md. Yasin, Principal Assistant Secretary of the Forestry Development Division; Myanmar is represented by U Kyaw Htun, Director of Planning and Statistics; the Philippine delegation is led by Ms. Remedios S. Evangelista; Singapore is represented by Mr. Koay Sim Huat, Assistant Director, International Affairs, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority; In Thailand, Pralong Dumrongthai, Director of Community Forestry Management Bureau; and Vietnam is represented by Dr. Pham Duc Tuan, Deputy Director of Forestry Management.
The meeting will update the strategic plan of action of the ASFN from 2007 to 2012 based on the presentations made during the meeting.
Policy makers from Brunei, Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand as well as representatives of donor agencies are in Philippines as the country plays host for the 3rd ASEAN Social Forestry Network (ASFN) meeting now being held in Subic Bay Freeport until June 13, 2009.
The delegates discussed on the outputs, outcomes, challenges and opportunities in the implementation of Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) strategy and milestones, updates on different programs and projects supporting CBFM, and discussions on CBFM’s contribution to climate change adaptation and mitigation.
In the ASEAN countries have approximately 283.2 million hectares forests, covering 33.4% of the total countries land area and accounts for 16% of the world tropical forest according to the ASFN fact sheet dated 2006. The tropical forests play a significant role in the lives of forest communities.
The representatives of ASEAN member states delivered the Country Reports on the ASFN, namely on the current ASFN leaders and national focal points, updates on relevant policy and major activities implemented within/by the country related to social forestry since the 2nd ASFN meeting in August 2008, the role of community in reducing illegal logging and its associated trade, the list of country’s training needs concerning social forestry, proposed activities on social forestry for joint bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation with the country and challenges.
Representing Brunei Darussalam were Haji Saiidin Salleh, Director of Forestry Department and Muhd Safwan Abdullah Bibi; In Cambodia, Lao Sethaphal, Deputy Chief of Community Forestry Office; In Indonesia, Billy Hindra, Director of Social Forestry Development; In Lao, Saysamone Phothisat; In Malaysia, Ms. Maimon Md. Yasin, Principal Assistant Secretary of the Forestry Development Division; Myanmar is represented by U Kyaw Htun, Director of Planning and Statistics; the Philippine delegation is led by Ms. Remedios S. Evangelista; Singapore is represented by Mr. Koay Sim Huat, Assistant Director, International Affairs, Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority; In Thailand, Pralong Dumrongthai, Director of Community Forestry Management Bureau; and Vietnam is represented by Dr. Pham Duc Tuan, Deputy Director of Forestry Management.
The meeting will update the strategic plan of action of the ASFN from 2007 to 2012 based on the presentations made during the meeting.
