VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

As many as 93 forestry and environment experts from various countries will attend the 3rd Asia Pacific Rainforest Summit (APRS) which will be held in Yogyakarta on April 23--23 to discuss progress in the implementation of Paris Agreement.

"Ninety three forestry and environment experts, including 41 from other countries will lead panel discussions and act as panelists. Nearly 950 participants from 39 countries in five continents have registered (with the organizing committee)," Secretary General of the Indonesian Forestry and Environment Ministry Bambang Hendroyono said in a press conference in Jakarta on Friday (April 20).

The APRS III themed Protecting Forest and Community, Supporting Economic Growth is different from the first meeting held in Sydney and the second meeting held in Brunei Darusssalam. The first and second APRS was very much coordinated by partners, while the third APRS is government driven, he said. 

Besides high level meetings attended by ministers and ambassadors, there will be eight sessions of parallel discussions. The parallel discussions will discuss restoration and sustainable management of peat land; financing, investment and trade in forestry sector; mangrove and blue carbon; social forestry policy; ecotourism and biodiversity conservation, production forest; and implementation of peat land restoration.

Director General of River Basin Area and Protected Forest Control I.B. Putera Parthama said the summit is important because it will serve as a forum for Asia and Pacific countries to harmonize cooperation steps and exchange experience in the management of forests. (antara)