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Conservationists renew their commitment at the RCF

The 4th Asia Regional Conservation Forum (RCF), arguably the region's biggest and most important conservation event, came to a hugely successful close, on Thursday, with renewed energy and commitment to integrate conservation imperatives to the heart of decision making.

Delivering his concluding remarks, Tirtha Raj Sharma, Secretary, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, put biodiversity conservation into the larger context of the development agenda and noted the importance of events such as the RCF in promoting and contributing to sustainable livelihoods. The secretary noted that he looked forward to the RCF results being integrated into mainstream conservation programmes across the region and added that the issues discussed at the forum will be taken to the World Conservation Congress scheduled to be held in Barcelona, Spain , in October 2008.

Julia Marton-Lèfevre, Director General of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) thanked all the institutions and individuals who contributed to the success of the RCF and said that the forum has demonstrated an unprecedented level of private sector participation. "We should now move towards collaboration with entrepreneurs and business: this shows that biodiversity and sustainability is as important to business as it is to us."

"The issues presented during the three days' deliberations represent a road map - this is the first step on a very long road," she observed, urging IUCN, members and partners to be more engaged in building synergies that support sustainable development in Asia.

On the occasion, IUCN Director General and the secretary jointly presented awards and appreciation letters to distinguished individuals who have contributed to the success of the forum.

"This premier conservation event attracted more than 400 IUCN members, experts, and representatives from IUCN's membership, commissions, secretariat and council in Asia from as many as 32 Asian countries. The main agenda of the forum was to generate meaningful dialogue on critical conservation and development issues in the region as well as their possible solutions. Special emphasis was also placed on the impact of emerging socio-economic trends in the region during the 21st century," states a press release. nepalnews.com Sep 14 07