Source : Borneo Bulletin, Brunei, 06 Apr '05
By : Huraizah Ahnad
   

This was said by Director of Forestry, Brunei, Hj Saidin Salleh, during a press conference for the `Heart of Borneo-Three Countries, One Conservation Vision' workshop, held at Orchid Garden Hotel yesterday.

The three countries put forward suggestions and recommendations, including vision statements in hopes of bringing issues discussed to a higher level, such as the Senior Asean Officials on Forestry Meeting, to implement them at the next stage, he added.

Brunei, with the full support of the government, will continue to be committed towards conserving its forestry policies and practices for the well being of the environment, Hj Saidin Salleh said.

Mr Ngurah Swajaya, Acting Director of United Nations, Economic, Development and Environmental Protection, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indonesia, praised the initiatives by the Brunei government and other local agencies that contributed towards the success of the workshop.

The workshop allowed the three countries to exchange views and points and evaluate the outcome for the first steps of implementation.

According to Mr Robert Ong, Head of Natural Forest Division (Forest Research Centre, Sandakan) Sabah, Malaysia, discussions on existing initiatives and support on initiatives towards conservation of Borneo Island covering Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia will continue to be discussed at the following meeting in Cambodia later this year.

The idea for the workshop came from WWF Malaysia in November last year, and aimed to share common understanding and appreciation on the importance of conservation and management of the tropical rainforest of Borneo for a better environment. Brunei was chosen as the host based on its exemplary forestry polices and practices.