Opening Remarks at the 2nd Meeting for the Promotion of Asia Forest Partnership (AFP)
by Mr. Yoshiki Mine
Ambassador for Global Environment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
9-10 July 2003
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Excellency Mr. Wahjudi Wardojo, Secretary General, Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia,
Distinguished participants and guests,
It is my great pleasure to attend the 2nd Meeting for the Promotion of Asia Forest Partnership (AFP). On behalf of the government of Japan, I would like to express our gratitude for the Government of Indonesia, Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), for their tremendous contributions to the preparation and organization of this meeting.
Over the past year, a significant progress has been achieved. The leaders of the G8 countries began to be involved in the combat for better preservation of forests. The action program announced by G8 leaders had epoch making importance. This year, at Evian, G8 leaders focused their attention on the program of illegal logging, and in the Chair's Summary, the need to strengthen international efforts was emphasized. This was another important step made by G8 countries.
Indonesia and Japan came to an agreement on the illegal logging and trade of illegal timbers. Last month, president Megawati visited Japan and both countries could sign the document for agreement while Dr. Megawati was in Japan. The signing ceremony was held in the prime ministers office and Dr. Megawati and Mr. Koizumi were present to witness this important development.
Elsewhere, more expert level efforts were made in ITTO. At its 34th session held in Panama this May, a decision was adopted to support the regional workshop and to support the development of a network for sharing information among AFP participants including civil society and private-sector stakeholders. The budget allocated to this project is US$166,500.
In addition to our contributions in these projects I have just noted, Japan opened an AFP corner in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website. Japan also strengthened collaboration with CIFOR to make research on the present situation and policy options to control illegal logging.
Forests are, however, in a vulnerable situation still now. The problems which require international and national efforts, that is, illegal logging, forest fire, deforestation, are not yet overcome. In this meeting, we must identify priority activities in AFP and try to further international and regional collaborations and to improve sustainable forest management in Asia.
We have two days to discuss these issues. Two days in relation to the amount of tasks is very short. I hope that we can proceed as efficiently as possible.
Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Distinguished participants,
The international and regional co-operations are making progress. First, more and more attention is being paid to the sustainable forest managements. Second, participants in this exercise are growing in number. Not just governments, but also international organizations, NGOs, Corporations are also getting involved and making in valuable contributions. Such multifold efforts are, I'm sure, the indispensable conditions for the success of our exercise. The progress is not still very rapid, but with our sincere efforts, we can certainly make solid progress.
Thank you very much for your attention.
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