Biodiversity Conservation in the Asia-Pacific Region
- Towards new partnerships after the Johannesburg Summit

The objective of the event was to introduce not only the New National Biodiversity Strategy but also relevant existing initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region. Participants had exchanged their views and sought new partnerships after the Johannesburg Summit in order to promote conservation activities in the region. The keynote speakers were from the Japan's Ministry of the Environment, the Secretariat of International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), and the Birdlife International. The event started at 3:00 pm on Tuesday 27th August.

First, a representative from the Government of Japan made a presentation on the New National Biodiversity Strategy of Japan that was adopted in March 2002. In that strategy, establishment of ecological networks in the Asia-Pacific region was proposed in cooperation with the other partners. Although the Government of Japan has been promoting such cooperative activities for the biodiversity conservation in the region, it is expected that partnerships will be strengthened after the Johannesburg Summit.

Then the other speakers made presentations on ICRI, CEPF and the Important Birds Area (IBA) progamme respectively. In their presentation, networking of important ecosystems such as hotspots, wetlands, coral reefs and birds habitat was emphasized. It is also pointed out that partnerships among governments, local authorities, and civil societies including NGOs and private sectors should be strengthened.

In addition to several keynote speeches, a small panel discussion was held. Representatives from the Australian and Indonesian Governments introduced their own initiatives for biodiversity conservation in the region and all of the initiatives presented were endorsed and their promotion was encouraged by participants.

Finally, the coordinator of the event, Professor Mr. Osamu ABE, concluded the discussion, by stressing that new and additional partnerships for biodiversity conservation in the Asia-Pacific region were needed and more active initiatives by each government and NGO were expected to be promoted. The event ended at 5:00 pm.