The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) recently joined this year’s Asia-Pacific Forestry Week that was held recently at the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.
Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD) represented DOST-PCAARRD in the event headed by Dr. Feliciano G. Calora, Jr.
The week-long event, which had the theme, Growing Our Future, was participated by around 1,100 delegates representing national and international organizations contributing to improving the productivity of forests and creating sustainable forestry in the region.
The event was held shortly after the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the United Nations General Assembly held last year and the adoption of the Paris Agreement by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
“With these agreements by the international community, we have committed ourselves to effect changes in conducting business through the adoption of a comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centered set of universal and transformative goals and targets towards sustainable development,” said Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje in his keynote message.
Meanwhile, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Assistant Director-General Dr. René Castro-Salazar said that the agreement made during the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (CoP21) in Paris has given new hope to meet climate change challenges, with forestry in the frontline.
The event held simultaneous plenary sessions with topics on future trade and markets; climate change; serving society, forestry, and people; new governance; and green investment.
Exhibits showcased various forestry-related products, programs, and activities in the region. Film screenings about forest degradation, conservation, and regeneration as well as community forestry use, were shown to the participants to increase awareness about these topics.