ASEAN member States share experience in forest protection
VGP – The 15th ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry (ASOF) Meeting took place in Hanoi on Thursday.
Participants to the event also included representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN partners like the Republic of Korean and international organizations.
The delegates focused their discussions on the progress of the implementation of the 2011-2015 Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Cooperation in Forestry, forest fires prevention and sustainable forest management, regional programs and projects on forestry cooperation, and ASEAN-the Republic of Korea forestry cooperation.
The forestry sector has substantially contributed to economic growth, job creation, poverty reduction across ASEAN, noted Vietnam’s Minster of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat.
The sector, however, is facing numerous challenges like the shrinkage in forest area and quality, illegal timber exploitation and wildlife trading, and limited role taken by local residents.
Minister Phat called on ASEAN member States to enhance information sharing and foster cooperation at all levels to deal with the above challenges.
By Hai Minh
