PH to host Asean biodiversity meet

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines will host next month the 4th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Heritage Parks (AHP) Conference, a regional dialogue addressing biodiversity issues and the sustainable management of protected areas.

The four-day meet will be held in Tagaytay City on Oct. 1-4 spearheaded by the Asean Center for Biodiversity (ACB) and hosted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Secretary Ramon Paje announced Saturday.

Some 300 delegates from the Asean countries, biodiversity experts, park managers, policy makers, scientists, and representatives of nongovernment organizations, indigenous and local communities, are expected to attend.

In a news release, ACB Executive Director Roberto V. Oliva said the conference would update participants on recent knowledge and tools in addressing biodiversity loss, ecosystems degradation and the preservation of Asean nations’ natural heritage.

Side events will include a visit to the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, the newest AHP.

To date, there are 33 AHPs in Southeast Asia, five of them in the Philippines: Mt. Apo Natural Park, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park and Mt. Malindang Range Natural Park, all in Mindanao; Mt. Iglit-Baco in Mindoro and the Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve. DJ Yap