Bandar Seri Begawan - In An effort to assit in streaming potential agenda in Brunei's successful biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in accordance with the nation's Chairmanship for the next Asean Summit in 2013, the Republic of Korea, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, have gathered experts to speak at the AseanKorean Biodiversity Cooperation seminar.

The seminar, which is set to be held from tomorrow to Friday, presents an avenue for the expert panellists to exchange views and experience, and facilitate scientific research efforts on diversity among related countries.

Speaking to the local media yesterday was Mr Sung Wook Jo, Counsellor and Deputy Chief of Mission from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Brunei Darussalam.

He highlighted that during the Asean-Korean Commemorative Summit in Jeju 2009, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has proposed that the Kuala Belalong Field Centre be utilised as a venue for environment research. In view of this, Brunei and the Republic of Korea have agreed to undertake a joint project to convene at the Asean-Korea Biodiversity Cooperation Seminar.

He said the seminar will further promote the public's awareness on biodiversity of Asean and Borneo Island in particular. The seminar will carry the theme 'Current and Future Challenges to Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Asean region.'

"The seminar will focus on talks given by experts and policy makers from the Republic of Korea and Brunei as well as other Asean countries," said Mr Sung, before adding that at the end of the seminar, a 'policy-oriented report' based on seminar presentations and discussions will be tabled.

This is to facilitate implementation on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, he said.

The Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Utama Dato Seri Setia Awg Hj Yahya bin Begawan Mudim Dato Paduka Hj Bakar is expected to deliver a keynote speech during the opening ceremony for the seminar tomorrow.

The experts include Dr Jin Han Kim, Director of Research Cooperation Division and Dr Byoung Yoon Lee, the Director of Plant Resources Division, both from the National Institute of Biological Resources. Also expected to deliver their papers are experts from the Korean Environment Institute and the e-Government Innovation Centre (eG.Inc) at UBD, as well as experts from the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

The proposed venue for the seminar will be at The Core, UBD and the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre, Temburong District.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin