6 August 2016: The 2016 Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit focused on actions to reduce forest loss, while taking into account the development aspirations of the region’s rainforest countries. The Summit concluded with support from regional leaders to work towards the goal of ending natural rainforest loss by 2030, and resulted in the formation of the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Partnership.

The summit, which met in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, from 3-5 August 2016, brought together representatives from governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and research organizations to share experiences and knowledge, as well as highlight progress made in slowing, halting and reversing deforestation in the region. Its themes included: innovative forest financing; the role of the private sector and new opportunities for public-private-people partnerships; measurement, reporting and verification for sustainable landscape management and REDD+; policy and governance Asia-Pacific countries; and green economies.

Summit participants emphasized, inter alia: integrating sectoral policies in working towards sustainable forest and land management; a climate change policy in Vanuatu that protects and reinvigorates 20,000 hectares of natural forests; private sector investments and partnerships with governments, communities and forestry experts to develop and implement forest conservation projects; the benefits of private sector participation for communities; and revenue generation by selling the carbon credits to increase projects sustainability.

Addressing the summit, Peter Holmgren, Director General, Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), advocated for: an integrated approach to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate change; redefining forestry to help alleviate poverty, improve health and increase economic benefits; and working across “traditional institutional boundaries” to realize the full potential of forests and forestry in sustainable development.

Brunei Darussalam’s Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Ali Bin Apong, urged promoting the efficient use of forest resources through appropriate technologies and encouraging the production of forest value-added products.

Australia’s Minister for Environment and Energy, Josh Frydenberg, highlighted the Global Forest Observations Initiative, which measures emissions from deforestation using satellite-based data, and through which Australia has shared knowledge and lessons learned with countries in the region. He noted a partnership with the US and Norway to extend the initiative’s reach.

During the summit, CIFOR and the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) announced a partnership to build on each other’s strengths, and focus on the relationship between smallholder agriculture, forest protection and landscape management. The partnership will increase collaboration on research, scientific and technical expertise, knowledge sharing and engagement in such areas as, inter alia: sustainable supply of agricultural commodities; innovative financing mechanisms to provide affordable credit to smallholders; and forest management and restoration, which considers smallholder needs. The partnership was formalized in June 2016 under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The Government of Brunei Darussalam hosted the 2016 Summit with support from the Government of Australia and with the CGIAR Consortium’s Center for International Forest Research (CIFOR) acting as a science and engagement adviser. [2016 Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit Website] [CIFOR Press Release on Opening of the Summit] [CIFOR Press Release on Second Day of Summit] [Address of CIFOR Director General] [CIFOR Press Release on CIFOR-SNV Partnership]