Regional Forestry Network to tackle ASEAN-CSO Cooperation on Social Forestry and Climate Change

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Siem Reap, Cambodia, June 11, 2012 - Around 150 participants from ASEAN delegation countries including civil society organizations (CSO), community based organization (CBO), donors, private sector and academic and research institutions will converge in Siem Reap, Cambodia on June 12-13 to attend the 3rd ASEAN Social Forestry Network (ASFN) Conference. The two-day conference themed: Strengthening ASEAN Civil Society Engagement on Social Forestry and Climate Change, hopes to strengthen the representation and engagement of CSOs in ASEAN social forestry and climate change initiatives.

The ASEAN Social Forestry Network (ASFN) in Cambodia, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) will be hosting and co-organizing the conference with the ASFN Secretariat, ASFN partner organizations including ASEAN CSOs. DDG H.E. Chea Sam Ang and Siem Reap governor H.E. DR. Sou Phirin will be opening the conference with around 150 participants expected.

The conference intends to create a venue for sharing experiences in CSO-ASEAN engagements in the areas of social forestry, climate change, forest livelihood and access rights. It also hopes to create a venue for dialogue between CSOs, community-based organizations’ CBOs and ASEAN member states to discuss key themes and shared agenda of CSOs and ASEAN and its member states. The conference will also promote CSOs participation in ASEAN and member state processes on Social Forestry and Climate Change initiatives, including REDD+.

The conference hopes that at the end of the two-day event, steps will be identified to further identify the mechanisms to engage CSO representatives in the ASFN as well as in critical ASEAN initiatives on social forestry and climate change.

Knowledge Fair

The Conference shall feature a Knowledge Fair which will showcase an array of information materials, publications and local forest products ad crafts from the ASEAN region. The Knowledge Fair will reinforce the thematic discussions on Social Forestry and Tenure, Forest Livelihood, and Climate Change. A reception will be held on 11 June 2012 to open the Knowledge Fair/Products Exhibition to be participated in by ASFN delegates and ASEAN Civil Society Forum on Social Forestry & Climate Change.

Field Visits

To cap the event, field visits to neighbouring forest areas will be held on the 13th to highlight the role of civil society in social forestry. The sites are in Oddar Meanchey Province, where community forestry conservation and carbon financing and benefit sharing schemes are being implemented, and in Siem Reap Province which features Integrated Agriculture Systems with community forestry management.

About the ASFN

The ASEAN Social Forestry Network (ASFN) was established by ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry (ASOF) IN 2005 with a vision to promote Social Forestry policy and practices in ASEAN member counties. ASFN contributes to and is aligned with several ASEAN bodies, projects and initiatives, among others, the ASEAN Multisectoral framework on Climate Change: Agriculture and Forestry towards food security (AFCC). Through its social forestry-related activities, the ASEAN contributes to the framework's goal of food security through sustainable, efficient and effective use of land, forest, water and aquatic resources, by minimizing the risks and impacts of and the contributions to climate change.

For More Information CONTACT:

ASEAN Social Forestry Network (ASFN) Secretariat
Manggala Wanabhakti Bld., Block VII, 4th Fl.,
Jl. Gatot Subroto, Jakarta 10270, Indonesia
T: +6221 570 3246, ext. 478, F: +6221 5730 136
W: http://www.asfnsec.org

RECOFTC - The Center for People and Forests
Ms. Prabha Chandran
prabha.chandran@recoftc.org
+66847019221

Forestry-Administration-of-Cambodia
Mr.Long Ratanakoma
dfc.koma@gmail.com
077 680 838

Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Mr.Neou Kompheak
neou_kompheak@hotmail.com
012 734 744

Non-Timber Forest Products-Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP)
Mr. Leonard G. Reyes
leonard.reyes@gmail.com
078 323 149

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