IUCN Asia Regional Conservation Forum will be held in September for the first time in Korea with a total of 500 people attending, including representatives of 19 IUCN members in Asia and environmental experts
The Korean Organizing Committee (hereafter referred to as “Organizing Committee”) for the 2012 World Conservation Congress (WCC) is scheduled to hold the IUCN Asia Regional Conservation Forum (RCF) from September 27 – 30, 2011 (4 days) at the Songdo Convensia in Incheon City. The RCF is the preliminary event of the WCC, and which is scheduled to be held in Jeju from September 6 to 15, 2012 (10 days).
In order to review the environment action plan for the Asian region and discuss the agenda for the 2012 WCC, some 500 people, including representatives from 19 IUCN Asian member nations, leaders of local IUCN members (10 institu-tes/organizations), and environmental experts, will attend the RCF scheduled to be held a year before the 2012 WCC.
The sponsors have organized numerous official events for participants. As part of the IUCN Intersessional Programme 2013-2016, various topics, including biodiversity, climate change, sharing nature’s benefits, managing ecosystems, and greening the economy will be reviewed. The DMZ Forum, which reflects features of Korea, programs for the CEOs of eco-friendly companies, and eco-trips to areas boasting untouched ecosystems, are also part of official events. The IUCN Intersessional Programme 2013-2016 will provide IUCN policy directions for the next 4 years.
As for exhibitions and additional events, a Jeju scenery photo exhibition will be held in order to advertise the venue for the 2012 WCC, as well as help Jeju be chosen as one of the seven most beautiful places in the world. Pavilions will be installed and operated as part of the Knowledge Fair.
Most notably, IUCN President, Ashok Khosla and IUCN Director General, Julia Marton-Lefevre will make a rare appearance at the Asia Regional Conservation Forum. With the Minister of Environment, the Chairman of Green Growth Korea, and corporate CEOs, they will discuss current issues and develop cooperative measures for the successful hosting of 2012 WCC
Meanwhile, the Organizing Comm-ittee and IUCN Asia Regional Office signed an agreement in the main conference room of the Organizing Committee on June 29, 2011. Both parties agreed to provide the venue for the RCF and to supply human and material resources for the successful hosting of the IUCN RCF, scheduled to be held at the end of September. They also agreed to share information with the government and related organizations/institutions, as well as identify action plans and specific areas for collaboration.
Following his visit to the Minister of Environment, the co-organizer of the event, and discussions regarding the IUCN’s regional-level action plans, Regional Director, Aban Marker Kabraji of the IUCN Asia Regional Office requested the department provide continuous support for the RCF, the catalyst for Asia’s green growth paradigm.