DOST-PCAARRD joins Asia-Pacific Forestry Week in Clark Freeport Zone

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARD) joined this year Asia-Pacific Forestry Week held recently at the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

Dr Feliciano G. Calora who headed the Forestry and Environment Research Division (FERD) represented DOST-PCAARRD in the event.

Around 1,100 delegates participated the week-long event which had the theme, Growing Our Future. Said delegates represent national and international organizations that are contributing to improving the productions of forests and creating sustainable forestry in the region. Following the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the United Nations General Assembly held last year and the adoption of the Paris Agreement by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the event was held shortly.

“With these agreements by the international community, we have committed ourselves to effect changes in conducting business through the adoption of a comprehensive, far-reaching and people-centered set of universal and transformative goals and targets towards sustainable development,” said Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje in his keynote message. Meanwhile, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Assistant Director-General Dr. René Castro-Salazar said that the agreement made during the UNFCCC Conference of Parties (CoP21) in Paris has given new hope to meet climate change challenges, with forestry in the frontline.

The event held simultaneous plenary sessions with topics on future trade and markets; climate change; serving society, forestry, and people; new governance; and green investment. To increase awareness about these topics, exhibits showcased various forestry-related products, programs, and activities in the region. Film screening about forest degradation, conservation, and regeneration were also shown, as well as the use of community forestry. (PSciJourn MegaManila)