Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan – The three governments representatives from the Heart of Borneo (HoB) Initiative – Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia – convened in the 8th Heart of Borneo Annual Trilateral Meeting (T8) opened today (12/3) in Palangka Raya, entitled “Committing to Green Economies for Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Heart of Borneo: From Theory to Action”. The meeting is focusing on the implementation progress and measures of HoB Declaration on the ground to achieve a green and sustainable development in HoB area.  

In his welcoming speech, Agustin Teras Narang, S.H., Governor of Central Kalimantan, shared  ambitions for concrete actions in HoB, “I do hope that it is time for the HoB Initiative to make progress on implementation, not just about concept and proposal. Therefore, I am looking forward for this trilateral meeting results that are more targeting on concrete actions which can be measured in the field.”

T8 will be hosted and chaired by Indonesia, represented by its Head of the HoB National Working Group, Dr. Prabianto Mukti Wibowo. He stressed that it is time for concrete action in the HoB. “Countries, provinces, districts, villages and individuals. We must all devote our time and energy to the implementation of policies and activities that will make a real difference for greening the future of this biodiversity rich island,” said Dr. Prabianto.

On the agenda of the T8 are two proposals to stimulate ecotourism and destination development in the HoB. Another proposal to be discussed is the HoB Corridor Implementation; a plan intended to establish connectivity between high-value forests within Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. Indonesia will also present a proposal on the establishment of a network of local communities that promotes sustainable development and conservation.

Besides charting the future of the HoB, the government representatives will also take time to reflect upon the lessons learned from the past. All three member countries will present country reports on the development and progress that has been made in the HoB since the signing of the HoB Declaration in 2007.
 
 “The reports will be useful in improving Countries Action Plans to establish green development in the Heart of Borneo,“ said Thomas Maddox, WWF’s Borneo Program Leader. Maddox also added, “There is an urgent need to improve concrete actions enabling environment for the government, private sectors, community and civil society groups to interact and participate in driving the green economy agenda forward since Borneo is facing mounting pressure from demand on land for settlement, agriculture, plantations, mining, infrastructure and forestry.

For more info, please contact:
Dr. Prabianto Mukti Wibowo, Head of the Indonesia HoB National Working Group
Email: prabianto@gmail.com, Mobile: +62 811 112045

Thomas Maddox, WWF’s Borneo Program Leader
Email: tmaddox@wwf.or.id, Mobile: +62 811 9006277