Press Release, May 27, 2008 For Immediate Release
Bonn – In the 9th Conference of Parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity (COP9) in Bonn, Germany, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia announce Trinational Action Plans to conserve Heart of Borneo (27/05). All the three Bornean countries are to be congratulated for their commitment towards the transboundary conservation programme, global conservation organization WWF said today.
The plans consist of five main programs, namely Transboundary Management, Protected Areas Management, Sustainable Natural Resources Management, Ecotourism Development and Capacity Building. Moreover, the five main programs have been detailed into 21 proposed actions.
Heart of Borneo Network Initiative Leader, Adam Tomasek greeted the meeting result as now the governments already have the basis to realize the vision of HoB initiative that brings sustainable development in the island while securing the provision of water, food and cultural survival for the people of Borneo. “We put high respect for the government of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia for showing their strong leadership and persistency to lead the process into what we have gained today,” Adam said.
During the Heart of Borneo Side Event at the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) hosted by the three Governments today, each Government representative agreed that existing ties that each country is already benefiting from plays a major role in their cooperation towards the management of around 200,000 sq km project. The 8th Conference of Parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity (COP8) in Curitiba, Brazil in 2006 has become the corner stone of three governments of Bornean countries by internationally launched their joint commitment to promote sustainable development, protect vital natural resources and reduce poverty in Borneo. The trans-boundary collaboration was declared by three ministers in Bali, Indonesia in 2007. One year afterward three country action plan to make the promise strategically workable was yielded.
“We are happy that Brunei has become a member of the CBD. I congratulate them for their tremendous foresight towards global conservation,” said Dr. Mikaail Kavanagh, from Brunei Darussalam.
Dr. Mubariq Ahmad, CEO of WWF-Indonesia added, ""It's been a jubilation to witness the fast progress from last year's declaration in Bali to this Strategic Plan of Actions. This inspires others to how best contribute further to the three Bornean Governments. Congratulations!""
When contacted, CEO of WWF-Malaysia, Dr. Dionysius Sharma said, “The Heart of Borneo is a mammoth project that no one country can do alone. We are proud that the Malaysian Government is able to tell the world that they are serious in this business of conservation. The benefits of the Heart of Borneo to Malaysians and world population all over are invaluable.”
WWF appreciate the engagement of the Goverment of Germany to support Goverment of Indonesia in conserving the countries forests. A new bilateral programme climate-forest-biodiversity is currently in preparation in which HoB will be a focus region.
 
For further information, please contact:
Adam Tomasek, Leader, Heart of Borneo Network Initiative
Tel: +62 21 5761070 Ext. 503, Fax: +62 21 5761080, Cellphone: +62 818 949 973
E-mail: atomasek@wwf.or.id
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