For immediate release 9 October 2009

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah – Agreements and resolutions announced at the third annual Heart of Borneo (HoB) tri-national meeting which concluded yesterday (6/10/2009) proved that the ‘pulse’ of conservation and sustainable development - the lifeblood of the HoB Initiative - is still strong.
Opening the meeting, Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, the honourable Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Joseh Kurup, stressed the important role played by the HoB Initiative in establishing protected areas, maintaining productive forests and ensuring sustainable land use.
He said the HoB was a crucial part of Sth East Asia’s natural heritage and it provided tremendous value in terms of ‘goods and services’ vital for livelihood development. However, he warned that the task was far from complete and looked to the three governments of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia to agree on methods of effective implementation of agreements reached at the meeting.
Following the summit’s conclusion, a paper released by summit officials highlighted the importance of sustainable financing to make the HoB vision a reality. It also stressed the need to promote HoB as a priority area for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) and the opportunity to showcase this initiative during a side event at the climate change talks in Copenhagen later this year.
WWF’s Heart of Borneo Initiative Leader, Adam Tomasek, said he was encouraged by the development of individual national country plans and their on ground implementation, which would be the foundation of success for this three country initiative.
“Whilst the progress during this summit was encouraging, it must be tempered by the fact that the HoB still faces some enormous threats. Forest fires, deforestation, wildlife trade and rampant resource extraction pose real challenges that must be addressed if the governments are to achieve their shared objectives, as agreed under the HoB declaration in 2007.""
“As the world struggles with global climate change, it is vital for the governments of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia to position the HoB Initiative as part of the solution,” he said.

Ends

For further information, please contact:
Chris Greenwood, HoB Communications Manager +60 012 28354126.
Email: chris.greenwood@wwf.panda.org
Adam Tomasek, Leader, Heart of Borneo Initiative
Tel: +62 21 5761070 ext. 503, Fax: +62 21 57610980, Cellphone: +62 815 19044 167
E-mail: atomasek@wwf.or.id
Notes to editors
The Heart of Borneo Initiative
In February 2007, the governments of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia and Malaysia signed the Heart of Borneo Declaration. The declaration is supported under important regional and international agreements such as ASEAN Association of Sth East Asian Nations, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asia Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC), United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCD).