BIMP-EAGA Lauds Good Progress In ‘Heart Of Borneo’ Roadmap
Davao - Regional governments last Friday lauded the good progress being made in preparing the roadmap in improving the lot of people in the interior of Borneo island, which is recognised as one of the most important centres of biological diversity in the world.
The 12th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-MalaysiaPhilippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Ministerial Meeting ended being upbeat on the efforts in preparing the documents, which will form the basis for the development of the roadmap toward realising the "Heart of Borneo" initiative.
"We recognise that economic growth and environmental management are inseparable and crucial to sustaining and improving the quality of life of the people in EAGA.
"As such, we urge the relevant agencies responsible for the Heart of Borneo programme to finalise and agree on their respective National Project Documents," said a joint statement here.
It was issued by the Philippines Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process of the Philippines, Jesus Dureza; Malaysia's Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Abdul Rahman Sulaiman; Indonesia's F)ecial Envoy for EAGA Tan Sri Dai Bachtiar; and Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Pehin Datuk Lim Jock Seng.
Last January, the Malaysian, Brunei and Indonesian Governments signed an agreement to conserve the Heart of Borneo, which covers about 220,000sq km of equatorial rainforests and numerous wildlife species.
The collaboration is aimed at promoting sustainable development, protecting vital resources and reducing poverty.
They also took note of the progress in the implementation of the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion programme and urged the relevant agencies to support and sustain it.
Apart from that, they also urged senior officials to expedite the legalisation process of the BIMP-Facilitation Centre to enable it to function more effectively.
"We conveyed our commitment to improve our respective in-country coordination mechanisms as we continue to strengthen the institutional structures and coordinating mechanisms at the sub-regional level," the statement said.
Acknowledging the vital role of the private sector in realising the goal of BIMP-EAGA, they renewed their commitment to the establishment of a business-friendly policy and an enabling environment for the private sector to take advantage of the opportunities available.
They also hoped the BIMP-EAGA Business Council will expedite the implementation of its expanded consultative platform, thereby promoting a more inclusive and broader private sector representation and participation in development activities. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin
Sunday, October 28, 2007
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