Brunei To Host Europe-Asia Eco Workshop In 2009

Brunei To Host Europe-Asia Eco Workshop In 2009 
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam announced in his titah at the 4th closed session of 7th ASEM yesterday that Brunei will organize a workshop in 2009 for young scientists from Asia and Europe to converge for ideas and experiences on environmental protection and conservation.

During the meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, His Majesty also expressed his appreciation over the efforts of ASEM members in promoting cultural exchanges and interfaith dialogue. His Majesty attached importance in creating awareness and promoting exchanges amongst the youth on this topic as well as on other global challenges. Besides the fourth closed session, His Majesty also attended the second and third closed session in the morning. According the ASEM 7th website on new initiatives for ASEM 7, the workshop is on 'Understanding the Impact of Climate Change on the Biodiversity Tropical Rainforests'. Prior to the 4th closed session, His Majesty also attended a working luncheon hosted by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao where leaders talked international and regional issues.

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The 7th ASEM Summit ended with a closing ceremony presided by Chinese premier Wen Jiabao. ASEM leaders endorsed the chairman's statement, being a declaration on sustainable development and the statement of the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting on the international financial crisis. President Yves Leterme, Prime Minister of Belgium as the host country of the 8th ASEM Summit in 2010 also addressed the ceremony.

The endorsed chairman's statement include leaders reaffirming the strategic importance of ASEM, and recognised that Asia and Europe are closely related geographically, historically and culturally, share many common ideals, are complementary in economic and social development and rich in cultural diversity. They recognised the high expectations placed on ASEM by their peoples, and emphasized the need to further strengthen Asia-Europe dialogue and cooperation on the basis of equal partnership, mutual respect, mutual benefit, seeking common grounds while shelving differences and learning from each other, which will bring about development opportunities and tangible benefits to both regions and be conducive to peace, stability and development.

Other topics endorsed in the chairman's statement were promoting political dialogue, advancing economic cooperation, driving sustainable development and furthering social and cultural exchanges.

Among the endorsed statement on the international financial situation, leaders believed that authorities should demonstrate vision and resolution and take firm, decisive and effective measures in a responsible and timely manner to rise to the challenge of the crisis. Leaders expressed full confidence that the crisis could be overcome through such concerted efforts.

On the Beijing Declaration on sustainable development, the leaders of ASEM are willing to strengthen cooperation in a mutually beneficial manner and work towards a win-win solution so as to make positive contribution to sustainable development.

The leaders also reaffirm that the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and the Johannesburg targets underline international cooperation for sustainable development.

Other topics brought up in the declaration include climate changes and energy security and social cohesion.

Following the closing ceremony, His Majesty joined Premier Wen Jiabao, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France and Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, in a coordinator's press conference.

His Majesty then left Beijing in late afternoon. Before departure, a `Doa Selamat' was read by Pehin Dato Seri Maharaja Datu Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Hj Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned, the State Mufti.    -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Shell & HSBC donated B$1,000,000

$1,000,000 For Heart Of Borneo 
By Amin Hosni

Bandar Seri Begawan - Heart of Borneo project yesterday received a whopping BND1,000,000 from two sponsors.

As part of their ongoing efforts to protect the environment, Brunei Shell Petroleum and HSBC partnered with the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources donated separately two cheques of BND 500,000 each amounting to BND 1,000,000. Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah was the guest oh honour yesterday at the sponsorship presentation ceremony for the Heart of Borneo. The ceremony was held at the Empire Hotel and Country Club in Jerudong. First to present the sponsorship was Dr Grahaeme Henderson, Managing Director of Brunei Shell Petroleum.

Followed by HSBC's Mr Tareq Muhmood, Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Brunei. HSBC presented their sponsorship of BND $500,000. Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah received the cheques which she later presented to Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah Haji Abdul Wahab, Acting Minister of Industry and Primary Resources and also Chairman of the Brunei Darussalam Heart of Borneo (HoB) National Council.

Prior to the presentation, Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah in his opening remarks said, "Our current efforts are focused on setting up the Heart of Borneo Brunei Centre. We are sourcing an internationally recognised conservation expert to lead the operations of the Centre, who will help manage it together with our own team of experts from MIPR and other relevant government departments as well as partners from the private sector.

"Among the top priorities of the Heart of Borneo Brunei Centre would be to take forward the recommendations outlined in the Project Implementation Framework and ensure that they are translated into concrete actions on the ground."

Meanwhile, Dr Grahaeme Henderson said, "Brunei Shell Petroleum has played a pivotal role in Brunei's Heart of Borneo project. We are proud to have been the initiating partner, with the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, when the Heart of Borneo project was still on the drawing board".

"Brunei Shell Petroleum's contribution towards the heart of Borneo started with the funding of the Project Implementation Framework phase. We have also extended technical assistance through mapping and satellite interpretation, together with the secondment of one of our geologists to work with the teams from MIPR and the World Wildlife Fund."

Dr Henderson continued, "Brunei Shell Petroleum, together with the Royal Dutch Shell Group, is happy to team up with HSBC and support MIPR in establishing the Heart of Borneo Centre. The Royal Dutch Shell Group has generously agreed to provide sponsorship of BND $0.5 million over a two year period and we will continue to provide assistance wherever we can".

Mr Tareq Muhmood meanwhile said, "Today is much more important than just handing over a contribution. It is the early steps in a journey towards a sustainable future. HSBC's roles in the Heart of Borneo initiatives are two-fold: putting the infrastructure in place to move the HoB initiatives forward and funding the field experiments on the long term effects of climate change led by Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and the Universiti Brunei Darussalam”.

The event also saw a video presentation by BSP and HSBC entitled 'Our Commitment to Sustainable Environment' and a pesambah presented to HRH Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah by both Dr Grahaeme Henderson and Tareq Muhmood.

Dr Grahaeme Henderson also presented a HoB Project Implementation Framework Negara Brunei Darussalam Final Report to Her Royal Highness.

Brunei Darussalam boasts some of the world's most well-preserved and pristine environment. It has a rich biodiversity and is still largely intact which demonstrated the Government of Brunei's prudent conservation policies.   -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Brunei Forest Conservation

Brunei Moving On Forest Conservation By James Kon
Bandar Seri Begawan - The Ministry of Primary Resources (MIPR) is moving forward in safeguarding Brunei's tropical forest for future generations, following the implementation of policies in conservation.
Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Setia Pahlawan Dato Seri Dr. Haji Awang Ahmad bin Haji Jumat outlined some of the policies implemented in protecting the natural tropical forest during a tree-planting event in support of Brunei's Heart of Borneo project for Citi's second Global Community Day yesterday.
The minister said: "As we understand, Brunei Darussalam has implemented the '1 tree felled plant 4' policy by the Forestry Department since 1993. The policy served as a short term strategy to restore and conserve forest, which has yielded positive result."
He added, "The policy on limiting forest products quota to 100,000 cubic meters has successful reduced uncontrolled logging activities. According to last year's statistics, Brunei recorded a fall of 2pc or some $2 million in the gross output for
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primary forest sector as compared with 2002. The figures show a decrease from $28.7 million in year 2002 to $26.7 million in year 2006.
"The ministry (MIPR) in its long-term strategic plan will be pushing to gross output with the average value of $27 million per year from the forest primary sector."
The minister highlighted: "Forest is among the country's precious natural assets and it play an important role in a balanced ecosystem. The bio diversification of forests can also raise the harmony of living in the country."
Speaking of the economic opportunities from the forests, he said, "Vast opportunities can be opened up, based on the richness of forest biodiversity, for example non timber forest product which is in line with the development of bio product industry like medicinal, herbal, and cosmetic.
He added, "Eco and nature tourism can also be a main sector filled with potential to be developed based on the wealth of forest bio-diversification. And this is a message for all local entrepreneurs to be actively involved in the forest sector.
"As a catalyst towards non timber forest product, the ministry is currently implementing another project `Tropical Biodiversity Centre' which was launched on March 21, 2007 on World Forestry Day," he said. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Temburong Day Tour

Tour Code: BWN 09

Tour Name: Temburong National Park tour

Duration: 9 hours include picnic Lunch

7 am pick up from Hotel and transfer to jetty. Upon registration, embark on a public ferry boat for 45 minutes like boat ride to Bangar/ Temburong. Boat will pass through River channel, Mangrove Island similar to Amazon River of Brazil.

Meet and greet by local guide at Banger Jetty. A brief stop for Nature call or last minute buying of titbits and drink before going into the Rainforest. Transfer overland to Batang Duri where your Rainforest trip begins. At Batang Duri, briefing on river safety by guide before getting into a local open motorised canoe called Temuai for an adventure boat ride to Ulu Temburong National Park. At the Park, register and take a slow guided 1200meter walk on gentle slope into the pristine Rainforest. Along the way, please take plenty of stop to enjoy the environment. Drink lot of water to hydrate yourself. Before you knew it you already reach the base of the Canopy Walkway. Climb up about 10 storey for a bird eye view of Rainforest canopy. There after retreat back to park for a picnic lunch.
After lunch, pack up and proceed to a water fall for a dip before retreat way back to Bangar Jetty to catch a public boat back to town jetty.
Transfer back to Hotel. Tour End

Price: B$128.00 per person . minimum 2 pax

Booking: hasatour@hotmail.com


As an outdoor trip, itinerary and times indicated is subject to change without notice, as trip may be affected by rain, heat, high or low water level in the river.
Recommended to wear :
Shorts, T - Shirt, old shoes or slippers advised for the longboat trip.
For the walk in the forest, long pants, socks, shirt and a pair of walking shoes with a good grip for walking on slippery planks.
What to Bring :
Rucksack, a change of clothes, sun lotion, hat, raincoat, camera, binoculars, Small towel for the walk, Towel + toiletries , Swimsuit , Insect repellent, Some snacks and drinks in case you get hungry and thirsty enroute.,

local news from Brunei on Heart Of Borneo

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

Kayaking Around Brunei

Kayaking around Brunei

Temburong River

Sea Kayaking

Pic Coming Soon

World Heritage Site- Mulu Caves

2 Days 1 nights - Show Caves

3 Days 2 nights- Show caves with Penan Village

4 Days 3 nights- Show Caves with Pinnacles

5 Days 4 nights- Show Caves with Head hunter Trial & Iban Long house

Adventure Caving-- Beginner to Advance

More detial Coming Soon, Ask for best price with best services----hasatour@hotmail.com