Announcement
International Meeting on
Integrated Management and
Rehabilitation of Tropical Peatlands
26th November 2009
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Jointly organized by:
With support from:
International Meeting on
Integrated Management and Rehabilitation
of Tropical Peatlands
26 November 2009
Pearl International Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Peatlands are one of the world’s most important natural wetland ecosystems
covering 400 million ha in over 180 countries or 3% of the world surface. They are the
most important terrestrial ecosystem for carbon storage – storing double the carbon of
the biomass of all the world’s forests. They also have high value for biodiversity
conservation and human welfare. Peatlands play a key role in water resource
management, storing a significant proportion of global freshwater resources. Peatlands
support a very high diversity of flora and fauna species, many of which are unique to
this ecosystem.
South East Asia has about 30 million ha of peatlands, comprising 60% of the
global tropical peatland resource. Peatlands in this region are of particular importance
for climate change, biodiversity, water resource management and local livelihood. The
degradation and unsustainable use of peatlands in the region has been leading to
significant problems in recent years – especially large-scale fires and associated
transboundary haze which has been recognized by ASEAN as one of the most serious
regional environmental problems.
The significance of peatland degradation and fires for climate change has only
recently been recognized. It is now understood that peatland degradation emits an
average of about one billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per annum in the
region – or 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions exceed the
estimated emissions from degradation and deforestation of all forest types combined. In
order to address this problem, it is necessary that significant resources are allocated
from the global community to support peatland rehabilitation and conservation.
The importance of peatlands has been increasingly recognized in national,
regional and global forums. The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment
(AMME) in 2006 endorsed the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy (2006-2020)
(APMS). There is a need to review progress over the last three years in implementing
the strategy and identify challenges to its further implementation.
Peatland forests in South East Asia are relevant to the issue of climate change
for the following reasons:
 Tropical peat swamps contain much more carbon (largely in their peat soil) than
forests on mineral soil: in average ~3,000 tC/ha against ~250 tC/ha; therefore
peatland forest degradation leads to much larger cumulative emissions per area,
meaning that protection and restoration leads to much larger avoided/ reduced
emissions;
 Net emissions from peatland forest degradation continue on the same spot for
many decades, whereas those from deforestation only continue when
progressively more areas are affected;
 Peatland emission baselines resulting from drainage can be assessed on site
without the need to derive (hypothetical) baselines from long-term trends over
larger areas;
 In volume, worldwide emissions from degraded peatlands are equivalent to
those from deforestation but originate from a much smaller area (‘hotspots’).
Context
Peatlands of South East Asia play a key role in moderating global climate and
also support livelihood options for many local communities by providing food, water
supply and non-timber products. However, with the increasing pressure for land
development, reclamation, agriculture cultivation, mining, as well as unsustainable
logging or agriculture this unique ecosystem is fast depleting. The rapid degradation of
peatlands not only contributes to the loss of habitat for biodiversity, but also increased
the emission of carbon through burning or subsidence. Drainage and fires in Southeast
Asian peat swamp forests jeopardize the health and livelihoods of millions of people in
several countries in the region.
Conservation, restoration and wise use of peatlands are essential and costeffective measures for the long term climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Rehabilitation and integrated management of peatlands can generate multiple benefits
including poverty alleviation, combating land degradation, maintaining biodiversity, and
mitigating climate change.
IFAD and GEF are currently supporting the rehabilitation and sustainable use of
peatlands in Southeast Asia to generate benefits for climate change, biodiversity and
local communities, through a four year project in partnership with the ASEAN
Secretariat and selected ASEAN Member States to address the sustainable use and
rehabilitation of peatlands in Southeast Asia. The Project will support the
implementation of the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy (2006-2020) and
associated National Action Plans.
Purpose of the Meeting
The Meeting will provide a platform to highlight the importance of peatlands for
climate change and biodiversity and share experiences and lessons learnt in relation to
rehabilitation and sustainable use of peatlands.
This meeting is jointly organized by the ASEAN Secretariat and the Global
Environment Centre (GEC) as an activity supported by the ASEAN Centre For
Biodiversity (ACB) and the IFAD/GEF Project on Rehabilitation and Sustainable Use of
Peatland Forests in South East Asia.
Who Should Attend
Policy makers, International peatland experts, Government Institutions, academics,
NGOs and individuals
Meeting Venue
Pearl International Hotel
5th Mile, Old Klang Road, 58000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +(603) – 7983 1111 Fax: +(603) 7983 2211
Email: pih@pearl.com.my
Website : http://www.pearl.com.my
Room Rates
RM210 nett per night for a single room (inclusive of one breakfast coupon)
RM230 nett per night for a double room (inclusive of 2 breakfast coupons)
Getting to the Meeting Venue
 FROM KLIA Airport
Taxi Service
Upon leaving the baggage area look for “BUDGET TAXI” counter and purchase a
coupon for taxi. Taxi fare coupons are based on zones, with a surcharge after midnight.
Do not use pirate taxis (operated by touts). The taxi coupons can be obtained at
counters located at the International arrival area just after Customs, before the public
arrival area; the Arrival Hall by Door 3; and/ or the Domestic Baggage Reclaim area.
For further information, please contact the Airport Taxi at the following numbers:
Tel: +603 - 9223 8080 (Booking Centre)
Fax: +603 - 9223 8181
Tel: +603 - 8787 3675 (Airport Counter)
Fax: +603 - 8787 3588
 From LCCT
Taxi Service
Upon leaving the baggage area look for the “BUDGET TAXI” counter and purchase a
coupon for taxi. Taxi fare coupons are based on zones, with a surcharge after midnight.
Do not use pirate taxis (operated by touts). Taxi coupons can be obtained at counters
located at the International Arrival Hall and the Domestic Arrival Hall.
Visas
No visa is required for ASEAN member countries to enter Malaysia.
Currency
The official currency of Malaysia is the “Ringgit” (RM). The exchange rate fluctuates and
currently is approximately RM 3.40 per US dollar. Bank notes or traveler’s cheques can
be exchanged at the KLIA and at LCCT.
Currency exchange is also available at Hotel Reception but the rates are lower.
Official Language
The official language of the meeting is English.
26 November 2009
0800-0830
Registration
0830
Plenary
Welcome Address and Opening Remarks
0845 -1030
Session 1
Peatland
Rehabilitation and
Sustainable Use in
ASEAN
Overview of ASEAN Project on Rehabilitation and
Sustainable Use of Peatland Forests in SE Asia by ASEAN
Secretariat
1030-1045
1045-1115
1115-1135
The Challenges and Strategies for Rehabilitation and
Integrated Management of Peatlands in Respective
Countries
Presentations by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Viet
Nam
Tea break
Session 2
Reducing Fires and
GHG Emissions from
Peatlands in SE Asia
The Role of Peatlands in Regulating and Contributing to
Climate Change by GEC
Peat Fire Prediction and Monitoring Responses
by ASMC/ NEA Singapore or Metrological Dept, Malaysia
1135-1155
The Role of the Private Sector in Reducing Fires and
Emissions in Peatland Plantations (speaker to be confirmed)
11.55-12.15
Innovative financing options for reducing fires and GHG
emissions from peatlands in Se Asia
12.15-12.45
Discussion
1245-1400
Lunch break
1400-1415
1415-1430
Session 3
People, Biodiversity
and Peatlands
Overview – The Importance of Peatlands in SE Asia for
Biodiversity (speaker to be confirmed)
Draft Guidelines for the Conservation of Peatland
Biodiversity in SE Asia by Crawford Prentice
1430-1600
Discussion on Guidelines for Conservation of Peatland
Biodiversity in SE Asia (in plenary or sub-groups)
1600-1630
Tea Break
1630-1730
17.30-17.45
Panel Discussions
Priorities and Innovative Approaches for Sustainable
Peatland Management in SE Asia
Panelists: ASEAN, Government , Private sector and NGO
Representatives
Closing
Note: There will be a Preparatory Working Group Session for half-day on 25th
November 2009 (2.00-6.00pm) on the Guidelines for Conservation of Peatland
Biodiversity in SE Asia.
COMPLETE AND SUBMIT BY 13 NOVEMBER 2009
REGISTRATION FORM C – For Participants of the International Meeting
International Meeting on Integrated Management
and Rehabilitation of Tropical Peatlands
26 November 2009
Pearl International Hotel, 5th Mile, Old Klang Road, 58000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +(603) – 7983 1111 Fax: +(603) 7983 2211,
Email: pih@pearl.com.my, Website : http://www.pearl.com.my
Full Name (As appears in passport)
Designation/ Position
Organization
Mailing Address / Postal Code/ City
(Please provide full address)
E-mail Address(es)
Phone No.
Fax No.
Flight Itinerary
Arrival (Date/ Time/ Flight No): _____________ _____________ ____________
Departure (Date/ Time/ Flight No): _____________ _____________ ____________
Accommodation (please tick  and state number of nights)
I would require accommodation
single room for
night(s).
double room for
night(s).
For double room, please state if you would like a double-bed or twin beds: ________________
Please kindly return the duly completed Registration Form not later than 13 November 2009 to:
The ASEAN Secretariat:
Ms. Riena Prasiddha
Tel : (62-21) 726 2991
Fax : (62-21) 723 0985
Email:riena@asean.org
riena.prasiddha@gmail.com
Copy to Global Environment Centre:
Ms. Latha Sanasy
Tel : (603) 7957 2007
Fax : (603) 7957 7003
Email:
latha@gec.org.my
Participant’s Signature:
_______________________________________
Name
_______________________
Date