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REMARKS BY THE INCOMING CHAIRPERSON OF ASOF
Distinguished ASOF Leaders and Heads of Delegates,
Distinguished Delegates,
Representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Very good morning!
At the very outset I would like to welcome the honourable ASOF leaders and
delegates to the Twelve Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials on Forestry (ASOF)
held in Nay Pyi Taw which is the newly built administrative capital city of the Union
of Myanmar. I really appreciate your gracious presence today to set up another
milestone for the development of the forestry sector in the ASEAN region.
2.
On behalf of the Ministry of Forestry of the Union of Myanmar, I feel honoured
to be elected as the Chairman of the ASOF for the coming year. I would like to
extend my sincere appreciation to the outgoing Chairman the Honourable Dr. xx xx
xx of Malaysia for his excellent leadership during the Eleventh Meeting of ASOF.
With the dynamic cooperation of ASOF colleagues, I will try my best to make our
Twelve Meeting of ASOF a success, productive and enjoyable one.
Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
3.
As you may be aware, forests in Southeast Asia region are of key importance
to the economic, ecological and social development of the region. Millions of people
in the region depend primarily on forests for their livelihood in one way or the other.
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Forest exports and trade have contributed significantly to the economic development
in the past and have the potential to continue to do so in the future. Moreover,
ASEAN is also challenged to bring into reality the ASEAN Vision 2020 which, inter
alia, in 1997 calls to promote the forestry sector as a model in forest management,
conservation and sustainable development by harmonizing environmental, social and
economic policies.
More specifically, the ASEAN Report to World Summit on
Sustainable Development (WSSD) 2002 underscores the need to address the
underlying causes of deforestation by linking sustainable forest management with
poverty alleviation.
4.
Myanmar is committed to the implementation of Sustainable Forest
Management (SFM) as enshrined in the resolution of the United Nations Conference
on Environment and Development (UNCED), as well as the WSSD. While focusing on
economic growth and development, Myanmar is giving an equal attention to promote
conservation of its natural resources and environment protection, and to utilize forest
resources sustainably for the benefits of the people dependent on it.
Thanks to
consistent practice of a robust forest management system, namely Myanmar
Selection System (MSS) over a period of more than a centaury and a half, about half
of Myanmar’s total land area is still forested.
Out of this, about 24% has been
gazetted by law as Permanent Forest Estate (PFE) which are under sustainable
management.
5.
The Myanmar Timber Enterprise plays an important role in the socio-economic
development of the country and remains a major contributor to the country’s export
earnings (i.e. USD 400 million in 2008-2009 fiscal year). The sector also provided
direct employment for xxx, xxx people or x.x percent of the nation’s workforce.
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Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
6.
Myanmar has 150 years of experience in managing natural forests applying
the world renowned Myanmar Selection System (MSS).
legislative mechanisms are well in place.
As a result, policy and
The 1995 Myanmar Forest Policy was
formulated keeping in view the Forestry Principles adopted at the 1992 UNCED. The
clear cutting system has never been practiced in natural forests. Use of elephants in
timber harvesting is a unique practice causing the least adverse impact on the
environment. Myanmar's forests have been managed through the formulation and
implementation of short-term and long-term plans. The district forest management
plans covering the whole country are formulated in line with the modern forestry
concepts for a period of 10 years. The National Forest Master Plan (NFMP), the
roadmap for effective and efficient conservation of forest resources, was formulated
and put into action for a 30-year period from 2001-02 to 2030-31. The plan reflects
not only the current status of the forests in Myanmar but also social and macroeconomic policies of the country. Conservation of natural forest, establishment of
forest plantation, community forestry development, bio-energy, non-wood forest
products, human resource development and forestry extension are the major
components of the NFMP. Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
7.
This meeting is indeed timely for us to share our views and concerns on issues
that are affecting the forestry and timber sector globally such as the issue on climate
change. Myanmar shares the common concern of the international community that
climate change is affecting the global environment and that it requires our immediate
attention.
As far as Myanmar is concerned, the climate change issue has to be
viewed and handled holistically.
We must bear in mind that while there will be
impact of climate change on forest, the impact of climate change on non-forest
sector will also have impact on the forestry sector. It is our considerable view that
all development plans must now be subjected to a review on the basis of climate
change, while recognizing that there is an uncertainty on the level on actual impact.
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Thus development plan must be regularly reviewed the basis of latest information on
climate change.
Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen
8.
I do hope that the 12th ASOF Meeting would further enhance our cooperation
and come up with one voice and common position on issues related to forestry and
timber industry. We must ensure that whatever solutions or proposals we made for
this two-and-a half days meeting will be based on “outcome-orientated approach”
and give full attention on the implementation of the proposed plan of actions, work
plans and roadmap.
I would like to take this opportunity to call for your active
participation and interaction throughout this important meeting.
In conclusion, I
wish all distinguished ASOF leaders and delegates a pleasant stay in Nay Pyi Taw and
hope that ASOF leaders and delegates will enjoy the hospitality and friendship ov a
beautiful
Thank you very much for your attention..