OPENING STATEMENT By Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul Chairman, The Sirindhorn International Environmental Park Foundation under the Patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Representatives of forum organizers, partners and sponsors; distinguished participants; ladies and gentlemen: On behalf of the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park Foundation under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, I have the honor and pleasure to welcome all of you to the Asia Regional Forum on Biodiversity. This is an auspicious international gathering central to the aspiration and vision of the Park, which is to be an international learning centre on rehabilitation and development of natural resources and environment. The Park is, by its mandate, positioned to promote education, public awareness, capacity building, and research innovations, and it builds international linkages and global partnership. It engages strategic alliances through networking both at the local, national and international levels. It was through the initiative of Her Royal Highness that the previously environmentally degraded area has been rehabilitated and restored into its original natural condition. The rehabilitation of mangrove forest and beach forest to be a learning centre on nature and environment, and the promotion of biodiversity, are among the major thrusts of the Park to educate and train students, youth, citizens both in the community and region including officials of government agencies and private organizations. These goals are aimed at realizing energy, natural resources and environment conservations in order to cope with the national strategies on climate change. The Sirindhorn International Environmental Park also serves as the core of the Regional Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the region where it is located. The Sirindhorn International Environmental Park was a participant at a side event organized by the United Nations University at the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) Conference of the Parties (COP10) in Nagoya in 2010. We had the opportunity to showcase the Park’s activities on biodiversity conservation. It is therefore fitting and gratifying that the theme of this forum is in accord with the resolution at the Nagoya Meeting which is ‘Encouraging Partnership between Business and Communities for Biodiversity – Showcasing Best Practices’. Dr. Sumet Tantivejkul Chairman, The Sirindhorn International Environmental Park Foundation under the Patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn xvi THE ASIA REGIONAL FORUM ON BIODIVERSITY
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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