The Fijian government has recently shown its support in the development of the Rainforest Recovery Plan for Asia and the Pacific.
Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Mr Osea Naiqamu speaking at the Asia-Pacific Rainforest Summit in Australia on Wednesday 12th November assured Fiji’s cooperation and support for the plan.
“From the outset, I would like to state our full support on the idea of having a Rainforest Recovery Plan for Asia and the Pacific, and its objective “To help slow, halt and reverse rainforest loss in the Asia-Pacific” including the key elements covering its Goals and Practical Actions. Ensuring that they build on existing commitments is of vital importance. I am therefore glad to be part of this important discussion.
Minister Naiqamu gave a brief overview of Fiji’s forest resources and the work that is currently being undertaken for the protection and conservation which are in line with national plans.
“The directions for the management of Fiji’s natural forests are encapsulated within a number of key national policy documents which also includes our various international commitments and obligations, such document includes: the Fiji Rural Land Use Policy 2005; the Fiji Forest Policy 2007; the Fiji REDD Plus Policy 2010; the Fiji Climate Change Policy 2012,” he said.
“Fiji has also started to revise its legislation to enforce the protection and sustainable management of Fiji’s natural forests, this includes: the Endangered and Protected Species Act 2002; the Environment Management Act 2005; the Revised Forest Harvesting Code of Practice 2013; the Fiji National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.”
Mr Naiqamu highlighted the importance of conserving forest biodiversity and ensuring the meaningful participation of forest owners if conservation work is to be successful.
“As over 90 percent of our natural forest are communally owned, improving the platform for the meaningful engagement and participation of forest owning communities is a vital component of our forest conservation strategy,” he said.
The summit was aimed at drawing up an action plan for Asia and the Pacific to address the issue of deforestation, and forest degradation.