PROGRAMME

Agroforestry for Sustainability:
Climate, Conservation and Communities in ASEAN

Conference
Venue: Online
Date: Tuesday & Wednesday | 3rd November & 4th November 2020
Time: 0900-1200

0930-0935

Opening

0935-0940

Welcome Remarks

0940-1055

A Climate of Opportunity - Financing Ecosystem Restoration in Southeast Asia

Nature-based approaches have gained traction as a promising means to mitigate some of the effects of climate change. Forest conservation and ecosystem restoration, for instance, offer major sources of carbon storage, as well as opportunities to engage local communities whose livelihoods are tied to the land. Yet, such efforts continue to suffer from a significant lack of
capital, in part due to the inherent complexity and unpredictability of natural systems as well as the lack of widely accepted standards for measuring impact. Southeast Asia has devised its own approaches through various investment mechanisms adopted by both the public and private
sectors. These range from direct conservation strategies using carbon offsets to environmental funds. With many of these initiatives at their early stages, it remains to be seen how these actors will overcome longstanding challenges and identify suitable opportunities in forest conservation and ecosystem restoration.

Key questions:

  1. How do nature-based solutions relate to the resource sector in Southeast Asia?
  2. What are some promising opportunities to invest in conservation and ecosystem restoration projects in Southeast Asia? What role can different stakeholders play to scale-up these opportunities?
  3. Given local communities’ reliance on the land for their livelihoods, what measures could be taken to involve local communities and ensure their interests are sufficiently considered?

 

Panel Keynote

Mr. Syamsuar, Governor of Riau, Republic of Indonesia

 

Panellists

Mr. Dharsono Hartono, President Director, PT Rimba Makmur Utama

Ms. Neo Gim Huay, Managing Director, Sustainability & Stewardship, Temasek International

 

Moderator

1055-1100

Closing

0900-0905

Opening

0905-0915

Welcome Remarks

0915-1025

Sustainability in the Resource Sector in a Post-Pandemic ASEAN

Countries and major multinational corporations are calling for systemic changes to advance  sustainability goals and mitigate climate change. ASEAN’s resource sector is no exception, and has  been in the spotlight given its linkages with the most biodiverse landscapes in the region. Even as  countries work to strengthen their environmental commitments, recent fires and haze  demonstrate that there remain difficulties such as enforcement or traceability across the supply  chain. Uncertainties including geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts and a global economic  slowdown also threaten to impact the implementation of national sustainability policies, and may  affect the ability of resource sector companies or financial institutions to fulfil their sustainability  commitments. This panel will discuss how governments and the private sector can foster collective  leadership towards better land and ecosystem management, so that ASEAN’s economic growth is formulated with sustainable development in mind. 

Key questions:  

  1. What are some obstacles companies face in aligning the implementation of their environmental and social commitments with national sustainability policies?
  2. How can financial institutions and resource sector companies continue to uphold sustainability priorities and practices despite broader political uncertainties and the economic downturn?
  3. How can companies better prepare to adapt to growing market demand for sustainable commodities? 

 

Panellists

Dr. Surina Ismail, Group Head of Sustainability, IOI Group

Ms. Perpetua George, General Manager – Group Sustainability, Wilmar International

Mr. Michael Chong, Senior Manager, Neste Sustainability Asia

Moderator:

Ms. Eu-Lin Fang, Partner, PwC Singapore

1025-1055

Break

1055-1100

Opening

1100-1200

Towards a Low-Carbon Future - What's Next for Green Policies in ASEAN?

Governments in ASEAN recognise the necessity of urgent action to address critical environmental concerns. Policymakers across the region are exploring different ways to put a price on carbon. Responding to growing international awareness about sustainability issues, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has made addressing fires and haze as well as peatland conservation a priority. In Malaysia, initiatives such as Sarawak’s Totally Protected Areas illustrate a myriad of approaches to ensure that economic growth continues, while taking into account sustainability concerns. Singapore recognises climate change as an “existential problem” for the country and has highlighted the need to address climate, resource and economic resilience in tandem. Even as ASEAN countries recover from the economic fallout from COVID-19, regional cooperation is essential to accelerate the transition to a greener, low-carbon future. This session will feature two keynote addresses followed by a Q&A session.

Key questions:

  1. Given the long-term nature of combating climate change, how can policymakers secure buy-in and investment for sustainability initiatives in a post-COVID-19 world?
  2. As global awareness about sustainability grows, what are the prospects for regional and international cooperation to encourage green supply chains and financing for conservation?
  3. What further action is needed to continue the shift towards higher sustainability standards in key sectors like agriculture and forestry?

 

Keynote speakers

Ms. Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Republic of Singapore

Mr. Luhut Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Republic of Indonesia

 

Moderator

Associate Professor Simon Tay, Chairman, Singapore Institute of International Affairs

1200-1205

Closing Remarks
Note: This programme is subject to change.
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