The three-day conference sought to address the challenges in urban development and conservation of natural resources. Its objectives included:
To review the progress and status of urban and peri-urban forest development in the region;
To exchange information, ideas and learn from each other about urban forest and park management; and
To establish networking among participants from different countries for possible collaboration in future urban forest and park management projects.
There were 22 speakers including from Japan, Iran, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Bangladesh and South Africa at the conference which was attended by some 80 participants including decision-makers, urban planners and managers, landscape architects, foresters, tree care contractors, academicians and members of non-governmental organisations.
Also present at the opening ceremony was FRIM’s Deputy Director General (DG) (Operations) Dr Abdul Rahim Nik and Head of Ecotourism and Urban Forestry Programme, Dr Nor Azlin Yahya.
Kuching was selected to host the event because DBKU, which won the National Sustainable City (Bandar Lestari) Award 2006/2007 under State Capital category, also received the ASEAN Environmentally Sustainable Cities Award 2008 in October 2008.
