‘Growing Together: Ecosystems & Livelihoods in Asia’ is the theme for the upcoming IUCN Asia Regional Conservation Forum, a premier event to address sustainable development issues in this dynamic and biodiversity-rich region.

The Regional Conservation Forum (RCF) which will be held from December 10-13 at the BMICH brings IUCN’s constituency together to discuss, review, and approve the Asia Region’s contribution to the IUCN intercessional Programme. It is organised in preparation for the World Conservation Congress (WCC), which will be held in November 2004 in Bangkok, Thailand.

"The RCF represents the "voice of Asia" on conservation issues, which will be brought to next year’s WCC in Bangkok," says Aban Marker Kabraji, IUCN Regional Director for Asia. "The main objective of the forum is to ensure that environmental and conservation efforts in the region are science-based, relevant, effective, compatible, and connected as necessary to achieve agreed conservation and sustainable development goals."

The forum will focus on the four main themes.

(A) From the mountains to the sea: how to manage ecosystems as landscape. (B) Conservation as a poverty reduction strategy: supporting livelihoods and minimising insecurity and vulnerability.

(C) Benefits beyond boundaries: how do we manage protected areas after World Parks Congress 2003; and (D) The Failure of Cancun: trade, globalisation and biodiversity.

The RCF will be co-hosted by the Government of Sri Lanka and IUCN - The World Conservation Union. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, will inaugurate the event, while IUCN President Yolanda Kakabadse and IUCN Director General Achim Steiner are scheduled of make keynote addresses. Participants will include representatives to governments, non-governmental organizations, research and scientific organizations, bilateral and multilateral donors, UN bodies, eminent scientists, members of the corporate sector, and conservationists from 23 countries in the Asia region and beyond.