Channel NewsAsia 27 May 10;
SINGAPORE : Singapore's Environment and Water Resources Minister, Yaacob Ibrahim, has said Singapore has strong interests in the success of the global effort to address climate change.
Speaking at the Oslo Climate and Forest Conference, he said Singapore fully recognises the importance of addressing deforestation, which accounts for about 20 per cent of the global greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr Yaacob said Singapore is also concerned about the other impacts of uncontrolled deforestation on the environment, such as biodiversity and air pollution.
He said that in Southeast Asia, forest fires caused by unsustainable land clearing practices have resulted in annual transboundary haze.
This has affected public health, tourism, transportation and the economies of the regional countries.
While Singapore is not a forest nation, it has on a regional basis collaborated with ASEAN countries on sustainable forest management and biodiversity.
In its bilateral cooperation with the Jambi Province in Indonesia, it has worked with the authorities to encourage sustainable forest management and land clearing practices.
These include conducting capacity building programmes, developing capabilities for air quality and weather monitoring, and promoting alternative livelihoods for farmers.
Dr Yaacob thanked the Indonesian government for its cooperation in Jambi, which will help to reduce the annual haze problem. - CNA/ms
