Mustafa Shafawi Channel NewsAsia 24 Jun 10;
SINGAPORE: Emerging trends, issues and practical solutions on biodiversity conservation and management will take centre stage in a seminar next week, organised by the National Parks Board (NParks).
With 'Urban Biodiversity & Ecology for Sustainable Cities' as its theme, the June 28-July 1 seminar is one of the six Expert Panel Sessions under the World Cities Summit taking place from Monday.
The seminar brings together people from seven cities and countries who play a role in shaping cities of the future.
It is expected to be attended by over 200 local and overseas participants from the government, academia, research, and landscape practitioners.
One of the speakers, NParks CEO Ng Lang, said more than half the world's population live in cities.
And the figure ise expected to go up to 70 per cent by 2050.
Mr Ng said in order to be highly liveable, cities will need to plan for ecological sustainability so that residents can enjoy nature and biodiversity even as urbanisation intensifies.
The seminar will also highlight the City Biodiversity Index, also known as the Singapore Index on Cities' Biodiversity.
It's a self-assessment tool to monitor and measure biodiversity conservation efforts in cities.
The User's Manual on the City Biodiversity Index will be presented during the session, marking the launch of the official test-bedding phase for the index.
NParks, together with experts from various countries, is assisting the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity to finalise the City Biodiversity Index.
Currently, 28 cities around the world, including Singapore, have tested or are in various stages of test-bedding the index.
The City Biodiversity Index is currently part of the Draft Plan of Action on Cities, Local Authorities and Biodiversity.
The plan is due to be tabled for adoption in October at the Tenth Conference of Parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity. - CNA/jy
