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Monday 1 August 2005
Queensland may have trouble seeing the trees for the forestry experts as the first of 2000 international delegates from over 80 countries start to converge on Brisbane for a prestigious world congress next week, 8 -13 August.
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Gordon Nuttall said the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (Queensland) will be the Australian Host of the XXII International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) World Congress.
Mr Nuttall said the conference is held once-every-five-years for forestry scientists and stakeholders to meet under the one roof and discuss the latest in scientific research, policy and technological innovations.
According to Gary Bacon, Chair of the Congress Organising Committee, it is the first time an IUFRO World Congress has been held in the Southern Hemisphere and, based on the impact of past congresses, the resolutions and outcomes discussed over the six-day event are set to address forest policy and science on a global scale.
"IUFRO provides a vital forum for forestry sectors to join together and, through research and innovation, set about tackling issues ranging from climate change to challenging poverty in developing countries through sustainable forestry management," Dr Bacon said.
"Every day, whether they realise it or not, consumers benefit from forestry research and development which provides housing, furniture, paper, food and employment and a magnitude of important environmental and health benefits," he said.
"Having an event of this global influence and significance in Australia provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase the fantastic research developments and innovative sustainable forestry practices happening in our own back yard," Dr Bacon said.
Mr Nuttall said this year's congress had a strong focus on ensuring the opportunity to attend was available to all countries.
"A scheme called the 'Scientists Assistance Program' (SAP) has sponsored more than 50 disadvantaged scientists from developing countries including Kenya, Nepal and Bangladesh to attend the event," Mr Nuttall said.
"This provides an opportunity for these scientists to not only learn from international colleagues, but also to present their own research and experiences."
The line up of outstanding keynote speakers includes:
During the IUFRO World Congress, delegates will see Queensland's forestry research and development initiatives in action with in-congress tours visiting over 40 sites throughout South East Queensland including the DPI& F Salisbury Research Centre, Beerburrum Forestry Nursery, Kenilworth Hoop Pine Plantations and Whitehorse Mountain Lookout.
For more information about the XXII IUFRO World Congress visit www.iufro2005.com or call (07) 3854 1611.
Media Contacts:
David Potter
Minister's office
Ph. 3239 6530
Amity Mills
Senior Media Officer
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries Strategic Communication & Marketing
Ph.
3224 8837
International forestry experts call Gympie home
Sixty leading forestry scientists from developing countries including Slovakia, Russia, Costa Rica and Peru will converge on Gympie this week to participate in special training courses aimed at reducing poverty through sustainable forestry management.
Coordinated by the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) in partnership with national and international agencies, four pre-congress training workshops are being held in Gympie from 2-5 August in the lead up to the prestigious International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO) World Congress in Brisbane the following week.
Every five years the IUFRO World Congress provides an opportunity for the world's leading forestry experts to meet under the one roof and discuss the latest in scientific, environmental, cultural and economic initiatives associated with forests and timber products and this year, approximately 2000 forestry experts from more than 80 countries are attending.
As part of the event, specialist, targeted congress training courses are run in the week leading up to the IUFRO World Congress in what is not only a first for Gympie, but also a first for the Southern Hemisphere.
Chair of the IUFRO Congress Organising Committee, Dr Gary Bacon said most of the participants in the training courses are from developing countries and are able to visit the Gympie training through a unique scheme called the Special Programme for Developing Countries (IUFRO-SPDC).
“To stage an event of this significance in Gympie is very exciting and a unique opportunity to showcase Queensland's innovative forestry practices on the world stage,” Dr Bacon said.
“Through the SPDC initiative, forestry scientists from developing or economically disadvantaged countries are given the opportunity to network with the world's leading forestry scientists and not only tap in to the latest cutting edge research from around the world, but also to share their experiences,” Dr Bacon said.
“Participants in the Gympie training can expect four days of intensive and very practical training. One course explores poverty and the role of forestry, and devotes a whole day to effective proposal writing,” he said.
“Other courses explore use and latest advancements in IT in forest research and the role of public affairs and public relations in sustainable forestry – all skills for participants to then take back, to the benefit of their own countries.”
The DPI&F is the Australian Host of the XXII IUFRO World Congress.
Further information:
Amity Mills, Senior Media Officer, Ph:
07 3224 8837
Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries
Strategic Communication & Marketing
GPO Box 46 Brisbane Qld 4001 Ph 07 3239 6380
DPI&F Call Centre 13 25 23 (weekdays 8 am to 6 pm)
The role of forestry research in the local and regional development of many countries, including Australia, is widely recognised.
When the world's largest gathering of forestry experts sets down roots in Brisbane this August in the form of the XXII International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO) World Congress, this issue will be high on the agenda.
One keynote speaker in particular will share with delegates his commercial expertise in the South African forestry sector, gleaned from a career that has spanned almost 30 years.
Eugene van As, the non-executive Chairman of Sappi Limited, will provide an insight into his views on the importance of wood science and forest science in helping developing countries develop viable forestry industries.
And he should know.
Mr van As is highly regarded as one of the most talented commercial operators in the international forestry industry.
After joining Sappi in 1977 as the Managing Director of Sappi Kraft (Pty) Limited, it was only one year until he was appointed the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sappi Limited - now the world's leading producer of coated fine paper.
He was appointed as Executive Chairman in 1991 and non-executive Chairman on his retirement as Chief Executive Officer in 2003. He is also a Director of Sanlam Limited and Trustee of a number of education and research bodies.
Mr van As believes the importance of countries sharing their expertise in research and forestry development should go without saying.
"We can all learn from each other. If we develop everything in silos, the forestry industry will be the poorer," he said.
"It is inevitable that companies that have commercially exploitable technology will tend, quite rightly, to use that for their own financial benefit before they share it with others.
"There are things to consider, such as commercial competitive advantages.
"General know-how, however, should be shared freely - particularly in the southern hemisphere where there is a competitive advantage for the industry in the paper pulp and the cellulose pulp industries," he said.
Like its sunburnt neighbour in the southern hemisphere, the South African industry faces similar challenges to Australia.
"The forestry industry is strong and buoyant in South Africa, but like other countries where the currency has strengthened significantly against the US dollar, it has been affected by the rapid change in its income stream - most of it is generated through products sold at prices which are either in US dollars or strongly related to the US," Mr van As said.
Mr van As said the local industry has a competitive position in hardwood pulp, a product which is almost entirely eucalyptus-based.
"All the forests are man-made plantations," he said.
"Yields are relatively high and stable and the manufacturing units are in the main large and globally competitive entities," he said.
Mr van As believes the arid nature of the country is the industry's most significant limit to growth.
"The limits to growth are really determined by the availability of wood," he said.
"Although there are superb growing areas in South Africa, they are limited in size because of the arid nature of the country in general.
"Water resources in the wet areas are conserved and permits are required to plant plantations, but even so, technology has developed in such a way that yields per hectare have increased significantly.
"I believe the benefit of this technology is going to be seen in the next decade," he said.
Mr van As' presentation at the XXII IUFRO World Congress will provide a unique insight into the workings of one of the forestry industry's most successful commercial businessmen.
Other keynote speakers include:
The Congress is hosted by the Queensland Government's Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries and will be held at the Brisbane Convention Centre from 8 - 13 August 2005.
For more information visit www.iufro2005.com,
e-mail the congress manager at iufro2005@ozaccom.com.au
or phone (07) 3854 1611.
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