Dr Lulie: 15th IPC to improve life for future generations
KUCHING: The 15th International Peat Congress ( IPC) is not about updating and networking but it is about life and hope and better opportunities for future generations of Sarawakians, said congress general Dr Lulie Melling.
As such, she called on those attending the congress to “think of millions of people without a voice, those for whom a secure life is still a distant prospect”.
“Together, let’s consider their needs, who rely on our academic expertise and positions. To shape the policies of today, because none of us have the right to assume that ‘ for our today’, they should have to give up their tomorrow,” said Lulie in her keynote address at the opening of the 15th IPC at a leading hotel here yesterday.
For the first time in its history, the IPC which has traditionally been held in Europe and North America has been brought over to Asia.
As Lulie pointed out, it was done to create awareness of the ground realities of tropical peatland and how it has been critical to Asia’s socio- economic developments.
“This also gives a lifetime opportunity for the people in this part of the world to experience a global platform in our own home ground,” she said.
The five- day congress themed ‘ Peatlands in Harmony: Agriculture, Industry and Nature’ attracted 900 participants from more than 30 countries.
“All eyes are on the responsible use of peatlands and the preservation of their unique dynamics and natural biodiversity.
“The topics, themes and discussions at this year’s congress will guide the direction of the industry and all facets of activities related to the utilisation of peatland for a better understanding by the global community and society and the knowledge to tackle global climate issues through scientific findings,” said Lulie, who is also the director of Tropical Peat Research Laboratory ( TPRL)
Together, let’s consider their needs, who rely on our academic expertise and positions. To shape the policies of today, because none of us have the right to assume that ‘for our today’, they should have to give up their tomorrow. Dr Lulie Melling, IPC congress general
Unit in the Chief Minister’s Department.
The IPC, a prestigious quadrennial event to gather global peat experts, was held for the first time in Asia. Taking place from Aug 15 to 19, it officially kicked off yesterday at a local hotel after Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem declared it open.
The congress is aimed at bringing together local and international scientists, policy makers, researchers, nongovernmental organisations, plantation industry players and agriculturists to discuss effective ways to utilise peat and peatlands in the tropics without harming the environment.
This year’s congress witnessed the biggest participation in 60 years for the International Peatland Society ( IPS) which was established in 1968 and has the tradition of holding its meeting in Europe and North America. Apart from the biggest participation, the congress also saw the biggest number of papers presented – 200 scientific papers and 200 scientific posters.
Among the renowned keynote speakers at the congress are: Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi; Dr Hisao Furukawa, professor Emeritus, Kyoto University, Japan who is also executive president of NPO Moyai Network for Peace and Environment; Dr Juergen Pickert, head of Grassland Research Group, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research; Dr Kalyana Sundram, deputy CEO and director of Science and Environment of Malaysia Palm Oil Council; Dr Lulie Melling; Dr Ryan Edwards; Dr Ryusuke Hatano, professor of Environmental Resources, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Japan; Dr Supiandi Sabiham; Dr Susan Page, professor of Physical Geography, Department of Geography, University of Leicester, UK; Dr Takashi Hirano, professor of Lab Ecosystem Informatics, Environmental Resources, Research Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Japan; and Marcel Silvius, programme head Climate of Smart Land Use, Wetlands International.
The congress is supported by two scientific unions - the International Union of Forest Research Organisations ( UFRO) and the International Union of Soil Sciences ( IUSS), adding to the breadth and depth of the research work presented during the congress.
“The world renowned scientific experts and researchers, industry shakers and movers as well as professionals we will have with us at the congress will shed light on the latest development on the way we think about peatlands in the tropics,” said Lulie.
Among some of the highlights of the 15th IPC 2016 are: excursion for the participants to experience tropical peatlands with visits to smallholders and settlers in Samarahan Basin, some 40 km from here which showcased farmers’ good agricultural practices in combination with sustainable development; a welcome reception for all the participants; gala dinner themed ‘ Borneo Tropical Rainforest’ where delegates will experience the ambience of Sarawak’s rainforest while sampling the finest of Sarawak cuisines and the IPS General Assembly scheduled to be held on the last day of the congress on Aug 19.