SPECIAL SECTION
ASEAN-WEN tion through strategic campaigns, law enforcement capacity, and supporting the ASEAN-WEN and other similar platforms. “The private sector creates jobs and the government regulates”, said former US Defense Secretary William Cohen, who encouraged stronger collaboration between the government and the business community as a sensible and ethical move to balance economic development and conservation. He noted the strong interest and ongoing support of the US to Indonesia in developing tools and opportunities in conserving the nation’s natural heritage. Secretary Cohen, Chairman of the Cohen Group and a US-ASEAN Strategy Commissioner, also recognized the role of the ASEAN-WEN in combating wildlife crime in the region. Mr. Cohen also served as US Senator and Congressman prior to his appointment as Secretary of Defense (1997-2001) during the administration of US President Bill Clinton. At a public lecture at the ASEAN Secretariat a day before the “Endangered Species Forum”, Secretary Cohen urged Indonesia to work toward a greater community with more unity of actions, especially in issues related to human rights, freedom and democracy. He said that with challenges of fighting terrorism, piracy and human, animal and drug trafficking, America and ASEAN should share techniques and technology. Addressing the forum, former Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla said, “Corporate social responsibility must be optimized or we’re just stuck here talking at meetings at hotels like this. The issue of orangutans is a symptom. What we’re trying to do here is not to talk about the symptom, rather why that symptom appears.
Pitsuwan
Adinda
The threat to the country’s endangered orangutan population is a symptom of unchecked resource exploitation. Their forest is gone. The same thing with us humans, for instance, in Jakarta; if we don’t have any parks or green spaces, we too become restless. Their lives are threatened because their habitat is disappearing.” Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), stressed
the need for a new global awareness to conserve biodiversity. He lauded the ongoing private sector initiatives of the organizers and forum partners as a contribution to ASEAN governments’ efforts in protecting the region’s rich biodiversity. The Secretary-General noted the contributions made by the USAID to ASEAN in providing technical support to combat wildlife depletion and habitat destruction. The forum event also showcased National Geo-
graphic Channel’s “Crime Against Nature” episode on the illegal trade of exotic pets in Thailand with links to an Indonesia smuggling syndicate. The Crime Against Nature Series highlights private sector support to Thailand’s Wildlife Enforcement Network (Thai-WEN) –ASEANWEN’s National Task Force – in combating wildlife crime in Thailand and across its borders. The TV series was produced by ARREST Partners FREELAND and AsiaWorks TV.
JANUARY - APRIL 2012
ASEAN BIODIVERSITY
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