International Forum to Highlight Business Opportunities in Biodiversity

Manila, Philippines — Investment, profit and growth rate. In the world of business, where does biodiversity fit in? This question will be answered at the "Business Opportunities in Biodiversity" international conference and exhibition to be held at the Bayview Park Hotel in Manila. The conference will take place on October 8 while the exhibition will be from October 6 to 8. The event aims to raise the business sector's awareness on the values of biodiversity and encourage business to raise its stake on biodiversity conservation. Organized by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) in cooperation with the Philippines' Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Conference will feature discussions and presentations on the impact of biodiversity on business sustainability. Media partners are Business Mirror and the Global News Network. The conference will also focus on the current situation of biodiversity in the ASEAN region. Studies made by international organizations on business and biodiversity and actual business cases by selected corporations from Japan and Southeast Asian nations will be presented. Key speakers include Mr. Rodrigo U. Fuentes, executive director, ACB; Dr. Mario Tabucanon, visiting professor, United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies, and advisor, Executive Board, the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park Foundation; Dr. Naoki Adachi, executive director, Japan Business Initiative on Biodiversity; Atty. Darwin Mariano, public affairs director for Philippines and Asia, CEMEX Asia Pte. Ltd.; Mr. Satoshi Nimura, chairman, Nimura Genetic Solutions, Japan; Mr. Jose Reaño, managing director, Broadchem Corporation; Mr. Atsuhisa Takahashi, president, Corporate Environmental Strategy Unit, Fujitsu Limited, Japan; Mrs. Srisurang Massirikul, social and environment division manager, PTT Public Company Limited, Thailand.The conference will highlight the clear link between business and biodiversity. "At first glance, people do not recognize the crucial connection between business and biodiversity. Business is perceived to be detached from biodiversity. Biodiversity, however, knows no boundaries, cutting across all sectors – the business sector included," Director Fuentes of the European Union-funded ACB said.Business depends on biodiversity, relying on plant and animal species and ecosystem services for their products: food, medicine, water, building materials, paper, fuel, fiber, and more. Nature provides business with the fundamental components for long-term profits and survival."While businesses can have direct or indirect impact on biodiversity, they also have relevant biodiversity-related knowledge, expertise, and resources needed to conserve biological resources. The business sector is an integral part of the solution to biodiversity loss," Fuentes explained.Interested parties may contact the Center for Philippine Futuristics Studies and Management, Inc. at (+632) 753-5350 or (+632) 753-1061. Please look for Ms. Mel Reyes or Ms. Beng Santos.