Kathmandu, September 7:

The World Conservation Union (IUCN), along with the government of Nepal, is organising the fourth IUCN Asia Regional Conservation Forum (RCF), an international conference on environment and sustainable development under the theme “Synergies for a Sustainable Asia”, from September 10 to 14 in Kathmandu.

The RCF is an environmental event to address sustainable development issues in this biodiversity-rich region. It will focus on three thematic priority areas: Conserving biodiversity for life, climate change, energy and poverty, environment and greening the economy.

According to the organisers, about 400 participants from 30 Asian countries, including all eight SAARC nations, are participating in the RCF.

Organising a press conference today, Aban Marker Kabraji, regional director, IUCN, said that the RCF is a common forum to understand and share issues of environment in the Asian region and develop common strategies to meet the challenges.

“The forum is to promote meaningful dialogue on critical conservation and development issues with the emphasis on the impact of emerging socio-economic trends and industrialisation in the region.”

The RCF will highlight Nepal’s rich natural and cultural heritage and measures taken for its management.