2nd Asia Parks Congress

"Greetings and a very warm welcome to all participants to the 2nd Asia Parks Congress.

Malaysia, particularly Sabah is proud and honoured to host this significant Congress in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from May 24 to 29,2022 at the Sabah lnternational Convention Centre.

The 2nd Asia Parks Congress will be a landmark event as it will be the first regional conservation event following the new Global Biodiversity Framework's adoption. lt will be a great opportunity to discuss post-2020 biodiversity targets and how Asia can help achieve them. It will also contribute to developing the region's protected and conserved areas over the next ten years.

The theme "Parks fon Nature and People" is timely as it will highlight the numerous links between nature and societies. Building on the success of the first Asia Parks Congress in Sendai, Japan in 2013, the second Asia Parks Congress will be a remarkable opportunity to demonstrate the ASIA region's commitment to combating the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

On behalf of the State Government of Sabah, I wish to express my gratitude to the IUCN lnternational Steering Committee on the 2nd Asia Parks Congress and to the National Government of Malaysia for all the support rendered to us to ensure the success of this Congress." - YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor

"As the Sabah State Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Environment, I would like to express my most profound gratefulness for the opportunity to patron the 2nd Asia Parks Congress, which will be held on 24-29 May 2022, at the Sabah International Convention Centre, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. It is the first of its kind in Sabah, Malaysia, and certainly will be a highly remarkable history. My Ministry and its departments and agencies, especially Sabah Parks, are committed to the success of the Congress. I want to express my advanced appreciation to the IUCN for selecting Kota Kinabalu Sabah as a venue for the 2nd Asia Parks Congress.

I am aware of the outcome of the recent COP26 held at Glasgow, which reflects and marked the interests and essential steps adopted by almost 200 countries to solve the alarming impact of climate change. The 2nd Asia Parks will not instantly solve any climate change issues, but certainly, a significant step that recognises the global climate emergency and moving forward to strengthen and implement crucial initiatives. The COP26 recognised the alarming and utmost concern of human activities, which have caused around 1.1°C of global warming to date, and that impacts are already being felt in every region. Countries of ASIA as parties recognise that climate change should not rise beyond 1.5°C. Hence, it is our duty to ensure the risk is mitigated.

Together, let us move forward and continuously build our steps to combat biodiversity loss and climate change. Hence, in this message, I express my genuine urges to all fellow countries of ASIA, particularly parks, protected and conserved areas based governments departments and agencies, practitioners, scientists, NGOs, youths and local indigenous communities, to attend and ensure the success of the Congress and prepare a comprehensive and inclusive motion to the upcoming World Park Congress.

We, "Sabah Land Below the Wind", welcome and look forward to meeting you at the Congress. I wish you all a safe journey and stay safe." -YB Datuk Jafry Hj. Ariffin

"The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), through the Asia regional secretariat, is honoured to welcome participants to the 2nd Asia Parks Congress (APC) in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah from May 24 to 29, 2022.

IUCN is proud to co-host this landmark event, together with Sabah Parks and the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). The Congress theme - “Parks for Nature and People” - underscores the many connections between nature and society, and the critical role of protected areas in supporting biodiversity and human well-being.

The 2nd APC builds on the success of the first Asia Parks Congress held in 2013 in Sendai, Japan; it takes stock of progress in knowledge, actions and outcomes over the last decade. Together, we will renew our commitment, forge and strengthen alliances, and chart strategic directions towards a future in which protected areas are fully recognised for their contributions to human progress, and people are living in harmony with nature.

I am confident that the hybrid nature of the programme - on-site and virtual - will offer a wide range of learning and networking opportunities to all participants. And for those joining in-person, the visit to the beautiful and historic city of Kota Kinabalu will surely enhance the overall Congress experience.

Selamat datang ke APC2!"-Dr. Dindo Campilan

"The IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas extends a very warm welcome to all participants at the 2nd Asia Parks Congress, generously hosted by Sabah Parks.

Across Asia, we have some of the world’s most rich and diverse regions for biodiversity. The region’s many biodiversity hotspots contain not only some of the world’s most iconic animals but also a host of unique species found nowhere else in the world.

However, biodiversity is at risk not just regionally but also globally, and there’s an urgent need to halt and reverse the degradation of species and ecosystems that are vital to human well-being and planetary health. Protected and conserved areas play a hugely important role in securing the biological and cultural heritage of this region for future generations.

2022 is an extremely important year for biodiversity with the impending adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework - setting an ambitious agenda for biodiversity conservation for the next 10 years and beyond. The 2nd Asia Parks Congress is a unique opportunity to showcase successful conservation models, building on experiences to prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.

On behalf of the World Commission on Protected Areas, I am delighted to invite you all to attend this significant event, contributing your experiences and coming together to build momentum toward a strengthened, collective commitment toward the recovery of nature."-Dr. Madhu Rao