CM to officiate at 15th peat congress

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Lulie (right) and the IPC secretariat standing next to posters with details of the congress at the Tropical Peat Research Laboratory.

Lulie (right) and the IPC secretariat standing next to posters with details of the congress at the Tropical Peat Research Laboratory.

KUCHING: The upcoming 15th International Peat Congress (IPC) which will be held from Aug 15-19 here will be opened by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem on Aug 16.

The new Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Mah Siew Keong will also be present at the opening ceremony to deliver the ministerial address.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas will be representing the state government during the Peat Gala on Aug 17.

During a press conference held at the Tropical Peat Research Laboratory (TPRL) yesterday, congress general Dr Lulie Melling said the event, which is supported by the state and federal government, is not only a milestone in the history of International Peat Society (IPS) but also that of Sarawak.

“It is the first time the congress is held in Asia, and it will see the biggest participation in 60 years for IPS which was established in 1968 and has the tradition of holding its congress in Europe and North America.

“The congress will also be making history in Sarawak in the sense that it is the first time for a Sarawakian agency to organise an international scientific meeting in the state.”

“Additionally, the scale of the event, in terms of the size of participation and the numbers of papers presented – 200 scientific papers and 200 posters – will also be making headlines,” said Lulie who is the director of TPRL, a research centre under the Chief Minister’s Department.

The theme for the 15th IPC is Peatlands in Harmony – Agriculture, Industry and Nature. The event is hosted by the Malaysian Peat Society (MPS) in partnership with the International Peatland Society.

This prestigious quadrennial congress is also supported by two scientific unions, namely the International Union of Forest Research Organisations (UFRO) and the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS), signifying the credibility of the research work to be presented during the congress.

It has cost RM2.5 million to organise. About 800 individuals have registered. More than half are foreigners.

The registered participants include local and international scientists, policy makers, researchers, non-government organisation (NGO) members, plantation industrial players, students and agriculturists.

“The IPC is not only an excellent platform for the exchange of ideas, data, research findings and experience between researchers and academics of the East and the West, it will also provide a good opportunity for scientists and entrepreneurs to meet to come up with effective ways to utilise peat and peatlands in the tropics without harming the environment,” said Lulie.

She pointed out that it is an event for knowledge-sharing and idea-exchange where new papers would be presented for the first time.

The IPC will cover more than just peat, including science and research, sustainability of forestry, deforestation, government policies, prevention of peat fire, palm oil and oil palm industry and its environmental and social impact, and much more.

“That is why I would like to encourage more participation from the locals. Such an event is usually available only overseas and now we are bringing it to their doorstep. This is a lifetime opportunity to be part of a global event. Sarawakians must make full use of it and register with us,” emphasised Lulie.