MINISTERS AGREE TO CONTINUE EFFORTS IN PRESERVING ECOSYSTEM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- Ministers of four countries responsible for BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asean Growth Area)tropical rainforests and coral reefs today agreed to continue efforts to protect these delicate ecosystems.

They also agreed to implement various strategies in conservation,
sustainable forest and marine resource management, protection of endangered species as well as in mitigating climate change so as to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes for the people in the sub-region.

The agreement was reached at the BIMP-EAGA Ministerial Conference on the Heart of Borneo and Coral Reefs in Temburong Brunei today, according to a statement releaded by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment here Wednesday.

Malaysia was represented by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Maximus Ongkili, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Douglas Uggah Embas and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

Brunei was represented by Minister of Industry and Primary Resources, Pehin Yahya and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pehin Lim Jock Seng, Indonesia by its Minister of Indonesia, Zulkifli Hassan and the Philippines by the Chair of the Mindanao Development Authority, Luwalhati Antonino.