APEC holds talks on illegal logging

APEC holds talks on illegal logging

JAKARTA: Over 90 participants from 21 members of the Asia
Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) gathered here on Monday
to hold talks on illegal logging.

"The illegal trade of natural resources has disadvantaged the
countries who take part and the real core of the issue is about
supply and demand," the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hassan
Wirayuda, said after opening the seminar.

Hassan said the seminar, which was initiated by Indonesia and
was the first held by APEC members on natural resource issues,
featured biodiversity experts from the United States, Australia,
Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

He hoped it could come up with recommendations and policies
for APEC members of how to balance development concerns with the
preservation of natural resources. -- Antara