YAOUNDE, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The first Africa Bamboo and Rattan Congress (ABARC) opened in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde on Wednesday to discuss on how bamboo and rattan could contribute to sustainable development.
The three-day conference is organized by the government of Cameroon in partnership with the International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR).
Bamboo and rattan provide countries and development partners with a wealth of practical solutions to climate change. If they are recognized as strategic resources in national strategies and international initiatives, it will contribute to reduce the negative effects that changing climate patterns have on millions of rural communities, Rene Kaam, Central African Regional Director of INBAR told Xinhua at the start of the conference.
"The goal of the conference is to introduce some of bamboo and rattan's most relevant benefits for Africa to spread awareness and help more countries to make the best use of their bamboo and rattan resources for sustainable development. In the era of climate change, building a green and circular economy is critical for the economy and environment. Bamboo has proven itself as a green and renewable material of the future," Kaam said.
Established in 1997, INBAR is an intergovernmental development organisation that promotes environmentally sustainable development using bamboo and rattan. It is currently made up of 48 member states, including 20 from Africa. ■