Latest news with #FMP
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Apec finance ministers to unveil new roadmap to replace Cebu Action Plan in October
KUALA LUMPUR: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) finance ministers will launch a new roadmap to replace the Cebu Action Plan this October. Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying said the new roadmap will define the priorities of the Apec Finance Ministers' Process (FMP) over the next five years. 'It will identify the FMP's medium-term initiatives and deliverables towards the achievement of Apec's Putrajaya Vision 2040 of an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community,' she said in her keynote speech at Abac-Asean BAC APFF 2025 Southeast Asia Conference: Financing Asean's Development Priorities today. She emphasised the need for Asean members to actively participate in Apec discussions and decisions, especially as the forum prepares its new roadmap. 'It is critical for Asean members to work together within Apec to ensure that our common priorities in Southeast Asia are well-embedded in this new Asia-Pacific roadmap and that initiatives in Asean and Apec are consistent with each other and mutually supportive,' she said. Lim said new business models and technology carry risks that are still not yet fully understood today. 'Enabling their safe and effective deployment would also require legal, policy and regulatory reforms, changes in industry practices and collaborative efforts to educate consumers, industry practitioners and regulators.' Responding to these challenges and opportunities, she said, will require stronger regional financial cooperation. 'At the same time, it will also require closer collaboration between the public and private sectors.' In this context, Lim said, the Apec and Asean processes have a critical role to play in providing platforms for action among members and for enhanced government and regulatory engagement with the private sector. She said new business models and rapid advances in technology can help in redesigning finance to better serve micro- small and medium enterprises and marginalised consumers. 'These include digital technologies like blockchain, AI and quantum computing. They include new products such as crypto and tokenised assets and digital currencies.' Meanwhile, Asean-BAC Malaysia chairman Tan Sri Nazir Razak said Asean has long talked about deeper economic integration but progress has been slow or repeatedly delayed. 'Echoing Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's remark that the bloc faces its moment of truth, it must step up or risk losing relevance. Unfortunately, we have heard similar words before. I hope this time we really move ahead with integrating our economies,' he said. Nazir noted that execution has been lacking not only from governments, but also from the private sector. 'The private sector has also fallen short. Are we doing the deals we should be doing – in partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, supply chains and trade? I don't think so.' He highlighted that intra-Asean trade and investments remain low as a percentage of total trade and investments. 'The surge in regional Asean companies of the late 2000s has slowed. Are we fulfilling our potential in attracting investors to Asean?' Nazir said the bloc is not trying to model itself after the European Union, noting that Asean functions best through small, concrete steps, not grand, unachievable sound bites. 'The good news is that we now have a much clearer understanding of what Asean can and should realistically achieve.'
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
APEC Finance Ministers to launch new roadmap in October
KUALA LUMPUR: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers will unveil a new roadmap this October to replace the Cebu Action Plan, setting out priorities for the Finance Ministers' Process (FMP) over the next five years, said Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying. She said the roadmap would outline medium-term initiatives and deliverables under the FMP, aimed at advancing APEC's Putrajaya Vision of an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community. 'It is critical for ASEAN members to work together within APEC, to ensure that our common priorities in Southeast Asia are well-embedded in this new Asia-Pacific roadmap and that initiatives in ASEAN and APEC are consistent with each other and mutually supportive,' she said. Lim was speaking during her keynote address at a joint forum by the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), and the Asia-Pacific Financial Forum (APFF) today.
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
APEC Finance Ministers to launch new roadmap in Oct
KUALA LUMPUR: Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers will unveil a new roadmap this October to replace the Cebu Action Plan, setting out priorities for the Finance Ministers' Process (FMP) over the next five years, said Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying. She said the roadmap would outline medium-term initiatives and deliverables under the FMP, aimed at advancing APEC's Putrajaya Vision of an open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful Asia-Pacific community. 'It is critical for ASEAN members to work together within APEC, to ensure that our common priorities in Southeast Asia are well-embedded in this new Asia-Pacific roadmap and that initiatives in ASEAN and APEC are consistent with each other and mutually supportive,' she said. Lim was speaking during her keynote address at a joint forum by the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), and the Asia-Pacific Financial Forum (APFF) today.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
A Plan To Restore Biodiversity On Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill
Press Release – Queenstown Lakes District Council QLDC General Manager Community & Services Ken Bailey said that its important to understand if the community support the proposed plan for this well-loved reserve, which is part of a wider plan to protect our districts landscapes and native biodiversity. Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is encouraging the community to share their thoughts on a draft Forestry Management Plan (FMP) for Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Reserve which is now open for consultation. The draft plan proposes to remove all wilding tree species on the reserve and replant the site with a mixed native/exotic forest and scrub/tussock grassland. QLDC General Manager Community & Services Ken Bailey said that it's important to understand if the community support the proposed plan for this well-loved reserve, which is part of a wider plan to protect our district's landscapes and native biodiversity. 'The draft FMP guides the staged removal of invasive wilding trees and supports the restoration of a healthy, diverse forest. It assesses the current tree cover and site conditions, and outlines options for harvesting wilding trees and the new plants that will replace them,' said Mr Bailey. 'The forestry plan developed in 2006 for Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill is now outdated and no longer fit-for-purpose, so the Parks team have prepared a new plan which applies solely to Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill.' Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Reserve has become progressively dominated by wilding conifers over the past 60+ years. These trees are an invasive pest species, acting as a seed source and facilitating their spread elsewhere in the Whakatipu basin. Parks Planning Manager Briana Pringle said that if left uncontrolled, wilding conifers impact the surrounding environment through loss of biodiversity, degradation of soil quality, increased risk of seed spread, changes to landscape, and increased risk of wildfire. 'The draft plan proposes a staged replanting programme in three zones comprising of native trees, mixed native and exotic trees, and grey tussock and shrubland species,' said Ms Pringle. 'Restoring the central area of the reserve with a mixture of native and exotic species will enhance ecological diversity and ensure that much of the aesthetic is retained. Planting non-invasive exotics like redwood, cedar, elm and ash will ensure that canopy cover is achieved more quickly, which in turn will minimise the risk of erosion and land instability,' she said. The removal of wilding conifers and the replanting on reserve land will affect recreational experiences, trails, the visual landscape, neighbouring properties, and natural hazards; all while reducing wildfire risk and enhancing biodiversity. 'While there's no funding currently in the QLDC Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-2034 to implement the draft FMP, it's important that we have an agreed plan in place that reflects the community's long-term vision and takes into account the impacts of the proposed harvest and replanting of the site, said,' Mr Bailey. 'Ultimately the draft plan aims to help restore biodiversity and ecology in the Whakatipu basin, enhance how people use this space, and ensure it flourishes for future generations to enjoy. This aligns strongly with Council's commitment in its draft Climate and Biodiversity Plan 2025-2028', he said. The draft Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill FMP, a range of supporting material and a submission form are available to view online at and in person at QLDC's offices and library at 10 Gorge Road. QLDC's Parks team will also be hosting three community drop-in sessions in June in Queenstown and Frankton for those keen to discuss the draft plan. Submissions close on Sunday 6 July. Once they've been collated and reviewed and people have had the opportunity to speak at a public hearing on 21 July, all submissions will be considered by the hearing panel and used to make final changes to the draft FMP. This will then be presented to Full Council for adoption on 4 September.
Scoop
05-06-2025
- General
- Scoop
A Plan To Restore Biodiversity On Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill
Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is encouraging the community to share their thoughts on a draft Forestry Management Plan (FMP) for Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Reserve which is now open for consultation. The draft plan proposes to remove all wilding tree species on the reserve and replant the site with a mixed native/exotic forest and scrub/tussock grassland. QLDC General Manager Community & Services Ken Bailey said that it's important to understand if the community support the proposed plan for this well-loved reserve, which is part of a wider plan to protect our district's landscapes and native biodiversity. 'The draft FMP guides the staged removal of invasive wilding trees and supports the restoration of a healthy, diverse forest. It assesses the current tree cover and site conditions, and outlines options for harvesting wilding trees and the new plants that will replace them,' said Mr Bailey. 'The forestry plan developed in 2006 for Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill is now outdated and no longer fit-for-purpose, so the Parks team have prepared a new plan which applies solely to Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill.' Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill Reserve has become progressively dominated by wilding conifers over the past 60+ years. These trees are an invasive pest species, acting as a seed source and facilitating their spread elsewhere in the Whakatipu basin. Parks Planning Manager Briana Pringle said that if left uncontrolled, wilding conifers impact the surrounding environment through loss of biodiversity, degradation of soil quality, increased risk of seed spread, changes to landscape, and increased risk of wildfire. "The draft plan proposes a staged replanting programme in three zones comprising of native trees, mixed native and exotic trees, and grey tussock and shrubland species,' said Ms Pringle. 'Restoring the central area of the reserve with a mixture of native and exotic species will enhance ecological diversity and ensure that much of the aesthetic is retained. Planting non-invasive exotics like redwood, cedar, elm and ash will ensure that canopy cover is achieved more quickly, which in turn will minimise the risk of erosion and land instability,' she said. The removal of wilding conifers and the replanting on reserve land will affect recreational experiences, trails, the visual landscape, neighbouring properties, and natural hazards; all while reducing wildfire risk and enhancing biodiversity. 'While there's no funding currently in the QLDC Long Term Plan (LTP) 2024-2034 to implement the draft FMP, it's important that we have an agreed plan in place that reflects the community's long-term vision and takes into account the impacts of the proposed harvest and replanting of the site, said,' Mr Bailey. 'Ultimately the draft plan aims to help restore biodiversity and ecology in the Whakatipu basin, enhance how people use this space, and ensure it flourishes for future generations to enjoy. This aligns strongly with Council's commitment in its draft Climate and Biodiversity Plan 2025-2028', he said. The draft Te Tapunui Queenstown Hill FMP, a range of supporting material and a submission form are available to view online at and in person at QLDC's offices and library at 10 Gorge Road. QLDC's Parks team will also be hosting three community drop-in sessions in June in Queenstown and Frankton for those keen to discuss the draft plan. Submissions close on Sunday 6 July. Once they've been collated and reviewed and people have had the opportunity to speak at a public hearing on 21 July, all submissions will be considered by the hearing panel and used to make final changes to the draft FMP. This will then be presented to Full Council for adoption on 4 September.
