BARC in Beijing: Reflections on 25 Years

Bamboo and Rattan Update Volume 3 Issue 4

2022 was a banner year for bamboo and rattan. On 7 November 2022, the 25^th anniversary of INBAR and the Second Global Bamboo and Rattan Congress (BARC 2022) convened in Beijing, elevating bamboo and rattan to the global stage. This special issue of BRU commemorates the event, highlighting major moments from the Congress while summarizing the main outputs.

• EDITORIAL

In this quarter’s edition, editors highlight the main events of BARC 2022, from an august Opening Ceremony featuring messages from heads of state, intergovernmental leaders, an Ambassadors’ Dialogue with country-level representatives, the official launch of the Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic Initiative, and Keynote Speeches from pioneers in their fields, to enlightening Parallel Sessions held on the second day.

• LEADERS RE-AFFIRM THE VALUE OF BAMBOO AND RATTAN 

Heads of state from Cameroon, China, Ecuador and Ethiopia send in congratulatory messages, alongside organization chiefs from UN DESA, FAO, UNIDO and IFAD.

• BAMBOO TO REPLACE PLASTICS  

New initiative co-launched by China and INBAR set to harness the potential of bamboo to alleviate plastic pollution while mitigating climate change.

• AMBASSADORS’ DIALOGUE 

Ambassadors from Cameroon, Panama, Ecuador, Ethiopia and FAO Representative to China shared respective lessons and perspectives on how to foster a regulatory environment and proper incentive structures for replacing plastics with bamboo.

• KEYNOTE SPEECHES 

Presentations introduced INBAR’s new plastic substitution initiative, FAO best practices on restorative and systematic land management, carbon neutrality and afforestation efforts, and the role of engineered bamboo in sustainability and recycling schemes.

Also featured:

INTERNODE   |   INBAR SPOTLIGHT   |   IN NUMBERS   |   PHOTO EXHIBITIONS   |   IN REVIEW   |   EVENTS | A PICTURE IN 100 WORDS

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About Bamboo and Rattan Update

Bamboo and Rattan Update is a magazine dedicated to sharing the latest high-quality research and news about the bamboo and rattan sector. It is published by the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR).

Bamboo and rattan are two of the world’s most valuable non-timber forest products. These plants can be a critical part of more sustainable development. Bamboo and Rattan Update provides a platform for policy makers, researchers and development practitioners to showcase their news, research and activities from across the world.

Established in 2020, Bamboo and Rattan Update publishes four times a year, in March, June, September and December. The editorial team welcomes submissions on a range of topical, fresh topics with an emphasis on sustainable development, including:

• Key messages on bamboo and rattan’s contribution to the SDGs;
• Summaries of conferences or events about bamboo and rattan across the world;
• Best practices, pilot projects and profiles of successful initiatives, companies and people which are using bamboo and rattan in new ways, scaling up their use, or raising awareness;
• New research and applications into bamboo and rattan’s uses, with a focus on sustainable development initiatives.

Authors wishing to submit content should send a 100-summary of their intended article to bru-magazine@inbar.int. Authors must bear in mind the editorial guidelines when preparing their submission.