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APRIL Joins UNEP to Recognize Global Leaders of Environmental Protection
APRIL Joins UNEP to Recognize Global Leaders of Environmental Protection
Published 04-07-06
Submitted by Asia Pacific Resources International Ltd (APRIL)
These Awards are presented by UNEP to outstanding environmental achievers and leaders who have made a significant contribution, regionally and globally, to the protection and sustainable management of the Earth's environment and natural resources. This year's winners are Mikhail Gorbachev of the Russian Federation, Professor Tommy Koh of Singapore, Massoumeh Ebtekar, Iran's first female vice-president, Tewolde Gebre Egziabher of Ethiopia, Rosa Elena Simeon Negrin of Cuba, the Women's Environment and Development Organisation, and Mohamed-El Ashry of Egypt.
"Partnering with the UNEP for the Champions of the Earth Awards is a further confirmation of our commitment to conservation and sustainability, as these are the principles we uphold in our business," said Mr A J Devanesan, President and COO of APRIL. "We hope that by helping to recognize the work of these environmental champions we will be able to inspire more people to step forward and help protect our precious resources."
APRIL is committed to sustainability by developing fiber plantations that conserve environmental values, drive economic development, and help empower local people. In the concession land under its care, the company protects all areas that are assessed to have high conservation value, including biodiversity sites, wildlife corridors and sites with significant cultural, religious and/or community value.
Shafqat Kakakhel, UNEP's Deputy Executive Director and Officer in Charge, said: "If we are to achieve the Millennium Development Goals on everything from reducing poverty up to supplying safe and sufficient amount of drinking water, and if we are to hand over a planet that is able to sustain and support future generations, it is vital that we engage all sectors of society including business and industry--so we welcome APRIL's involvement in the Champions of the Earth programme".
The Champions of the Earth Awards ceremony will be held in Singapore on April 21, 2006. More information about the program is available at www.unep.org/champions/.
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About Champions of the Earth (www.unep.org/champions).
The Champions of the Earth award, a new international environment award first presented in 2005, is presented by UNEP each year to outstanding environmental achievers and leaders. No monetary reward is attached to the prize, which is meant to publicize and encourage the worldwide replication of the achievements of the Champions of the Earth. Each laureate receives a trophy especially designed by the Kenyan sculptor Kioko and made of recycled metal. The trophy represents the fundamental elements for life on Earth - sun, air, land and water.
About APRIL (www.aprilasia.com)
APRIL, with offices in Singapore and operations in Indonesia and China, is a leading producer of fiber, pulp and paper. APRIL operates one of the world's largest pulp mills with an annual production capacity of 2,000,000 tonnes in Indonesia. The company is committed to protecting the natural resources in its care through sustainable management of its mills and plantation operations to benefit its stakeholders, both now and in the future.
For more information, contact:
Nick Nuttall,UNEP Spokeseperson, on Tel: 254 20 623084, Mobile: 254 733 632755, E-mail: nick.nuttall@unep.org
If there is no prompt response, please contact Elisabeth Waechter, UNEP Associate Information Officer, on Tel: 254 20 623088, Mobile: 254 720 173968, E-mail: elisabeth.waechter@unep.org
APRIL: Lucy Jasmin, Head of APRIL's Corporate Communications, Tel: +62 761 499113.
E-mail: lucy_jasmin@aprilasia.com
Cindy Lim, Corporate Communications Manager (Singapore), Tel: +65 6216 9331
E-mail: cindy_lim@aprilasia.com
Lois Ho, Senior Account Executive, Edelman PR (Singapore), Tel: +65 733 1110
Email: lois.ho@edelman.com
Asia Pacific Resources International Ltd (APRIL)
Asia Pacific Resources International Ltd (APRIL)
