A key theme of “Resilience in the Tropics” will underpin expert presentations and discussion when the second Future of Tropical Economies Conference (FTEC) is held in Cairns later this year.
Presented by Cairns Regional Council and James Cook University (JCU), the 2016 conference program will launch tomorrow to coincide with the inaugural International Day of the Tropics (29 June).
Cairns Regional Council Mayor, Bob Manning said, “The declaration of this day by the United Nations recognises the global significance of the tropics – a region of 122 countries with extraordinary biological, cultural and socio-political diversity.
“The tropical region is growing 20 percent faster than the rest of the world; it accounts for 40 percent of the world’s population and is host to around 80 percent of the world’s biodiversity plus much of its language and cultural diversity.
“The tropical zone’s growth, sustainability and resilience are critical to international economic prosperity, and these issues are the central focus of both FTEC 2016 and the new International Day of the Tropics.”
JCU Vice-Chancellor Professor Sandra Harding, who is currently in New York for the UN declaration, said that like the International Day of the Tropics, FTEC 2016 would shine a light on the tremendous potential the tropical zone holds for the world.
Held for the first time in Cairns in 2014, FTEC addresses the challenges for tropical advancement, taking into account cultural, social and environmental issues.
This year’s FTEC will feature a quality line-up of international and Australian speakers – all acclaimed experts in their fields – to highlight the importance of the world’s tropical regions and the challenges they face.
Fittingly, tomorrow is also the anniversary of the launch of the inaugural State of the Tropics report by Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in 2014.
The next State of the Tropics report is due to be released by James Cook University in 2017, with preliminary parts of the report providing discussion points for FTEC.
Professor Harding said the 2017 report would focus on sustainable infrastructure, a theme that had emerged from both FTEC 2014 and the G20 meeting held in Cairns at the same time.
“At a global level, northern Queensland has a great deal of expertise in the challenge of developing sustainable infrastructure for the tropics,” she said. “As a developed economy in the tropical zone, we have world-leading expertise in areas such as science, healthcare, technology, human capital, and environmental management.
“These capabilities are going to be in high demand throughout the tropical world as it continues its exponential growth, presenting enormous opportunities for our region.”
Visit www.tropicaleconomies.com for more information
