The road to the Second Bamboo and Rattan Congress (BARC 2022)

BARC 2022 will focus on bamboo and rattan’s critical role as nature-based solutions for sustainable development.

There has never been a more important time for nature-based solutions. Bamboo, the fast-growing grass plant, and rattan, the spiky climbing palm, are unique forest resources that can play an important role in promoting more environmentally sustainable socio-economic development.

Bamboo and rattan have long been linked with human lives, livelihoods and material cultures, but in recent decades, they have assumed an additional importance — as crucial tools for sustainable development. Over the last few years, INBAR has promoted the use of bamboo and rattan in a number of areas, from developing a green economy, to addressing climate change, building disaster-resilient infrastructure, alleviating poverty, revitalizing rural areas and protecting the environment.

From 7 to 8 November 2022, the Second Bamboo and Rattan Congress (BARC 2022) will bring together people from across the world to discuss these issues and promote bamboo and rattan’s important role in international sustainable development. Also falling on the same year INBAR celebrates its 25^th anniversary, BARC 2022 will be co-hosted in Beijing by INBAR and the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China (NFGA) under the theme “Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Development.” The Congress will include dialogues with high-level policymakers, product exhibitions and parallel sessions centering around four thematic areas:

• The road to carbon neutrality. This thematic area will focus on bamboo’s contributions to mitigating climate change, storing carbon and helping vulnerable communities adapt to climate change. This theme will also include bamboo and rattan’s role in ecosystem and biodiversity restoration as well as forest conservation.
• Green industry and economic recovery. This thematic area will explore how bamboo and rattan can help create environmentally sustainable livelihoods, reduce poverty, revitalize rural areas and build a green economy.
• Innovative materials and market development. How can bamboo and rattan exploit the growing demand for bio-based and low-carbon products and contribute to a circular economy? This thematic area will showcase bamboo and rattan’s more innovative applications, including bamboo alternatives to plastics, timber, steel, concrete and cotton, as well as recent advances in products standards and certification, market access and future trends.
• Working together for inclusive and green development. As a network of Member States mainly from the Global South, INBAR has a wealth of experience in sharing technologies and supporting international cooperation for bamboo and rattan sector development. This area will look at case studies and best practices for sharing knowledge, engaging new stakeholders and building partnerships.

In addition to sessions, BARC 2022 will also include a comprehensive bamboo and rattan products exhibition featuring some of the most exciting and innovative products, crafts and technologies making waves in the sector.

BARC 2022 will build on the achievements of BARC 2018, which was an international meeting that connected stakeholders from over 70 countries, making real steps forward for promoting bamboo and rattan as critical nature-based solutions. BARC 2022 will host representatives from governments, research institutes, international and non-governmental organizations, the private sector and the media, and other stakeholders who wish to learn more about bamboo and rattan’s potential to contribute to their work.

For more information on BARC 2022, including how to register, please visit the BARC 2022 event website.

Featured image: Bamboo of the Yunqi Forest of Hangzhou glowing in the afternoon sunlight.