International organization for bamboo and rattan: multilateral agreement

Plain language summary

The International Bamboo and Rattan Organisation (INBAR) is an independent intergovernmental organisation dedicated to improving the social, economic, and environmental benefits for producers and users of bamboo and rattan, while maintaining a sustainable resource base by supporting innovative research and development.

Canada is one of the nine founding members and has been supporting INBAR since its inception in 1993.

Objective

INBAR’s key objective is to demonstrate how bamboo and rattan can help communities and individuals adapt to the negative impacts of climate change. INBAR is also active in promoting empowerment of women in its efforts.  

Key elements

With its Secretariat based in Beijing, China, and with regional offices in Ecuador, India, Ghana and Ethiopia, INBAR connects a global network of partners from the government, private, and not-for-profit sectors, through a shared agenda for advancement of sustainable development and green growth through cultivation and use of bamboo and rattan.

The supreme governing organ of INBAR is a Council of representatives of the sovereign states that are signatories to the INBAR treaty. All major policies and decisions are ratified by the Council.

The Board of Trustees has the task of developing appropriate policies, overseeing management and ensuring efficient operations.

INBAR’s Director General is appointed to implement policy decisions and to organize and implement the agreed programme of work.

Expected results

INBAR aims to further improve the lives of the people whose livelihood depends on bamboo and rattan, and to develop a broad portfolio of tested solutions to development challenges using this renewable resource.

Canada’s involvement

Canada was integral to the founding of INBAR as the organization evolved out of an informal network of bamboo and rattan researchers, set up in 1984 by the International Development Research Centre(IDRC). INBAR became an independent intergovernmental organisation in 1997. The Canadian International Development Agency provided financial assistance to INBAR up to 2008. Environment and Climate Change Canada took over the responsibility of INBAR in 2010.

Results / progress

Activities

INBAR’s work is focused on five main areas: climate change, environmental sustainability, poverty alleviation, sustainable construction, and trade development.

INBAR seeks to optimise and adapt development models in order to accommodate local resources, products, markets, cultures, financing, and policy through: demonstration projects, training and advocacy, policy advice and research, and, product and market innovation.

Reports

INBAR produces a wide range of publications including working papers, proceedings, technical reports, news magazines, and corporate documents (i.e. annual reports and strategy documents) on bamboo and rattan-related topics.

Results

After more than 15 years of successful operations, INBAR has developed a unique role in finding and demonstrating innovative ways of using bamboo and rattan to alleviate poverty and protect the environment and biodiversity.

Several INBAR’s projects and research relates to the mitigation and adaptation benefits of bamboo and rattan that support international climate change efforts and strengthened the capacity of developing countries to adapt to climate change.