Editor's Note

Our academic journal, International Review for Environmental Strategies (IGES) was launched in 2000, two years after the establishment of the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES). Coming just before the tenth anniversary of IGES in April 2007, it is my greatest pleasure to be able to deliver the twelfth issue of IRES, featuring Best Practice on Environmental Policy in Asia and the Pacific, consisting of eight papers that together formulate a report on the research project, Research on Innovative and Strategic Policy Options (RISPO I).

The first ten years of IGES have not always been easy. We have constantly been asking ourselves what strategic policy means, and how IGES could contribute to the sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting the regional focus on global environmental issues.

Upholding the spirit of the IGES Charter, our researchers have been trying to integrate academic research results with practical policy suggestions, synthesizing several conventional research disciplines with each other. Maintaining interdisciplinary viewpoints has been crucial, given that almost every aspect of human activity nowadays can be seen in terms of the environment. The results of our efforts may not be immediately obvious, but we are sure that they will help us "make a change" for the betterment of the global environment and for the realization of sustainable societies in this region.

I would also like to acknowledge Dr. Amado Tolentino for the contribution of two essays to this issue of IRES: "The Challenges of Tsunami Disaster Response Planning and Management" and "Wetland Cultural Heritage in the Pacific". In these papers, Ambassador Tolentino calls for an interdisciplinary approach, from local communities to international responses, and substantiates his conclusions from his own broad experience.

Finally, I would also like to thank the readers of IRES who have supported us throughout the twelve issues. IGES, as always, welcomes comments and submissions of articles from the readers of IRES, in order for us to contribute further to sustainable development for future generations.