The International Network of Bamboo and Rattan hosted a forum on Monday in a bid to create a platform for collaboration and promoted the utilization of bamboo as an effective option for a sustainable future in Africa.

The forum, In the Bamboo for South-South and Trilateral Cooperation in Africa, was held at the Embassy of Ghana in Beijing. Representatives from several African countries, potential investors and funding agencies came together for dialogue and an exchange of ideas to explore opportunities in bamboo development in Africa.

The International Network of Bamboo and Rattan, or INBAR, established in 1997, is a multilateral development organization to find and demonstrate innovative ways of using bamboo and rattan while protecting the environment and biodiversity, and alleviating poverty.

"Bamboo is an indigenous African species present throughout most of the continent. INBAR's technical and policy assistance can help African countries fully tap the benefits of their existing bamboo resources," said Anani Demuyakor, the ambassador of the Republic of Ghana and the vice chair representative of the INBAR Council.

"Ghana has benefited tremendously from its membership in INBAR. INBAR has helped to set up the Bamboo and Rattan Development Program within the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, creating approximately 15,000 jobs," he said.

Wang Chunfeng, deputy director general of the State Forestry Administration of China, said China is active in promoting South-South cooperation and increasing support to Africa. That is based on an earlier announcement on the establishment of the South-South Climate Cooperation Fund and the provision of $60 billion to ensure the smooth implementation of A 10-Point Plan in Africa in Paris and Johannesburg in 2015, respectively.

These initiativesare providing new opportunities for expanding bamboo development in the African continent, he said.