Pakistan becomes latest member of sustainable group

The International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR) hosted a flag-raising ceremony Wednesday for its newest member, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

INBAR is an intergovernmental organization that promotes the use of bamboo and rattan for sustainable development. It is composed of member states from around the world. Pakistan officially joined on July 1, becoming the organization's 48th member, and the 16th from the Asia-Pacific region.

Speaking at the flag-raising ceremony, Moin ul Haque, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to China, said that bamboo's wider application across many industries is helping protect precious timber resources.

He also expressed his hope that bamboo and rattan could become key elements of Pakistan's sustainable development, and play a role in initiatives like the country's Ten Billion Tree Tsunami project.