This conference (20-23 July, 1992) was conducted in order to gather ideas to compose a strategy for Indonesian flora conservation within the broader context of Asian tropical plant conservation. The papers reproduced here explore the potential role of both the public and private sectors in plant conservation. The experience of botanic gardens in China, Japan, India, Singapore and Indonesia are highlighted alongside contributions from their counterpart institutions in Australia, UK, Netherlands, USA and Latin America. Specific articles focus on mangrove, palm, banana, bamboo, nutmeg and sugarcane research, among other species.