QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) launched on Friday, August 6,  the ASEAN Green Initiative (AGI), a recognition scheme for national agencies, communities, organizations, and individuals with tree planting projects in the region.

With the support of the European Union and German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the AGI aims to plant 10 million trees across 10 ASEAN countries in a span of 10 years.

This initiative demonstrates regional cooperation to restore and promote the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems and the use of nature-based solutions to combat desertification.

Pursuant to the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025, the program is also expected to halt biodiversity loss, halt and reverse land degradation, and respond to climate change through community engagement and public outreach.

Moreover, the AGI will contribute to strengthening environmental linkages within cities, particularly between urban, peri-urban, and rural areas.

Organizations intending to conduct tree planting initiatives from 2021 to 2030 should be nominated to make their projects qualify as part of the AGI. (MTQ/PIA-IDPD)