MANILA -- On its 55th founding anniversary, ASEAN Member States celebrate unity in exemplifying strength to build back a more robust region. The banner theme “Stronger Together” is a callback to the exemplary solidarity fostered by the region as it moves forward to bring more opportunities for all of its citizens.

During the celebration, ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi emphasised the indispensable value of regional collaboration. “As the global linkages become more complex, new solutions are needed by committing more to regional integration and cooperation,” said the Secretary General. Lim Jock Hoi further added that our collective efforts should uphold the principles of open regionalism and unity in the face of evolving regional and global architectures. 

This collective call for the region comes relevant as the global community gears for the finalisation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. 

In this light, two key meetings related to nature conservation and biodiversity are being held around the 55th anniversary of the ASEAN: the 9th ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) Committee Meeting and the 32nd Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (AWGNCB). 

Both discussions aimed to carve pathways towards sustainability and nature-based actions in facing the current challenges of pandemic recovery and climate change.

The 9th AHP Committee Meeting highlighted the addition of more protected areas to the growing list of ASEAN Heritage Parks in the region. To date, 50 sites have been designated as ‘creme of the crop’ protected areas, with Malaysia’s Endau-Rompin Johor National Park set to be the latest designation.

The ASEAN Member States provided guidance on ways forward for regional collaborations during the 32nd AWGNCB Meeting. Taking off from the achievements in engaging the ASEAN youth, a push to progress in strengthening their role in biodiversity was also urged.  

ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) Executive Director Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim highlighted the timeliness of the two meetings.

“We stand at the crossroads. With nature and biodiversity offering possible solutions to the multiple challenges we face today, the decision is upon us to ensure that we work together to protect and sustainably harness the natural wealth of the ASEAN.” 

Lim further added that the region is thankful for ASEAN’s dialogue and development partners, who also heed the call to be “Stronger Together.”

“We thank our esteemed partners in the region, including the European Union, KFW and GIZ, who steadfastly support our initiatives in fortifying our work for biodiversity, along with the benefits that sustain not only the people of ASEAN but the rest of the world.”

Among the initiatives facilitated and implemented by the ACB for the ASEAN region and the AMS is the Biodiversity Conservation and Management of Protected Areas in ASEAN (BCAMP) Project––a demonstration of the robust collaboration between the ASEAN and EU under their 45 years of partnership.

The Philippines, as the current coordinator for the ASEAN-EU partnership, will assume this role until 2024.

Long-standing partnerships such as the EU-ASEAN are vital enablers in fostering solidarity for nature conservation and ecosystem health in the ASEAN region. (ACB)