As we celebrate this year’s International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB), the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) reaffirms its commitment to catalyse and scale up efforts on biodiversity valuation, conservation, sustainable management, and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the natural wealth of the ASEAN region.
This year’s theme, “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development,” invites us to reflect on and rethink how we interact with our environment. Our well-being, economy, and shared future depend heavily on healthy ecosystems. Biodiversity provides us with clean air, food, water, and shelter, and it supports livelihoods and economies, all of which are essential to our survival.
However, we are losing biodiversity at an alarming rate. Along with climate change and pollution, biodiversity loss forms the triple planetary crisis impacting the lives of billions of people. It also threatens our health, since biodiversity loss is also connected to zoonoses, or the transmission of diseases from wildlife to humans. Recognising this should inspire us to shift and act together to foster a sustainable coexistence with nature, adopting practices that benefit both people and the planet.
For the ACB, this year’s IDB celebration takes on a special tone as the Centre enters its twentieth year. As I take on the leadership of this globally recognised ASEAN Centre for excellence, we reaffirm our shared commitment to building bridges, fostering partnerships, nurturing collaborative initiatives with the ASEAN Member States and our development and dialogue partners in promoting harmony with nature and sustainable development.
As one of the world’s technical and scientific cooperation support centres (TSCs) for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM GBF), the ACB will continue to promote science-based conservation and facilitate demand-driven cooperation and technology transfer among parties to the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) in Asia.
We celebrate this significant day by conducting a number of activities and events for the conservation and sustainable management of ASEAN biodiversity. Some of the highlights of this year’s celebrations include the launch of the IDB microsite featuring ASEAN commemorative events, the launch of the social and environmental standards animated video of a regional marine project, called ASEAN ENMAPS, and the inception workshop of a wetlands and peatlands conservation and restoration project in ASEAN, titled ASEAN EnCORE.
It is a challenging journey ahead, but it is not without hope. As we appreciate and celebrate the richness of our biodiversity, we should remember that working together is the only way forward. We continue to call on everyone—government and non-government organisations, the private sector, Indigenous peoples, local communities, women, and the youth—to be part of the solution together. One way is through the ASEAN Green Initiative. Anchored on a whole-of-society approach, this biodiversity restoration initiative aims to plant at least 10 million native trees across the 10 ASEAN Member States in 10 years, in line with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The youth can also be a part of the ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Programme (AYBP), an initiative spearheaded by the ACB in collaboration with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network. The AYBP aims to empower the youth to contribute to crafting and implementing biodiversity policies. There are many ongoing opportunities for us to work together. Everyone can also join our call for biodiversity conservation in ASEAN by sharing inspiring stories by being part of the #WeAreASEANBiodiversity communication campaign. You may visit our website or follow our social media channels to receive updates and learn more about how we can work together for ASEAN Biodiversity.
Each one has an important role to play. Together, let us forge the path to a sustainable and flourishing future where we all live in harmony with nature.
Happy Biodiversity Day!
On this International Day for Biodiversity, KfW proudly underscores its long-standing commitment to integrating nature conservation with sustainable development. For over twenty years, our expertise in biodiversity finance has allowed us to support innovative projects worldwide. With an active portfolio of nearly EUR 4 billion at the end of 2023—and with around EUR 515 million invested that year in 350 projects —KfW is one of the world’s largest bilateral financiers in this field.
In the ASEAN region, which covers just 3% of the Earth yet harbors 18% of the world’s terrestrial and marine species, natural ecosystems are under increasing threat from overuse, land transformation, and pollution. Recognizing these challenges, KfW supports the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) through its Small Grants Programme (SGP) for Biodiversity Conservation. This initiative takes a participatory, three-tier approach: local investments are planned with communities and NGOs in and around ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs), national cooperation is ensured with government agencies, and a dedicated directorate at the ACB manages regional implementation.
Building on the success of the programme’s first phase in Indonesia and Myanmar, the second phase in Vietnam aims not only to deepen the impact in the existing countries but also to explore promising opportunities in new territories. The Philippines, where the ACB is headquartered and already home to several AHPs, is a prime example. Cambodia and Laos are also being considered, with potential synergies identified alongside other projects—such as the Mekong River Commission initiative in Cambodia that focuses on sustainable watershed management.
A crucial element of the SGP is its close cooperation with experienced partners. KfW actively leverages insights from the GIZ, which already advises the ACB on strengthening ASEAN countries’ resilience against climate change. This collaboration ensures technical competence and robust support for local communities implementing measures such as reforestation, habitat protection, and sustainable land-use planning.
We look forward to continuing our collaboration with ACB to ensure KfW contribution to biodiversity protection in the ASEAN region.
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