Known as one of the most biologically and culturally diverse regions in the world, Southeast Asia is home to almost 20 per cent of plant and animal species and a third of the coastal and marine habitats on the planet. However, the region remains highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and emerging diseases.  

 

Acknowledging this wealth and diversity of biodiversity, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has established platforms to address issues related to its protection. Being one of the fastest regional economies in the world, the ASEAN Member States (AMS) have adopted a roadmap to ensure that the region’s rich biological resources are sustainably managed toward enhancing social, economic, and environmental well-being through the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework.

 

Central to the region’s biodiversity goal is to improve conservation networks for marine, terrestrial and inland water areas, including freshwater ecosystems. Within ASEAN, mechanisms, such as the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, that facilitate support to monitor and operationalise biodiversity commitments are in place. Additionally, exchanges and discussions within the region in light of the upcoming finalisation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) have emphasised the importance of shared goals, realistic targets and indicators, and the mechanisms that need to be established to fully operationalise such ambitious yet realistic framework

 

Taking stock of the lessons from the past, the ASEAN has carved a clearing to tread in strengthening the engagement of other sectors to achieve the common vision of living in harmony with nature. Increasing cross-sectoral synergies in the health, agriculture, and financial sectors are envisioned to augment existing and create new opportunities in knowledge management, technology transfer, communication, and resource mobilisation for biodiversity in the region.

 

Objectives

 

Under the umbrella of the COP 15 theme: Ecological Civilization-Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth, the side event will engage key policymakers from the ASEAN Members States to highlight progress in achieving biodiversity goals in the ASEAN region, including challenges and innovative solutions to contribute to the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

 

Specifically, the side event will:

 

1. share highlights of the Third Edition of the ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook;

2. share lessons learned and experiences ion regional collaborations, particularly in synthesising the progress made by the AMS to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets; and

3. establish actionable ways forward on further strengthening cross-sectoral and regional cooperation in achieving the 2050 vision of living in harmony with nature