PYONGCHANG, South Korea—The environment ministers of the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member-states reiterated their countries’ commitment to biodiversity conservation in a statement read at the ongoing Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The statement was read by Dr. Thet Thet Zin, deputy union minister, Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry, Republic of the Union of Myanmar.
The ministers recognized the important role of Asean’s rich biological diversity in enhancing the region’s economic, political and socio-cultural well-being.
They recalled that Asean has committed to the implementation of the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Targets; and noted the essential role of biodiversity for sustainable development in the development of Sustainable Development Goals. They reaffirmed the significant role of the Asean Centre for Biodiversity in facilitating cooperation and coordination among the members of Asean, and with relevant national governments, regional and international organizations, to implement the three objectives of the CBD in the region.
The ministers also reaffirmed the importance of adequate and timely sustainable financial resources, including the Asean Biodiversity Fund, to implement biodiversity conservation programs of Asean member-states; and noted that the entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the CBD will provide greater legal certainty and transparency for both providers and users of genetic resources. They also noted the importance of capacity building and participation of indigenous and local communities in the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol; and recognized that one of the key challenges in halting biodiversity loss is the greater involvement of a broader stakeholder base beyond environment and conservation practitioners. The ministers reiterated that climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of the present generation that affects biodiversity and economy at the global, regional and national levels; and that the Asean region is vulnerable to changes in climate and the aggravation of natural disasters.
They recognized that inclusive green growth strategies would promote sustainable management practices of industries and reduce the threats to biodiversity; and noted the significant progress of Asean member-states in establishing protected areas, including Asean Heritage Parks as a contribution to the CBD Programme of Work on Protected Areas and Aichi Target 11.
The ministers highlighted the negative impacts of invasive alien species introduced as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, and as live bait and live food, on biodiversity, and the risk of escape and release.
They recognized that biodiversity thrives in cities and urban areas, and enhances the quality of life of urban dwellers and that city and urban dwellers have a significant role in biodiversity conservation.
They acknowledged the Singapore Index on Cities’ Biodiversity as an important tool to evaluate such efforts; and welcomed the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services which provides a mechanism to synthesize, review, assess and critically evaluate relevant information and knowledge on biodiversity, ecosystems and essential services for use by all member-countries of the United Nations.
They also recognized the complementary role of IPBES to the CBD’s Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice in undertaking scientific assessments and in promoting the effective use of science in decision making processes.
The Ministers emphasized the need to sustain the momentum gained through major regional program, including the Asean Heritage Parks, the Asean Wildlife Enforcement Network, the Coral Triangle Initiative, the Greater Mekong Sub-region, the Heart of Borneo, and Sulu Sulawesi Seascape and other key initiatives; and noted the development of the Pyeongchang Roadmap which covers relevant COP decisions to ensure that Parties will achieve the Aichi Targets by 2020.