ASEAN Centre for Biovidersity

The ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) embody the aspirations of the peoples of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam to conserve their natural heritage that represent the bounty and diversity of living organisms of their nations. The abundance of these diverse biological resources also ensures the continuous fl ow of goods and ecosystems services for the benefi t of the present and future generations. Thus, the ASEAN Ministers of the Environment all signed the ASEAN Declaration on Heritage Parks on 18 December 2003, wherein the ASEAN Member States (AMS) agreed that “common cooperation is necessary to conserve and manage the ASEAN Heritage Parks for the development and implementation of regional conservation and management action plans as well as regional mechanisms complementary to national efforts to implement conservation measures”.

A transboundary protected area (TBPA) is an area of land and/or sea that straddles or borders between states, sub-national units such as provinces and regions, autonomous areas and/or areas beyond the limit of national sovereignty or jurisdiction, whose constituent parts are especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed cooperatively through legal or other effective means (IUCN, 2007). A TBPA is a special type of protected areas while a Park for Peace (formally dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and to the promotion of peace and cooperation) is a special type of TBPA. Transboundary cooperative action is seen as a highly strategic means of achieving regional integration and securing landscape-level conservation.

SOUTHEAST ASIA IS well known for its rich marine biodiversity, attributed largely to its abundant coral reefs. Data indicates that Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines form the centre of coral diversity of the world together with Papua New Guinea. The region contains some of the most extensive coastlines and diverse coral reefs in the world but remains the most highly threatened. The proliferation of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the region shows a growing consciousness on the need to deal with the increasing threats leading to the degradation of the coastal and marine resources of the region. An MPA is an area of inter-tidal or sub-tidal terrain, together with its overlying waters and associated flora, fauna, historical and cultural features, which has been reserved by legislation to protect part or the entire enclosed environment (IUCN, 1988).

The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro gave birth to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The three goals of this Convention - conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources - have become prime points on the political agenda of most of the world’s governments. Achieving these goals depends largely on our understanding of biodiversity. Yet, in many countries worldwide, particularly in the tropics, many species remain poorly known or undescribed and unnamed. Taxonomy—the science of describing, naming, and classifying organisms - has also been hampered by the shortage or lack of expertise at the regional and national levels.

The emergence of modern biotechnologies in the areas of agriculture, medicine, and chemistry has been a widely followed topic over the recent years. With these breakthroughscame genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and living modified organisms (LMOs). Proponents of biotechnology underscore in debates the many benefits that these innovations provide to improve the lives of millions of people. On the other side of the arena are those who caution against the potential adverse effects of biotechnology products to the environment and to humans. Such concerns led to the adoption of the Cartagena Protocolon Biosafety in 2000. The Protocol highlights the need to ensure that maximum benefits are reaped from biotechnologies, while minimizing possible risks to humans and the environment. It seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by GMOs and LMOs resulting from modern biotechnology

Ecotourism is a purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and natural history of the environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem while producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources beneficial to local communities. Ecotourism helps educate the traveler and provides funds for conservation. It emphasizes the natural environment as the focus of attraction and the promotion of local culture as essential to conservation.

The Study Tour in Recreation and Ecotourism Sites and Some Selected Protected Areas in Malaysia and Singapore was conducted on 22-28 March 2008. The Study Tour is a continuation of the Regional Workshop on Recreation, Tourism and Ecotourism held on 17-21 March 2008 in Malaysia. The participants were exposed to first-hand experiences on ecotourism management. Study visits to recreation and tourism sites were undertaken to learn from lessons and best practices in ecotourism management and conservation systems from other ASEAN Member States (AMS).

The Capacity Building Series 2 “Management Effectiveness Assessment Workshop” wasjointly implemented by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), Birdlife International, IUCNWCPA SEA, and WWF-International.

The ASEAN Guidelines on Competence Standards for Protected Areas had been developed as a non-prescriptive tool to assist protected area (PA) management authorities, training and educational organizations and conservation projects to improve human resource development, staff performance and training. The ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) endorsed the ASEAN Guidelines and invited the ASEAN MemberStates (AMS) to use the ASEAN Guidelines in assessing competences, developing training and development programmes, and in enhancing job performance.

Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) have existed for thousands of years and may be the oldest form of governance. Community members have established a symbiotic relationshipwith their environment, allowing the land and the surrounding natural resources to shape their lifestyle and livelihood. In the same manner they have also managed to modify their natural environment to suit their daily needs and values taking into consideration the benefits derived from protecting, conserving and enriching the environment.