Partner: GIZ
Cost: EUR 5,000,000
Duration: 2015 – 2019
Life and survival of up to 600 million people depend directly or indirectly on the preservation of biodiversity in the ASEAN region. As ecosystems and the environmental services they provide are increasingly threatened, a comprehensive regional strategy is needed supported by enhanced human and institutional capacity.
The ASEAN region boasts of accommodating approximately 18% of the species of the Earth; 3 of the mega biodiversity countries; about 35% of the global mangrove forests; and 30% of the coral reefs. Over 600 million depend on natural resources for food, health and livelihood. However, the existence of biodiversity and key ecosystems and associated environmental services are under strong and increasing pressure. Existing national protection strategies fall short, and for that reason, a region-wide strategy is crucial.
In response to this, the ASEAN has created the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) to facilitate cooperation and coordination among the 10 AMS for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of such natural treasures.
Similar to other regions, the task to develop regional approaches is highly complex and requires sufficient financial, institutional, organizational and technical resources. Within this context the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports ACB in the fulfillment of its mandate through the joint implementation of the project Institutional Strengthening of the Biodiversity Sector in the ASEAN (ISB).
For more info: Institutional Strengthening of the Biodiversity Sector in the ASEAN (ISB) | ACB | ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (aseanbiodiversity.org)