LOS BAÑOS,
Laguna (PIA) – Association of Southeast Asian
Nations Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn has
reaffirmed his commitment
to preserving the Southeast Asian region’s biodiversity as it emerges from
the Covid-19 pandemic
amidst environmental
challenges.
Dr. Hourn led the
celebration of the 18th
founding anniversary of
the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and ceremonial tree planting held
at its headquarters at the
University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna
on September 10 where
he commended the center
for its crucial role in ASEAN cooperation on environment programs and
biodiversity conservation.
“The ACB is
ASEAN’s own dedicated regional center of excellence on biodiversity.
Since its establishment
back in 2005, ACB has
developed to becoming an
essential and integral part
of ASEAN cooperation on
environment and an effective coordinating body
for the ASEAN Member
States on biodiversity conservation,” Dr. Hourn said.
Citing pandemic recovery and climate
change in the forefront,
the Secretary-General
noted that ASEAN will
need to step up its efforts
to promote nature-based
solutions, best practices,
and greening initiatives.
He added the
relevance of ACB’s work
to meet such objectives
through its flagship programs namely the ASEAN
Heritage Parks (AHPs),
the ASEAN Green Initiative (AGI), and the ASEAN
Youth Biodiversity Program.
Some of the
programs and initiatives
highlighted by the ACB
include the protection and
conservation of 57 ASEAN
heritage parks and AG’s
greening program which
aims to increase tree cover and restore ecosystems
in the 10 ASEAN member
states by planting at least
10 million native trees in
10 years.
The Secretary-General said the
ASEAN member states’
continuing support to the
ACB will guarantee the
protection and enrichment
of forests, wetlands, marine and coastal waters,
and other natural resources for the nearly 700 million people in the region.
“I would like to
call on all ASEAN Member
States, Dialogue Partners,
and External Partners
and friends to continue
extending support to the
ACB. By supporting the
ACB in terms of activities,
programs, and projects, it
means also supporting the
ASEAN community,” emphasized Dr. Hourn.
He added: “Given the growing importance
of the environment in the
context of climate change
and the climate crisis, it is
important for ASEAN and
all of us to support and
advocate what I call biodiversity diplomacy for the
collective and public good
of ASEAN and humanity.”
ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim
Hourn said the ASEAN
member states’ continuing support to the ASEAN
Centre for Biodiversity
(ACB) will guarantee the
protection and enrichment
of forests, wetlands, marine and coastal waters,
and other natural resources for the nearly 700 million people in the region.
(CO/PIA-4A)
For her part, Dr. Theresa
Mundita Lim, ACB Executive Director, said Dr.
Hourn’s six priority programs are aligned with
the mandates of the ACB.
She cited the importance
of cross-sectoral collaboration and stronger working relations between the
ASEAN Secretariat and
the ACB.
The ACB also
encouraged youth participation in environmental
causes, citing their role in
sustaining ASEAN’s programs.
“To the youth
who are joining us here
today, you represent the
vast potential of the next
generation to lead the way
towards a greener future.
It is our fervent hope that
beyond just tree-planting,
the activity today will also
foster greater appreciation
for the value of nature and
how we can all become
better stewards of it,” said
Dr. Lim in her speech.
The ACB also
launched the ASEAN
Youth Biodiversity Program, which provides an
opportunity for youth to
get involved in policy-making, collaborate with other
youth leaders, establish
inclusive projects, and
learn from environmental
mentors and local community immersions.
Dr. Hourn,
the first ASEAN Secretary-General to visit the
ACB since its launch in
2005, also emphasized
the importance of working
together as one in the face
of economic, environmental, and geopolitical challenges in the region.
“Biodiversity is
everyone’s responsibility. The leadership of the
center in terms of coordination and ensuring broad
participation from different
stakeholders, particularly
in the work of biodiversity
conservation and protection, is crucial. We should
not expect that biodiversity will be here forever, and
we should not take it for
granted,” he said
