BOOKMARKS
ACB and PEMSEA to Promote Coastal and Marine Biodiversity Conservation in Southeast Asia
T
he ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) signed a Letter of Cooperation (LoC) on 13 August 2009 to formalize their partnership in promoting the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine biodiversity and resources in the Seas of East Asia. “Joining hands with PEMSEA on this endeavor is an important activity of the Centre as the partnership is in line with our goal of working with various groups and sectors to promote biodiversity conservation in the ASEAN region,” Mr. Rodrigo U. Fuentes, executive director of ACB, said. “The rich biodiversity that exists in the Seas of East Asia is far too valuable to be ignored. The partnership with ACB opens new doors for collaboration and for the sharing of expertise and experiences in attaining our shared vision of achieving sustainable development of coastal and marine resources,” said Prof. Raphael P. M. Lotilla, Executive Director of PEMSEA. Supported by the Global Environment Facility, with the United Nations Development Programme as Implementing Agency, PEMSEA facilitates a partnership arrangement among the stakeholders of the Seas of East Asia to implement the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA).
help them to preserve their native traditions and skills. He also invites lowlanders to visit the mountains and jungles for them to appreciate its beauty and importance. He intones that while they consider it a duty to protect nature, saving the environment requires the participation of both the government and the citizenry. Inciong reveals that the first Tribal
ACB Executive Director Rodrigo U. Fuentes (seated, right) and PEMSEA Executive Director Prof. Raphael P.M. Lotilla (seated, left) signed the Letter of Cooperation between the two organizations. ACB Capacity Development Specialist Dr. Monina Uriarte (standing, right) and PEMSEA Programme Officer Ms. Kazumi Wakita (standing, left) witnessed the signing ceremonies.
The two international organizations will participate in joint or complementary capacity development initiatives and other events related to the sustainable development and conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity resources and areas. “We will also explore opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation in implementing an integrated approach to biodiversity conservation using regional and global multilateral environment agreements as frameworks and platforms for multi-sectoral cooperation, and continuously support common advocacy efforts within the bounds of PEMSEA’s and ACB’s mandates,” Fuentes said. Information exchange is another area of collaboration between ACB and PEM-
SEA. They will establish and maintain an information exchange and awareness campaign that will promote their respective mandates and activities. An initial activity is co-publishing an issue of Tropical Coasts Magazine focusing on Food Security. “ACB will also co-convene a workshop on Marine Protected Areas at the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress 2009 to be held on 23 to 27 November 2009 in Manila,” Prof. Lotilla said. Set to benefit from the partnership are the millions of people in the ASEAN region who depend on coastal and marine resources for food, livelihood, and other services.
Games in actuality is a preparatory stage for 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity. In that celebration, the games is envisioned to draw the participation of the ASEAN Members States that include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam via their respective Olympic committees.
Tamayo cautions that mankind no longer enjoys the luxury of time when it comes to saving the environment and biodiversity He is resolute in his belief that the world can learn the proper stewardship of nature from the indigenous peoples. On this he gave a parting shot, “We are the ones who messed up the planet, not them.” – The Manila Times ASEAN BIODIVERSITY
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