Promotion of MPA's in ASEAN Approved by Conference of Parties; PEMSEA recognized for ICM work

MANILA, PHILIPPINES— The resolution submitted by the Government of the Philippines called  “Promoting Marine Protected Area Networks in the ASEAN region” has been approved during the 12th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP12) during a meeting recently held in Manila. This is the first time the COP was held in Asia.

 

The draft Resolution proposes the development and management of marine protected area networks within the ASEAN region to improve marine biodiversity conservation of coastal and marine ecosystems. It acknowledges that globally important marine and coastal biodiversity in the East and Southeast Asia region are currently facing complex threats like habitat change, sea level rise and other impacts of climate change, over exploitation and pollution.

 

The Resolution recognizes that most of the countries in ASEAN would have to strengthen the implementation of their NBSAPs through “the application of ICM as a process-oriented, holistic, science and ecosystem-based management system and driver for strengthening public and private sector commitments and investments in biodiversity conservation.” The resolution further “… urges Parties  and Non-Parties to collaborate with existing region-wide networks which includes the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA), the Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI), the ASEAN Working Groups on National Conservation and Biodiversity (NCB), Coastal and Marine Environment (CME), Climate Change (CC) and mechanisms associated with ASEAN State Officials for Environment (ASOEN) and various other national and regional programs that promote the establishment of marine protected area networks.”
 

The CMS COP is a triennial summit that brings together over 500 delegates from more than 120 countries. The theme of the conference for this year “Their Future is Our Future- Sustainable Development for Wildlife and People” reflects the intrinsic link between the world’s wildlife and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

To read the full copy of the resolution, click here.