The Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia Resource Facility (PRF) and ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) solidified their commitment to coastal and oceanic conservation through a partnership announcement held on 7 November at the East Asian Seas (EAS) Congress.
“This renewed partnership reinforces our collective commitment to sustainable marine resource management, resilience, and biodiversity conservation. By leveraging PEMSEA’s expertise in ICM, MSP, and EAFM, this partnership enhances ASEAN’s capacity to meet international biodiversity targets and contribute to the global effort to conserve vital coastal and marine ecosystems,” says ACB Executive Director Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim.
The organizations shall work together through the ACB project entitled Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS), which underscores both organisations’ dedication to the effective management of Southeast Asia’s rich and diverse marine ecosystems.
PRF and ACB already signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the joint implementation of the capacity-building component of the ASEAN ENMAPS Project in October 2024.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the ACB as the executing arm of the project, ASEAN ENMAPS focuses on four Large Marine Ecosystems – the Bay of Bengal, Indonesian Sea, South China Sea and the Sulu-Celebes Sea, with 11 pilot sites across Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.
“Well-managed and interconnected Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) have proven effective not just in restoring marine biodiversity, but in generating food and livelihoods for people,” concludes PRF Executive Director Aimee Gonzales. “PEMSEA is pleased to work with ACB, national and local partners in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand to build capacity, enhance local livelihood programmes and share best practices on Integrated Coastal Management (ICM). Through this project, we aim to contribute to the sustainable development of coastal and fishing communities, plus marine resources in the ASEAN region and beyond.”
ACB, PRF, UNDP and GEF are one in conserving the seas of Southeast Asia through the ASEAN ENMAPS partnership. (PRF)
