acb2009

ASEAN CONFERENCE ONBIODIVERSITY2009

21-23 OCTOBER 2009REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC, SINGAPORE

Biodiversity in Focus: 2010 and Beyond

CONFERENCE PARTNERS

BIODIVERSITY IN FOCUS: 2010 AND BEYOND

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Table of Contents

Introduction and Rationale..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................3Conference Information ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9 Programme ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................9 Conference Venue at Republic Polytechnic ...........................................................................................................................................................15 Conference Floor Plan ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................16 Exhibition • Fourth National Report (4NR) Exhibit ..................................................................................................................................................................................17 Speakers’ Profi les ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................18 Welcome Dinner cum ASEAN Night ........................................................................................................................................................................................................43 • Launch of the Enhanced ASEAN Biodiversity Information Sharing Service .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................43 • Promotion of the 2010 ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference and Book ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................44 • Launch of the ASEAN Champions of Biodiversity ................................................................................................................45 • Awarding Ceremony for the ASEAN-wide photo contest “Zooming in on Biodiversity” ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................47 Side Events ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................48 A. The Asia-Pacifi c Network for Global Change Research (APN) Seminar Series on Biodiversity: Providing Scientifi c Knowledge to Civil Society and Preparing for the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP10).................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................48 B. Joint Effort by Malaysia and Japan Towards the CBD’s 2010 Target in Sabah State ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................50 C. Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) for Climate Change Mitigation and Biodiversity Conservation .......................................................................................................................................................................................................................51

ASEAN CONFERENCE ON BIODIVERSITY 2009

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D. East and Southeast Asia Biodiversity Inventory Initiative (ESABII) ...........................53 E. The State of Preparation for COP10 by the Government of Japan Parallel .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................54 Parallel Events ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................56 • Partners’ Forum ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................56 • ASEAN Heritage Parks Committee Meeting ..............................................................................................................................................56 • Scientifi c Advisory Committee Meeting .......................................................................................................................................................................57 Post-Conference Tours...............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................58

General Information .....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................61 Venue and Meeting Arrangements ...............................................................................................................................................................................................................61 • Venue address ..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................61 • Return transfers from hotel to conference venue .....................................................................................................................61 • Documents for the conference ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................63 • Wireless Internet Access at Republic Polytechnic ...............................................................................................................63 • Dress code .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................63 • Information Desk ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................64 Travel and Accommodation ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................64 • Hotel Accommodation .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................64 • Reimbursement for Sponsored Participants .............................................................................................................................................65 (For Travel and Modest Allowance)

Useful Information and Contact Numbers.....................................................................................................................................................................65 • Currency and Rate of Exchange ............................................................................................................................................................................................................65 • Electricity.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................65 • General Inquiries and Emergency Contact Numbers ...............................................................................................66 • Key Conference Logistic Coordinators’ Contact Numbers .................................................................66

Acknowledgement .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................67 Profi les of Conference Partners .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................67 Profi les of Organizers ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................71

Notes .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................74


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Introduction and Rationale

What is the ASEAN Conference on Biodiversity 2009?

The ASEAN Conference on Biodiversity (ACB2009) is one of the region’s most important gatherings of the best minds in the biodiversity arena for the year. Over 250 key stakeholders in the ASEAN region will discuss emerging trends, issues, and concerns on biodiversity conservation and sustainable management.

It will assess how ASEAN countries are faring against the 2010 Biodiversity Target of signifi cantly reducing biodiversity loss. The conference will also discuss the next steps to be taken for biodiversity beyond 2010.

Hosted by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the National Parks Board (NParks), Singapore, ACB2009 will be held on 21 – 23 October 2009 at the Republic Polytechnic in Singapore. The recommendations of the Conference will be forwarded to the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment to be held on 30 October 2009.

Why an ASEAN conference on biodiversity?

The richness of the ASEAN region’s biodiversity is well recognized. While it occupies only three percent of the earth’s total surface, it is home to over 20 percent of all known plant, animal, and marine species. This richness, however, is confronted with habitat and species loss.

With their rich biodiversity resources that provide food, medicine, shelter, clothing, and other biological goods and ecosystem services to over 500 million people, ASEAN Member States (AMS) recognize the urgent need to address biodiversity loss.


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ACB2009 is part of the ASEAN’s effort, through the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, to unify actions on all fronts to conserve and sustainably manage biodiversity. Now more than ever, ASEAN Member States are aware of the far-reaching effects of biodiversity loss. The conference provides a venue for ASEAN Member States and their partners to discuss key regional issues and challenges which include (1) climate change and its impact on biodiversity, (2) the need to negotiate an international regime to promote and safeguard the fair and equitable sharing of benefi ts arising from the use of genetic resources, and (3) the valuation of the goods provided by nature.

These are ACB2009’s main themes:

Climate Change and Biodiversity

Climate change is an unavoidable reality. Among the projected impacts of climate change is the loss of thousands of species, as well as changes in natural ecosystems. Climate change is a real threat to biodiversity. Globally, about 20 to 30 percent of species will be at increasingly high risk of extinction possibly by year 2100 as global mean temperatures exceed 2 to 3°C above pre-industrial levels.

Climate change will exacerbate the many factors that are already endangering biodiversity in the region. These stressors will be magnifi ed over time. Much uncertainty remains over the magnitude of climate change in the ASEAN region, and how this will affect biodiversity resources.

This session will explore how climate change affects biodiversity in the region, as well as potential mitigation and adaptation options. Topics under this theme include:

• Reducing emissions from deforestation and land degradation• Climate change and mangrove ecosystems • Climate change and coral reefs• Climate change and tropical forest ecosystems• Climate change and migratory birds• Climate change vulnerability assessment in Southeast Asia


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Access to Genetic Resources and Sharing of Benefi ts (ABS) Arising out of Their Utilization

Genetic resources, which have for years been freely accessible commodities, are no longer the common heritage of mankind. The monopolization of benefi ts by industries not from the country of origin had led genetic-resources providing countries to restrict access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) recognizes the sovereign right of countries and provides guidelines for regulating access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. In the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint (2009-2015), one of the key actions is to “promote collaboration, sharing of lessons learnt on access and equitable sharing of genetic and biological resources by 2015.”

This session seeks to provide a venue for stakeholders to fully understand how to add value to the available genetic resources; understand negotiation issues on ABS terms with users and providers of the resources; and ensure that benefi ts are gained by the local communities and translated into conservation actions. Topics under this theme include:

• Status of the negotiations of the international regime on ABS• Overview of the ABS issues in the context of ASEAN region• Issues on access and the use of genetic resources in the ASEAN Region• Benefi t-sharing and compliance• Importance of natural product drug discovery in facing global human

disease challenges• ABS capacity building and access to technologies and information• Monitoring and tracking of genetic resources

Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity –

the ASEAN Region’s Contribution

Benefi ts, in the form of goods and services, derived from ecosystems have satisfi ed human needs for the longest time. As a generally accepted principle, “the well-being of every human population is fundamentally and directly


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dependent on ecosystem services.” While there is an understanding of the nexus among the usual ecosystem services, evidence shows that there is still little appreciation of the connection between biodiversity loss and economic development.

This session will discuss the importance of incorporating economic principles in efforts to conserve biodiversity and maintain ecosystem functions. It will focus on the synergies exhibited by the various components of ecosystems and biodiversity, and highlight the direct connection of ecosystems degradation and biodiversity loss to economic development. The session will also take into account the real value of natural ecosystems and biodiversity vis-à-vis economic development.

The theme is divided into three major topics that will represent the discussion approaches: (1) species-based; (2) ecosystem-based/ecosystem services; and (3) protected areas-based.

This session will also cover the following:

• Wildlife trading• Willingness to pay for the conservation of endangered species • Payment for ecosystem services• Valuing biodiversity conservation in a World Heritage Site• Valuing business and biodiversity initiatives• Alternative means of valuing biodiversity

Why now?

2010 is drawing near!

In 1992, the CBD, the fi rst global agreement for the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefi ts arising from the use of the genetic resources, was signed by 153 countries at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Currently, there are 191 Parties to the Convention, making it one of the most subscribed international agreements. All ASEAN Member States are Parties to the CBD.


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At the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), the Parties to the CBD committed themselves to achieve by 2010 a signifi cant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional, and national levels as a contribution to poverty alleviation, and to the benefi t of all life on Earth. This is known as the 2010 Biodiversity Target.

The Target was subsequently endorsed by the WSSD and the United Nations General Assembly, and was incorporated as a new target under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

This year, the 2010 Biodiversity Target needs to be assessed. Progress made by ASEAN Member States has to be reported to the global community. ASEAN Member States need to play an integral part in the discussions that will take place during the 10th Conference of the Parties (COP10) in Nagoya and the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010.

ACB2009 hopes to strengthen the capacity of ASEAN Member States to prepare for COP10 by providing a forum for exchanging perspectives in addressing biodiversity issues in the region, and discussing steps forward in advancing the ASEAN biodiversity agenda within the context of the 2010 Biodiversity Target.

What are the Conference’s Objectives and Expected Outcomes?

The Conference aims to:

• Provide a venue to report and discuss the status of biodiversity in the ASEAN region and assess the progress in achieving the 2010 target;

• Discuss key biodiversity issues that are important to the region, including the gaps and challenges in ASEAN Member States’ biodiversity conservation efforts;

• Recommend the way forward in addressing the region’s biodiversity challenges; and,

• Profi le the work of ACB and the ASEAN in the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity and attract donors and partners to support regional biodiversity conservation programmes.


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The ACB2009 hopes to achieve the following outcomes:

• Enhanced awareness of ASEAN Member States’ biodiversity conservation efforts

• Enhanced network of biodiversity experts in the ASEAN• Reporting to COP10 of ASEAN’s contribution to biodiversity conservation


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Conference Information

PROGRAMME

Day 1: Wednesday, 21 October 2009

9:00 AM Registration

OPENING CEREMONY

10:00 Arrival of Guest of Honor Ms. Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State for National Development and Education, Singapore

10:05 Welcome Remarks Mr. Rodrigo U. FuentesExecutive DirectorASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

10:15 Welcome Remarks H.E. Dato’ Misran KarmainDeputy Secretary-GeneralAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

10:30 Opening Remarks H.E. Holger Standertskjöld NordenstamHead of DelegationEuropean Commission to Singapore

10:45 Opening Address Ms. Grace FuSenior Minister of State for National Developmentand Education, Singapore

11:00 Keynote Address Dr. Aaron Bernstein Faculty Member at the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School; Instructor in Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School; Physician in Medicine at Children's Hospital Boston, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, USA; andCo-Author of the book “Sustaining Life”

12:00 Noon Tour of Exhibits

12:20 PM LUNCH

1:00 Press Conference (By Invitation Only)


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PLENARY PAPER PRESENTATIONS

2:00 Introduction to the Plenary Session

Mr. Ong Keng Yong (Plenary Chair)Director, Institute of Policy StudiesLee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy National University of Singapore

2:15 Plenary Paper 1:The Status of Biodiversity and Challenges in the ASEAN Region

Prof. Peter Ng Kee LinProfessor, Department of Biological SciencesNational University of Singapore

2:45 Plenary Paper 2:Climate Change and Biodiversity:The IPCC Fourth Assessment Report and recent updates.

Dr. Andreas FischlinHead, Terrestrial Systems EcologyInstitute of Integrative Biology, Department of Environmental SciencesETH-Zentrum, ZurichMember, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IRCC)

3:15 Plenary Paper 3:Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity

Dr. Haripriya Gundimeda Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, IndiaThe Economics of Environment and Biodiversity (TEEB) Team, United Nations Enviromment Programme

3:45 AFTERNOON BREAK

4:15 Plenary Paper 4:Access to Genetic Resources and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising out of their Utilization

Prof. Zakri A. HamidTuanku Chancellor ChairUniversiti Sains Malaysia

4:45 Plenary Paper 5Road to Nagoya: COP10 and Beyond

Dr. Ahmed DjoghlafExecutive SecretarySecretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

5:15 Panel Discussion with Plenary Speakers

Open Forum and Chair’s Summary

6:30 End of Day 1

7:00-9:00 Welcome Dinner cum ASEAN Night hosted by NParks and ACB


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Day 2: Thursday, 22 October 2009

PARALLEL THEMATIC SESSIONS AND EVENTS

Session 1: Climate Change and Biodiversity

Session 2: Access to Genetic Resources and

Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising out of

their Utilization

Session 3: Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity- The ASEAN Region’s

Contribution

Parallel Events

9:00 – 9:15 AM INTRODUCTION BY RESPECTIVE CHAIRPERSONS OF THE THEMATIC SESSIONS

Co-Chairpersons:Dr. Rodel LascoSenior Scientist and Philippines ProgrammeCoordinator World AgroforestryCentre (ICRAF)Member, IPCC

Dr. Konrad UebelhöerCoordinatorProgrammeImplementing the Biodiversity ConventionGTZ

Co-Chairpersons:Dr. Sam JohnstonSenior Research FellowUnited Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS)

Mr. K. NagulendranDeputy UndersecretaryMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), Malaysia

Session 2 Opening StatementProf. Govindan ParayilVice Rector, United Nations University and Director, Director, UNU-IAS

Co-Chairpersons:Ms. Hitomi RankineEnvironmental Affairs OfficerUnited Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific(UNESCAP)

Prof. Navjot SodhiProfessorNational University of Singapore

Partners’ Forum(By invitation only)((9:00 AAM--11:00 PPM))

Co-Chairpersons: Mr. Dirk MeganckDirectorAsia and Central AsiaEuropean Commission EuropeAid Co-operation Office

Dr. Vann MonyneathChair of ASOEN and ACB Governing BoardDeputy Technical Director General,Minsitry of Environment,Cambodia

9:15 – 10:15 AM PAPER PRESENTATIONS

Reducing emissions from forests and carbon credits Dr. Meine van NoordwijkRegional CoordinatorICRAF

Finalizing the International ABS Regime: Challenges and Opportunities on the Road to NagoyaMr. Timothy HodgesCo-Chair of Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on Access and Benefit Sharing, CBD

Towards Integrated Economic Valuation for Marine Biodiversity Conservation in Tubbataha Reefs, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sulu Sea, PhilippinesDr. Rodelio SubadeDirectorInstitute of Fisheries Policy & Development StudiesUniversity of the Philippines (Visayas)

Partners’ Forum


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Climate change, Biodiversity and Resilience of the Coral TriangleDr. Terry P. HughesFederation Fellow and DirectorARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook University

Compliance and benefits-sharing – The Perfect Match?Dr. Andreas DrewsCoordinatorABS Capacity Development Initiative for AfricaGTZ

Wildlife Trading in Vietnam: Why It FlourishesDr. Nguyen Van SongHead Environmental and Resource Economics DepartmentHanoi University of Agriculture

Partners’ Forum

10:15 – 10:45 AM BREAK

10:45 – 12:15 CONTINUATION OF PAPER PRESENTATIONSEcosystems-based Adaptation in developing countries: Opportunities and Constraints in the PhilippinesDr. Rodel LascoSenior Scientist and Philippines Program Coordinator, ICRAFMember, IPCC

Access and Benefit Sharing of Biological Resources: A Malaysian PerspectiveMr. K. NagulendranDeputy UndersecretaryMONRE, Malaysia

Designing a Procurement Auction for Reducing Sedimentation: A Field Experiment in IndonesiaMs. Beria LeimonaProject Coordinator, RUPES, ICRAF

Partners’ Forum

Climate Change impacts on, and vulnerability and adaptation of mangrove ecosystemsDr. Joanna EllisonSenior LecturerSchool of Geography and Environmental StudiesUniversity of Tasmania

Access and Benefit Sharing:ICT and Technology TransferMr. Paul OldhamResearch FellowESRC Centre for Economic and Social Aspects of Genomics (Cesagen)Institute for Advanced StudyLancaster University

Payments for Ecosystems Services in Southeast AsiaMr. James PetersChief of PartyAsia Regional Biodiversity Conservation ProgrammeWinrock International

Climate change and Biodiversity: Potential impacts on species, sites, habitat and peopleMs. Cristi Marie NozawaDirectorBirdLife International (Asia)

Importance of natural product drug discovery in facing global human disease challenges: Does biodiversity in the ASEAN have a role?Dr. Martin EverettHead of ResearchMerlion PharmaceuticalsSingapore

Valuing Business and Biodiversity InitiativesDr. Naoki AdachiExecutive DirectorJapan Business Initiative on Biodiversity (JBIB)


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Day 3: Friday, 23 October 2009PLENARY DISCUSSION

9:00 Introductory Remarks Plenary and Panel Discussion Chair:Mr. Rodolfo SeverinoHeadASEAN Studies Centre and Visiting Senior FellowInstitute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), Singapore

9:15 Session 1 Chair’s Presentation: Climate Change and Biodiversity

Dr. Konrad Uebelhöer, GTZDr. Rodel Lasco, ICRAF

9:30 Session 2 Chair’s Presentation: Access to Genetic Resources and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising out of their Utilization

Mr. K. Nagulendran, MONRE, Malaysia Mr. Geoff BurtonVisiting Senior Fellow United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies

12:15 – 1:00 PM LUNCH BREAK

1:00 – 2:30 SIDE EVENTSSide Event A: APN“APN Seminar Series on Biodiversity: Providing Scientific Knowledge to Civil Society and Preparing for CBD COP10”

Side Event B: JICA“Joint Effort by Malaysia and Japan towards the CBD’s 2010 Target in Sabah State”

Side Event C: ASEF“REDD for Climate Change Mitigation and Biodiversity Conservation”

2:30-2:45 PM BREAK

2:45 –3:15 CONTINUATION OF PAPER PRESENTATIONSClimate Change Impacts inSoutheast Asia: What Maps and Case Studies ShowDr. Herminia FranciscoDirectorEconomy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA)

Monitoring and Tracking of Genetic Resources Dr. Perry Ong DirectorInstitute of BiologyUniversity of the Philippines

ABS Issues in the ASEAN RegionDr. Raman LetchumananHeadEnvironment DivisionCross-Sectoral CooperationDirectorateASEAN Socio-CulturalCommunity (ASCC) Department,ASEAN Secretariat

Valuing Biodiversity: Promises and CaveatsDr. Jose Padilla Resource EconomistPhilippines

ASEAN Heritage Parks Committee Meeting (By invitation only)(2:45-7:00 PM)

3:15 – 4:30 PANEL DISCUSSION AND SYNTHESIS

4:30 – 5:00 BREAK

5:00-6:30 PM SIDE EVENT D: ESABII Japan


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9:45 Session 3 Chair’s Presentation: Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity- The ASEAN Regions’ Contribution

Prof. Navjot Sodhi, NUSMs. Hitomi Rankine, UNESCAP

10:00 Report from Partners’ Forum Dr. Vann Monyneath, ASOEN-Chair, CambodiaMr. Nick TaylorCounsellor and Head Operations Delegation of the European Commission to the Philippines

10:15 – 10:45 AM BREAK

10:45 Panel Discussion Panelists: Mr. Kazuaki Hoshino, Director for Biodiversity Policy Division, Ministry of Environment, JapanDr. Balakrishna Pisupati, Division for Environmental Law and Conventions, UNEPProf. Zakri A. Hamid, Tuanku Chancellor Chair, Universiti Sains MalaysiaDr. Cielito Habito, Director, Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development, PhilippinesDr. Raman Letchumanan,, ASEAN Secretariat

12:00 – 1:00 PM LUNCH BREAK

1:00 – 2:00 SIDE EVENT EThe State of Preparation of COP10 by the Government of Japan

2:00 – 3.00 PM CLOSING CEREMONY

Presentation on the Recommendations of ACB2009

Mr. Rodrigo U. FuentesExecutive DirectorASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Closing Remarks Dr. Leong Chee ChiewDeputy Chief Executive Officer (Professional Development and Services)National Parks Board, Singapore

3:15 – 7:00 PMPOST-CONFERENCE TOURS

Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

National Orchid Garden

HSBC TreeTop Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir Park

Dairy Farm Nature Park

3:15 – 7:00 PMACB SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE (SAC) MEETING

(by invitation only)


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Figure 1: Conference Venue at Republic Polytechnic

Republic Polytechnic9 Woodlands Avenue 9, Singapore, 738964http://www.rp.edu.sg/


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An exhibition showcasing ASEAN Member States’ (AMS) and partners’ biodiversity conservation efforts is featured during the three-day Conference in Agora Hall 1.

In addition to this, exhibit panels of AMS’ Fourth National Reports to the CBD is available at the Foyer of the Halls.

The National Reports will enable the Conference of Parties to facilitate the decision-making process of the Convention; identify gaps in and future priorities for the Programme of Work (PoW) of the Convention; facilitate the exchange of information among Parties concerning the experience of implementation of the Convention; and contribute to the preparation of the 3rd edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook and its by-products.

EXHIBITION

BRUNEIDARUSSALAM

CAMBODIA INDONESIA LAO PDR MALAYSIA

MYANMAR PHILIPPINES SINGAPORE THAILAND VIETNAM

ASEAN MEMBER STATES


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SPEAKERS’ PROFILES

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dr. Aaron Bernstein Faculty Center for Health and the Global EnvironmentAnd Instructor in PediatricsHarvard Medical School

Aaron Bernstein, MD, MPH, is on faculty at Harvard Medical School and its Center for Health and the Global Environment. His work examines the human health dimensions of global environmental change, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, with the aim of promoting a deeper understanding of these subjects among policy makers, educators, and the public. He has delivered lectures around the world and has

also published articles in scientifi c journals including Science and the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Along with Nobel Peace Prize recipient Eric Chivian, he co-authored the Oxford University Press book Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity. The book has been widely acclaimed, including by Al Gore, Kofi Annan, and Gro Brundtland, and was named the best biology book of 2008 by the Library Journal.

Dr. Bernstein is a past recipient of a Harvard University Zuckerman Fellowship (2008) and has received Stanford University’s Firestone Medal for Research. In 2009 he became the course director for Human Health and Global Environmental Change, offered jointly at the Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School, the only such course offered at a medical school in the United States. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University, his medical degree from the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, and his MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health. He completed his medical training in the Boston Combined Residency in Pediatrics and now practices pediatrics at Children’s Hospital Boston.


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CHAIRPERSONS

Mr. Ong Keng Yong DirectorInstitute of Policy Studies, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public PolicyNational University of Singapore

Mr. Ong Keng Yong is concurrently Ambassador-At-Large in the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Iran. He was Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) from January 2003 to January 2008. He started his diplomatic career in the MFA from June 1979 and was posted to the Singapore Embassies in Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and the

United States of America. He was Singapore’s Ambassador to India and Nepal from 1996 to 1998. From September 1998 to December 2002, he was Press Secretary to the then Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Goh Chok Tong. Mr. Ong was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 1997, the Long Service Medal in 2002, and the Meritorious Service Medal in 2008 by the Singapore Government. He also received the Medal of Friendship of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in 2007, and the Medal of Sahametrei of the Kingdom of Cambodia in 2007.

Dr. Rodel D. LascoSenior Scientist and Philippines Programme CoordinatorWorld Agroforestry Centre

Dr. Rodel D. Lasco has over 28 years of experience in natural resources and environmental research, conservation, education, and development at the national and international levels. He is a member of the IPCC, the 2007 co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. He is also a member of the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) in the Philippines. He is the Philippines Coordinator of the World Agroforestry

Centre (ICRAF) since April 2004, a center devoted to promoting “tree on farms.” Prior to that, he was the youngest full professor at the College of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of the Philippines Los Baños. He is


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a multi-awarded scientist with over 80 technical publications in national and international journals dealing with the various aspects of natural resources conservation and environmental management. In the last fi ve years, he has pioneered research in the Philippines on climate change adaptation in the natural resources sector, the role of tropical forests in climate change/global warming, and the policy implications of the Kyoto Protocol. He also spearheaded the Philippines sub-global component of the global Millennium Ecosystems Assessment.

Dr. Konrad UebelhöerCoordinator, Programme “Implementing the Biodiversity Convention”Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenabeit (GTZ) GmbH

Dr. Uebelhör has an academic and research background in Forest Science and Ecology and 25 years postgraduate consulting experience in natural resources management, biodiversity conservation and environmental policy. Currently Head of GTZ’s Biodiversity Programme (advisory services to the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development on implementing the Biodiversity Convention,

CBD), Dr. Uebelhör has intensive experience in, inter alia tropical forest management and livelihoods (Asia, 13 years), natural resources management and forest policy (Central America, 7 years) and selected thematic areas of the CBD (ecosystem approach, biodiversity and climate change, Programme of Work on Protected Areas). Dr. Uebelhör has experience in managing complex programmes in developing countries with different components from national to local level and a global programme with initiatives in all continents. The integration of biodiversity concerns into climate change mitigation and adaptation measures has become an important focus of his work. Dr. Uebelhör is author of numerous publications and has initiated studies on different environmental topics, including forest inventory, sustainable forest management, community-based natural resources management, biodiversity in development cooperation, and ecosystem vulnerability assessment to climate change.


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Dr. Sam JohnstonSenior Research FellowUnited Nations University – Institute of Advanced Studies

Dr. Sam Johnston has degrees in chemistry and law, and is a qualifi ed lawyer in the Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia. Before joining UNU-IAS, Johnston worked at the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, where he has held a variety of positions, including: secretary of the second meeting of the SBSTTA, acting Principal Offi cer for Implementation and Communication, acting Legal Advisor and Programme Offi cer

for Financial Resources and Instruments. He also represented the Executive Secretary of the Convention at a wide range of diplomatic and academic conferences, including the United Nations General Assembly, Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization and the Global Environment Facility’s Participants Assembly. Prior to the Secretariat, Johnston was the Jacques & Lewis Research Associate, Department of Land Economy, University of Cambridge, UK, the legal manager at Société Générale Australia Ltd and a solicitor at a major Australian commercial fi rm of attorneys. At UNU-IAS Johnston works as Senior Research Fellow and his principal responsibilities are to provide strategic guidance to the Director regarding the research priorities of the Institute, develop new research activities for the Institute, and assist with fundraising efforts. His research interests include: international environmental law; governance of international spaces and international regulation of biotechnology.

Mr. K. NagulendranDeputy UndersecretaryMinistry of Natural Resources and Environment, Malaysia

Mr. K. Nagulendran joined the Malaysian Government in 1995 as a Diplomatic and Administrative offi cer. He has been involved in biodiversity issues and management since 1996 and currently as the Deputy Undersecretary of the Conservation and Environmental Management Division, his primary role is on biodiversity matters. He was involved in formulating the National Policy on Biological Diversity. He

too was involved in drafting the Malaysian Biosafety Act which was adopted


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by the Malaysian Parliament in 2007. He is currently in the team involved in drafting of the ABS law for Malaysia. He has been in the Malaysian delegation for Convention on Biological Diversity meetings, as well as ASEAN meetings related to biodiversity. His Division also acts as the Secretariat to the National Biodiversity and Biotechnology Council which is chaired by the Honorable Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Mr. Geoff BurtonVisiting Senior FellowUnited Nations University – Institute of Advanced Studies

Mr. Geoff Burton is a Visiting Senior Fellow of the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS). He is also the Principal Consultant in Genetic Resources Management and international Co-operation, for Jean Shannon and Associates (Australia) Pty Ltd. Prior to leaving the public sector in late 2006, he was Australia’s National Competent Authority on Access and Benefi t-sharing (ABS) under the Convention on Biological

Diversity. He held the position of Director of Genetic Resources Management Policy within the Australian Government and was Australia’s lead negotiator on ABS issues. In 2001, Mr. Burton led the Australian Delegation to the Convention on Biological Diversity Working Group meeting that developed the Bonn Guidelines on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefi ts Arising out of their Utilization and played a signifi cant role in their later adoption by the Convention in April 2002. A history graduate of the University of Western Australia, Mr. Burton has had a diverse career ranging over governance reform in China and countries in transition, environment and heritage conservation and management, aircraft accident investigation, law enforcement oversight and public administration reform and accountability.

Dr. Govindan ParayilVice Rector, United Nations University and DirectorUnited Nations University – Institute of Advanced Studies

Professor Parayil, an Indian national, is Vice Rector of the United Nations University (UNU) and Director of United Nations University Institute of Advanced


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Studies (UNU-IAS). Before joining the UNU in 2008, he was a Professor at the Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo (Norway), where his research focus has been on science, technology, innovation, and sustainability. His other academic affi liations include the National University of Singapore, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Cornell University, Illinois Institute of Technology and

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He is a widely published academic with four books and over forty articles in international journals.

Ms. Hitomi RankineEnvironmental Affairs Offi cer United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacifi c

Ms. Hitomi Rankine is an Environmental Affairs Offi cer at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacifi c, based in Bangkok. She has 16 years of experience in various aspects of environment and sustainable development, working in both Asia and the Pacifi c and in the Caribbean. She is currently managing a project on payments for ecosystem services in Aceh, Indonesia as an important

facet of ESCAP’s work on green growth and investments in natural capital. Other areas of responsibility include research and advocacy related to green growth, eco-effi ciency and resilience. She is a contributor to, or is responsible for, several UN publications and projects on these themes. She holds an MSc. Degree in Environmental Management from Stirling University, Scotland, and a fi rst degree in natural sciences.

Prof. Navjot SodhiProfessorNational University of Singapore

Prof. Navjot S. Sodhi is currently a Professor of Conservation Ecology at the National University of Singapore. He received his PhD from the University of Saskatchewan (Canada). He has been studying the effects of rain forest loss and degradation on Southeast Asian fauna and fl ora for over 13 years. He has


24

published over 100 scientifi c papers in international and regional scientifi c journals such as Nature, Science, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, Annual Review of Ecology, Conservation Biology, Biological Conservation, and Biodiversity and Conservation. He has written/edited several books/monographs such as Tropical Conservation Biology (2007, Blackwell). He has also spent time at Harvard University as a Bullard Fellow (2001-02) and Hrdy Fellow

(2008-09) where he now holds an adjunct position. He currently (or has been) is an Associate Editor/Editor of prestigious journals such as Conservation Biology, Biological Conservation, Animal Conservation, the Auk and Biotropica.

Mr. Dirk MeganckDirectorAsia and Central Asia European Commission EuropeaAid Co-operation Offi ce

Dr. Vann MonyneathChairman of the ASEAN Senior Offi cials on the EnvironmentChair, Governing Board, ASEAN Centre for BiodiversityDeputy Technical Director General, Ministry of Environment, Cambodia

Mr. Vann Monyneath is Chairman of the ASEAN Senior Offi cials on the Environment (ASOEN) and Deputy Technical Director General of Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment. He is also the Chair of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity’s (ACB) Governing Board (GB). A fi sheries engineer and environmental management specialist, Mr. Monyneath has over 15 years of experience working with the Ministry of Environment where he

specializes in national and regional environmental planning, environmental impact assessment, public participation and access to information, and development and implementation of projects in coastal zone management. He also worked for more than three years with Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. He taught for three years with the Royal University of Agriculture’s Faculty of Fisheries, the same school where he earned his Fisheries Science degree in 1990.


25

Mr. Monyneath has a Master of Science degree in General Maritime Administration and Environment Protection from the World Maritime University in Sweden. He is a PhD candidate at Preston University in the United States.

Mr. Nick TaylorCounsellor and Head of OperationsDelegation of the European Commission to the Philippines

Nick Taylor is Head of the Development Coooperation Section. He joined the Delegation to the Philippines in September 2007 after three years at the Delegation in Bangladesh where he was head of governance, human rights and economic support. Before joining the European Commission, he had a two year spell with the UN as head of offi ce for OCHA in South Sudan and before that he was head of offi ce for the UK’s Department

for International Development in Ethiopia. He started his career in development as a pre-university volunteer at a rural school in Kenya, completed his fi rst degree at Cambridge University and then had a lengthy stint with the British Council, which took him to Ethiopia, Egypt and Mexico. He has a Ph.D at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London.

Mr. Rodolfo C. SeverinoHead, ASEAN Studies CentreVisiting Fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies

Rodolfo C. Severino, a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, a former ASEAN Secretary-General and former Philippine diplomat, is the fi rst head of the ASEAN Studies Centre. He has completed a book, Southeast Asia in Search of an ASEAN Community. Before assuming the position of ASEAN Secretary-General, Severino was Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines. He

was Ambassador to Malaysia from 1989 to 1992. He twice served as ASEAN Senior Offi cial for the Philippines.


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Mr. Kazuaki HoshinoDirector, Biodiversity Policy DivisionNature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment of Japan

Mr. Hoshino started his career in the Environment Agency (at that time) in 1978 and continued to serve in various positions such as Director-General of the Kushiro Nature Conservation Offi ce, and as Director of Wildlife Division. He assumed the current position in July 2009. He has a vast experience as a technical offi cial of the Ministry, dealing with various international biodiversity issues, including CBD, CITES, ICRI, the World

Heritage Convention, UNEP, as well as bilateral technical cooperation projects.

Dr. Balakrishna PisupatiDivision for Environmental Law and ConventionsUnited Nations Environment Programme

Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati is with the Division for Environmental Law and Conventions of the United Nations Environment Programme based in Nairobi. He provides technical and policy support on issues related to biodiversity related Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEAs) and works closely on issues of implementation of MEAs. Additionally he also provides inputs into issues related to linking biodiversity and climate

change, sustainable development and governance issues. Balakrishna has more than 16 years of experience in working on issues of sustainable development, environmental management and policy development. Balakrishna holds a PhD in genetics and is an invited Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, New York, Fellow of Linnean Society, London and Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Society. He has published more than 50 research and review articles and 24 books on issues of conservation, development and environment and is an associate editor for several journals, including Biodiversity, published from Canada. Most recently he produced a ‘Pocket Guide on Bioprospecting and ABS’ that was published from the United Nations University-Institute of Advanced Studies, Japan that was aimed as an ‘expert-to-lay’ guide on ABS. Currently this Guide is being translated into Portugese, Spanish, French, Russian Chinese and Hindi.


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Prof. Zakri A. HamidTuanku Chancellor ChairUniversity Sains Malaysia

Dato Zakri Hamid is the Tuanku Chancellor Chair at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. He was the former Director of the Institute of Advanced Studies, United Nations University in Yokohama, Japan. He was the co-Chair of the United Nations study known as the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Board (2001-2005) aimed at assessing the state of global ecosystem. In the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development,

he was the Deputy Head of the United Nations University delegation, and in subsequent sessions in 2003, 2004 and 2005, he led the UNU delegation at the UN Commission on Sustainable Development. He holds a PhD from Michigan State University, USA. His vast research interests include biodiplomacy, biotechnology, and education for sustainable development, among others. Among his notable awards are the Langkawi Award, a national laureate for outstanding contribution in the fi eld of environment in Malaysia in 1998, and a Gold Medal Award from the Rotary Research Foundation in 1999.

Dr. Cielito HabitoProfessorAteneo Center for Economic Research and Development

Dr. Cielito F. Habito is currently Professor of Economics and Director of the Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development (ACERD) at the Ateneo de Manila University. He is a board director in the Manila Water Company and Metrobank Card Corporation, and is Chairman of Brain Trust Inc. and Operation Compassion International. He also writes a weekly column “No Free Lunch” in the Philippine Daily

Inquirer. He served in the Cabinet of President Fidel V. Ramos as Secretary of Socio-economic Planning/NEDA Director-General in 1992-1998, was the founding Chair of the Philippine Council for Sustainable Development, and was elected Chairman of the Sixth Session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD-6) in New York in 1997-1998. Dr. Habito holds a Ph.D. (1984) and M.A. (1981) in Economics from Harvard University, a Master of


28

Economics (1978) from the University of New England (Australia), and B.S. Agricultural Economics, Summa cum Laude (1975) from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños.

Dr. Raman LetchumananHead, Environment Division, Cross-Sectoral Cooperation DirectorateASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Department, ASEAN Secretariat

Dr. Raman Letchumanan is currently Head of the Environment Division in the Secretariat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN Secretariat), where he is overall in charge of promoting regional cooperation on the whole range of environmental and conservation issues for the ASEAN Member States. Prior to this assignment, Dr. Letchumanan has served the Government of Malaysia for 20 years, since

1981, in various capacities in the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment. The last position he held was as Director of the Conservation and Environmental Management Division, where he was responsible for formulation and coordination of environmental and conservation polices and strategies for the country. In that capacity, he has represented the Government of Malaysia in numerous international negotiations on environmental issues, particularly the climate change and biodiversity conventions. Dr. Letchumanan holds a Ph.D. specializing in trade and environment from the University of Tokyo, Japan. He has a fi rst degree majoring in Mathematics and Physics, and a Masters Degree in Science Policy. He is also qualifi ed professionally as a Chartered Management Accountant of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, United Kingdom, and as a Chartered Accountant of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants.


29

PRESENTERS

Prof. Peter Ng Kee Lin Professor, Department of Biological SciencesNational University of Singapore

Prof. Peter Ng Kee Lin is a Professor of the Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore. He is also the Director of Raffl es Museum of Biodiversity Research and the Tropical Marine Science Institute of the same University. He serves as the Asian Governor in the Executive Board of Crustacean Society, USA from December 1999 to present. His research interests include crustacean and fi sh

systematics, Indo-Pacifi c biogeography and marine biodiversity, and Southeast Asian conservation biology. In 1995, he received the National Science Award and the ASEAN Young Science Technologist Award. He obtained his PhD in Zoology from the National University of Singapore.

Dr. Andreas Fischlin Head, Terrestrial Systems Ecology, Institute of Integrative BiologyDepartment of Environmental Sciences, ETH-Zentrum, ZurichMember, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Dr. Andreas Fischlin has been the head of the Terrestrial Systems Ecology Group since its formation in November 1988. The Terrestrial Systems Ecology Group belongs to the Institute of Integrative Biology of ETHZ. He studied at ETH Zurich biology (Master with distinction), as well as systems and control theory (Post-graduate diploma). There he graduated with a doctorate in population ecology in 1982 (silver medal

for exceptional PhD theses). His main research interests are modeling of ecosystems, in particular forest ecosystems in a changing climate, the ecology of population cycles, and the development of a methodology for the structured modeling of complex ecological systems. He has been Convening Lead Author of the chapter “Climate change impacts on forests” of “Climate Change 1995”, the Second Assessment Report prepared for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and has recently served as senior Coordinating Lead Author


30

of the chapter “Ecosystems, their properties, goods, and services” of the Assessment Report Four “Climate Change 2007” of the IPCC. The latter work made him a co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

Dr. Haripriya GundimendaAssociate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of TechnologyThe Economics of Environment and Biodiversity (TEEB) Team, UNEP

Dr. Haripriya Gundimeda is the Joint Local and Regional Policymakers and Administrators Coordinator for the TEEB study. She holds a doctorate in Development Policy and works in various issues relating to environment and development economics. She is currently working as an Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, at the Indian Institute of Technology in Bombay, India. Before

joining her current organization, Haripriya taught at the Madras School of Economics in Chennai. She was also a Visiting Scholar at the Institute of Behavioral Sciences, at the University of Colorado, Boulder, as well as a Ratan Tata Fellow at the Asia Research Centre, at the London School of Economics, and a Political Sciences and Visiting Researcher at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Her main areas of research have been on green accounting, economics of biodiversity, mitigation aspects of climate change, energy demand and pricing, valuation of environmental resources, and issues relating to the development in India. Haripriya is actively involved with the Green Indian States Trust (GIST) in India and has published widely in various journals.

Dr. Ahmed DjoghlafExecutive SecretarySecretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf is the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Prior to his appointment to CBD, he served as UNEP’s Assistant Executive Director and Director and Coordinator of Division of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in which he raised the profi le of UNEP. He has passionately been involved within the UN system and within CBD processes.


31

He was the General Rapporteur of the Preparatory Committee of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), or the Earth Summit in 1992 and the Vice Chairman of the Eleventh Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Science and Technology for Development in 1991. He holds a PhD from the University of Nancy, France.

Dr. Meine van NoordwijkRegional CoordinatorWorld Agroforestry Centre

Dr. Meine Van Noordwijk is the chief scientist of the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) responsible for coordinating the overall science agenda of the centre. He is based at ICRAF’s regional headquarters in Bogor, Indonesia and has been there since 1993. He was initially responsible for research on processes associated with nutrient cycling, organic residue management and fertilizer use effi ciency, as well as developing

and refi ning agroforestry alternatives to slash-and-burn agriculture. His research experience includes modeling tree-soil-crop interactions in above- and below-ground resource capture in a wide range of agroforestry technologies, biodiversity and environmental aspects of agroforestry, watershed functions and scaling of results from plot to landscape level. Before joining ICRAF he was a senior research offi cer in the Root Ecology Section at the DLO Institute for Soil Fertility Research in Haren, the Netherlands, concentrating on the relationships between soil fertility, nutrient use effi ciency and root development of crops and trees in various temperate and tropical agroecosystems. He has bachelor’s and masters (cum laude) degrees in biology from the University of Utrecht and a PhD from the Agricultural University of Wageningen.


32

Dr. Terry HughesFederation Fellow and Director, Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef StudiesJames Cook University

Dr. Terry Hughes is the Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at BA Trinity College Dublin. He obtained his MA and PhD at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science; Member of the ARC Advisory Council; Fellow and Board Member of the Beijer Institute for Ecological Economics at the Royal Swedish Academy of Science; and Member of

the Executive Board of Directors of the Resilience Alliance. His recent awards include the Sherman Eureka Prize for Environmental Research (2007); the Darwin Medal of the International Society for Coral Reef Studies (2008); the ARC Federation Fellowships (2002-2007, 2007-2012). Dr. Hughes’ research focuses on the linkages between coral reef ecosystems, the goods and services they provide to people, and the welfare of human societies. He has pioneered the concept of ecological resilience, leading to a deeper understanding of why coral reefs sometimes collapse in response to human impacts.

Dr. Joanna EllisonSenior Lecturer, School of Geography and Environmental StudiesUniversity of Tasmania

Dr. Joanna Ellison is Senior Lecturer at School of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania. Joanna has extensive research experience on mangrove management. Her PhD from the University of California Berkeley examined mangrove response to sea-level rise, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship at the Australian Institute of Marine Science, and she has published much on this subject since. Recent

research includes Technical Lead on Sustainable Management of American Samoa Mangroves for Climate Change Adaptation (US EPA), during which she supervised the PhD of her co-author Eric Gilman. In the last two years she has been Chief Scientist on a UNEP GEF/WWF project investigating Mangrove Resilience to Climate Change, helping coastal communities adapt to climate change in Tanzania, Cameroon and Fiji.


33

Ms. Cristi Marie C. NozawaDirectorBirdLife International (Asia)

Cristi Marie C. Nozawa is the Regional Director of BirdLife International (Asia) based in Japan. Since 1987, Cristi has worked on the establishment and management of the fi rst protected areas and implementation of the National Integrated Protected Areas Systems Act in the Philippines through Haribon Foundation. Under her leadership, the organisation also managed one of the fi rst-ever Debt for Nature Swap

Programme implemented in 1989. From there she went on to advocate, fundraise for, provide technical support and management advice for the involvement local and indigenous communities in protected areas at the national and regional levels. She was also involved in the negotiations, establishment and governance of a number of national endowment funds and community granting mechanisms such as the GEF Small Grants Programme, the Foundation for Philippine Environment and the GGF small grants for Southeast Asia now under Samdhana Institute. She was Director of the World Bank-Danish funded Technical Assistance project for 10 protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas System of the Philippines for almost three years enabling the development of a biodiversity monitoring system now in place and used by the National Protected Area agency of the same country.

Dr. Herminia A. FranciscoDirectorEconomy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia

Dr. Herminia A Francisco is the Director of the Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA). EEPSEA receives funding support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). Dr. Francisco leads the Program in developing capacity for environmental

economics research to address priority environmental and natural resource use problems in the region. Prior to taking the post as Director of EEPSEA,


34

Dr. Francisco was stationed in Cambodia for two years where she managed the capacity-building training and research grant activities for select institutions in Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Viet Nam. Her written works dealt on economics of soil erosion and conservation, pricing of environmental services, and institutional issues governing management of common pool resources. She co-edited two books that feature the collection of environmental economics research works in Vietnam and the Philippines.

Dr. Arief Anshory Yusuf (Co-Author: Climate Change Impacts in Southeast Asia: What Maps and Case Studies Show)Senior EconomistEconomy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia

Dr. Arief Anshory Yusuf is a lecturer/researcher at Faculty of Economics, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia and a senior economist at EEPSEA. He received his M.Sc in Environmental and Resource Economics from the University College London (UCL), U.K., and PhD in Economics from the Australian National University (ANU). His main areas of interest include environmental and

resource economics, poverty and inequality, economy-wide modeling and micro-econometrics. He is currently working on inter-regional CGE model for Indonesia, and technical change in agriculture in Thailand and Indonesia.

Mr. Timothy HodgesCo-Chair of Ad Hoc Open-Ended Working Group on Access and Benefi t Sharing Convention on Biological Diversity

Timothy Hodges is Co-Chair of the Working Group on Access and Benefi t Sharing of Genetic Resources (ABS) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Elected to this position in March 2006, Mr. Hodges is co-chairing negotiations of an International ABS Regime. Prior to assuming Co-Chair responsibilities, Mr. Hodges was Canada’s National Access and Benefi t Sharing (ABS) Focal Point. In this capacity, he


35

led Canadian delegations to the CBD’s ABS Working Group meetings over the past several years. Mr. Hodges has also had overall responsibility for the Government of Canada’s national ABS policy initiative. As such he has chaired the Federal Government’s ABS Committee and co-chaired the Federal-Provincial-Territorial ABS Working Group. Much of his professional career has focused on bilateral and multilateral environmental, economic, and trade negotiations. He has been involved in a wide range of international fi les relating to technology transfer, science policy, biotechnology, intellectual property rights, genetic resources, indigenous issues, global change and circumpolar affairs – negotiated under the G8, WTO, UN CBD, UNFCCC, CSD, UNESCO, APEC, FAO, NAFTA, OAS, OECD and numerous other international organizations

Dr. Andreas DrewsCoordinatorABS Capacity Development Initiative for Africa, GTZ

Dr. Andreas Drews is a biologist holding a PhD in natural sciences. He is currently the Coordinator of the ABS Capacity Development Initiative for Africa, a multi-donor initiative implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH. Prior to this, he was a Consultant to several programmes of GTZ on biological pest control and natural resource management. Since 1995, he acts

as advisor to the GTZ Programme “Implementing the Biodiversity Convention” on ABS and traditional knowledge. As such, he is involved in conceptualizing and supporting national projects and trainings on the development and implementation of ABS regulations in Asia and Africa. He also advises the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) on the implementation and further development of the Convention on Biological Diversity and is a member of the German delegation to relevant inter¬national negotiations.


36

Dr. Dagmar Lohan (Co-Author: Compliance and Benefi t Sharing – The Perfect Match)ABS Capacity Development Initiative for Africa, GTZ

Dr. Dagmar Lohan, an international environmental lawyer, works on ABS both for the Deutsche Gesellschaft

für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH and as an adviser to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Mr. Paul OldhamESRC Centre for Economic and Social Aspects of Genomics (Cesagen)Institute for Advanced Study, Lancaster University, UK

Mr. Paul Oldham is a social anthropologist and holds a PhD from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is presently Research Fellow at the ESRC Centre for Economic and Social Aspects of Genomics (Cesagen) at Lancaster University. In the 1990s, he conducted extensive fi eldwork with the Piaroa and indigenous peoples in the Venezuelan Amazon in relation to environment, development

and human rights issues. This led to an increasing focus on international policy issues notably the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity in relation to Article 8(j) and access and benefi t-sharing. He has participated in debates under the Convention in these areas over the last nine years. As part of this work he has addressed the problem of identifying global patent trends for biodiversity and traditional knowledge and recently developed a 55 country patent indicator for access to genetic resources and benefi t-sharing for the European Environment Agency. Recent work focuses on the potential application of commons or open source licensing models within the international regime on access and benefi t-sharing. Paul is also the co-Director of a digital methods unit (the SCF) that seeks to enhance capacity in the use of digital methods to address questions in and about the biosciences and biodiversity. His most recent work is a contribution to ABS debates entitled ‘An ABS Commons? The role of Commons/Open Source Licences in the International Regime on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefi t-Sharing’


37

Dr. Martin EverettHead of ResearchMerlion Pharmaceuticals, Singapore

Dr. Martin Everett has a PhD in microbiology with over 20 years experience within academia and the pharmaceutical industry. He worked with GSK in the UK for nine years before joining MerLion Pharmaceuticals in Singapore 4½ years ago, specializing in the discovery and development of natural products for medicinal and nutritional purposes. Currently, he is the Head of Research, with responsibility for scientifi c

line management and business development activities. He is an expert in drug discovery and development, screening technologies and natural products research. His keen interest, both personally and professionally, is in the preservation and utilization of natural resources for the benefi t of mankind.

Dr. Perry OngDirectorInstitute of Biology, University of the Philippines Diliman

Dr. Perry Ong is a Professor of Wildlife Biology at the Institute of Biology, University of the Philippines Diliman. He is also currently its Director and had been serving as such since June 2006. He got his Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and Master of Science degree in Zoology from UP Los Baños, while he was awarded his Doctor of Philosophy from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia in 1995. He is the President of

the Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines since 2006 and a member of the board of various conservation organizations such as the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation (PTFCF), the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE). He is also a member of the National Steering Committee (NSC) of the UNDP GEF Small Grants Program (SGP). He just completed his term as chair of the Philippine Federation for Environmental Concern (PFEC) and of the Earth’s Rights, People’s Rights (ERPR). His accomplishments were recently recognized by the University of the Philippines Diliman as one of the 2009 Natatanging Guro Gawad Chancellor Award (Most Outstanding Teacher Award).


38

Dr. Rodelio F. SubadeDirectorInstitute of Fisheries Policy and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Visayas

Dr. Rodelio F. Subade is a Professor in Economics at the Division of Social Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, and concurrently Director of the Institute of Fisheries Policy and Development Studies, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, both of which are in the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV). He has been teaching and doing research in UPV for over 20 years. Areas of his interests and research

range across various areas of environment and natural resource economics and policy such as economic valuation, conservation and biodiversity economics, fi sheries and aquaculture economics, socio-economics, economics of climate change adaptation, fi sheries co-management and others. He has been a researcher with the Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA) and an alumni/ fellow of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Studies and Research in Agriculture and Natural Resources (SEARCA). He is a member of the Asian Fisheries Society and the Philippine Economic Society, and concurrently an offi cer of the Philippine Association of Marine Sciences.

Dr. Nguyen Van SongHeadEnvironmental and Resource Economics Department, Hanoi University of Agriculture

Nguyen Van Song has a PhD in Environment & Natural Resource economics, with minor area of study in environment sciences. He is involved in numerous projects that relate to biodiversity conservation such as Specifi c Consultant Project for Indochina Trade Record Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce (TRAFFIC) – WWF (2003); Project leader of Primate conservation for potential threats to the Delacour’s

langur population at Van Long Reserve (2003); Leader of Economical valuation of wildlife trading polices of Vietnam (2007); Leader of Economic & Environment


39

aspects of Trade –off between economic growth and biodiversity conservation in Vietnam (2008); He is currently the Head of Environment & Resource Economics Department at the Hanoi University of Agriculture in Viet Nam.

Ms. Beria LeimonaProject Coordinator – Rewarding Upland Poor for Environmental ServicesWorld Agroforestry Centre

Beria Leimona is a project coordinator and researcher specializing in environmental services and community-based natural resource management issues with experience in natural resource governance and policy, environmental and social impact assessment, and institutional capacity strengthening. She develops and oversees pro-poor reward for environmental services initiatives in Asia with international

donor organizations, regional government partners, research and civil society organizations. She also applies experimental economics and natural resource governance to analyze and design solutions to enhancing environmental services, poverty alleviation, fairness and effi ciency issues of innovative rewards for environmental schemes, including the pro-poor carbon market and Climate Change mitigation. Ms. Leimona has a graduate degree in Landscape Architecture and Planning from the Bogor Agricultural University in Indonesia. She is a PhD candidate at the Wageningen Agricultural University in The Netherlands.

Mr. James PetersChief of PartyAsia Regional Biodiversity Conservation ProgrammeWinrock International

Jim Peters has 25 years experience supporting conservation and development in Asia and the Pacifi c. He now serves as the Chief of Party (Director) of the USAID supported fi ve-year, $9.3-million Asia Regional Biodiversity Conservation Program. This successful program established clear biodiversity conservation outcomes in the Dong Nai River Basin, developed a landmark economic incentives approach


40

based on clear, science-based conservation and development targets and innovative methodologies to achieve them, and then trained and supported GoV counterparts to implement it. The program’s major successes include targeted technical and fi nancial support for Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Prime Minister’s Offi ce to design, implement, evaluate, and adjust Vietnam’s innovative and landmark Payment for Forest Environmental Services Pilot Policy. Mr. Peters is currently supporting development of a full PFES decree expected to generate billions of USD for millions of people through Vietnam. Jim Peters has a PhD in Land Resources from the University of Wisconsin, USA.

Dr. Naoki AdachiExecutive DirectorJapan Business Initiative on Biodiversity

Dr. Naoki Adachi is the Executive Director at the Japan Business Initiative for Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity (JBIB) and, by profession, C.E.O. of Response Ability Inc., a consulting fi rm on corporate social responsibility. He was originally a research scientist of plant ecology and involved in a tropical forest study project in Malaysia. After coming back to Japan in 2002, he began to work for the

private sector as a consultant. He is now giving advice to leading companies in Japan to promote conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable procurement of natural resources.

Dr. Jose E. PadillaResource Economist, Philippines

Dr. Jose E. Padilla is a Filipino environmental and natural resource economist. He obtained his MSc (Resource Economics) from the Universiti Putrah Malaysia, his PhD (Economics) from Simon Fraser University, British Columbia, Canada, and completed his post doctoral fellowship from The World Fish Center. Dr. Padilla has extensive experience spanning over 20 years in the ASEAN countries and other


41

countries in Asia, particularly China. He is currently employed as staff consultant with the Asian Development Bank for the past four years, working primarily in the biodiversity focal area for ADB-Global Environment Facility projects. He also worked with the World Wildlife Fund and served as a consultant with the World Bank and the UNDP, among other agencies.

Dr. Marian S. de los Angeles (Co-Author: Valuing Biodiversity: Promises and Caveats)Senior Environmental EconomistThe World Bank Institute

Marian S. delos Angeles is a Senior Environmental Economist leading the World Bank Institute’s Environment and Natural Resources program, where she is responsible for overseeing world-wide capacity building programs addressing various topics, such as clean air, climate change, environmental governance, environmental and natural resource economics, and transforming

institutions for sustainable development. Prior to joining the Bank in 2004, she was Senior Environmental Policy Economist Southeast Asia at the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) that leads an action research initiative on developing mechanisms for payment for environmental services in Asia. Marian delos Angeles has extensive experience in environmental and natural resources accounting, valuation, and policy analysis and has published many articles in these fi elds. She holds a Ph. D. and M.A. in Economics from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of San Carlos.


42

CLOSING CEREMONY SPEAKERS

Mr. Rodrigo U. FuentesExecutive DirectorASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

Rod Fuentes is a sustainable development and urban and regional planning expert who served in various capacities as a consultant with the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, and the Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund’s and various United Nations agencies.He worked as an Environmental Offi cer of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacifi c (UNESCAP). He is a former Director of

the Environmental Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines and former advisor to the Secretariat of the UN Convention to Combat Desertifi cation (UNCCD), Bonn, Germany. Rod is also a recognized expert in environmental programme design and project development, policy and institutional assessment, environmental monitoring and assessment, and capacity development in environmental management and sustainable development.

Dr. Leong Chee Chiew Deputy Chief Executive Offi cer (Professional Development and Services Cluster)& Commissioner, Parks and RecreationNational Parks Board, Singapore

Dr Leong is Commissioner of Parks and Recreation in Singapore and Deputy Chief Executive Offi cer (Professional Development and Services Cluster) of National Parks Board. He serves on the boards of Garden City Fund, Singapore Environment Council and Singapore Garden City Private Limited. He is Chairman of Singapore Landscape Industry Council, Heritage Trees Panel and Workforce Safety and Health

(WSH) Landscaping Sub-committee, and co-chairs the inter-ministerial Technical Committee on Coastal and Marine Environment. He is also a member of the Coastal Protection and Management Steering Committee and the Workforce Safety and Health Council’s Construction and Landscaping Committee.


43

WELCOME DINNER CUM ASEAN NIGHT

The Welcome Dinner cum ASEAN Night is hosted by the National Parks Board, Singapore and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity on 21 October 2009 at 7 P.M. at the Agora Hall 2, Republic Polytechnic.

Launch of the Enhanced ASEAN Biodiversity Information Sharing Service

Enhancing data sharing capabilities is vital in light of the number of international environment agreements and the reporting requirements that need to be met by ASEAN Member States who are parties to the CBD, Convention on the International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), Ramsar Convention, Convention on Migratory Species, and the ASEAN Declaration on Heritage Parks.

As defi ned in the Vientiane Action Plan and as proposed through the programme areas of the ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity, a functional regional database or network of national databases containing inventory of the biological resource of the ASEAN Region will be established. This requirement rationalized the development of the Biodiversity Information Sharing Service (BISS) under the Biodiversity Information Management of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.

The BISS aims to reduce the burden of reporting to global biodiversity treaties by streamlining and facilitating the collation of various types of relevant information. It is a web-based information sharing platform for ASEAN Member States on biodiversity information. To date, BISS maintains minimal dataset on critical details like species name lists and protected area network data which are linked to global and regional data sources. The current BISS provides views of species by several taxonomic group and protected area information grouped into terrestrial, marine, and ASEAN Heritage Parks. Additional data gathered from the ASEAN Member States and global and regional data sources will eventually become part of the BISS platform.

During the launch, BISS contents and functions will be presented and sample uses of available biodiversity information will be discussed.


44

Promotion of the 2010 ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference and Book

ASEAN HERITAGE PARKS: A Journey to the Natural Wonders of Southeast Asia

The ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) are protected areas of high conservation importance that embody the aspirations of the peoples of ASEAN Member States to conserve the bounty and diversity of living organisms of their rich natural heritage. Specifi cally, AHPs are aimed at preserving a complete spectrum of representative ecosystems in Southeast Asia through the creation of and support for a regional network of representative protected areas and strengthened collaboration between ASEAN Member States.

In 1984, eleven parks and reserves were named as ASEAN Heritage Parks and Reserves when six ASEAN Member States: Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, signed the ASEAN Declaration of Heritage Parks and Reserves. To date, the AHP Programme covers 27 AHPs in 10 ASEAN Member States.

In 2004, the 1st ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference was held at Khao Yai National Park, an AHP in Thailand. The Conference emphasized the importance


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of the ASEAN Heritage Parks Programme with the following components: a) capacity development; b) Information sharing network; c) technical exchange programme; d) fi rst in line for available international funding; e) promotion of tourism; f) participation in joint research programme; g) biannual conference of managers; h) management improvement programme; and i) reporting to World heritage programme and other global programmes.

The 2nd ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference was held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia in 2007. The Conference drafted the Regional Action Plan for ASEAN Heritage Parks and Protected Areas.

In 2010, the 3rd ASEAN Heritage Parks will be held to determine common cooperation to conserve and manage AHPs for the development and implementation of a regional conservation and management action plan, as well as regional mechanisms complementary to and supportive of national efforts to implement conservation measures.

ACB will introduce the AHP book that it is producing with ASEAN Member States and the Institute for Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS): “ASEAN Heritage Parks: A Journey to the Natural Wonders of Southeast Asia.”

The book provides the following information:

- Profi les of each AHP (with high resolution photographs of the park itself and the wildlife)

- Stories from the fi eld (such involvement of communities, what visitors say about the park, new found species, popular attractions)

- Activities related to the Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA) of the CBD such as management effectiveness, communication, gap analysis, addressing threats, participation of communities, and capacity building.

Launch of the ASEAN Champions of Biodiversity

The ASEAN Champions of Biodiversity is a joint project of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the ASEAN Foundation (AF) to recognize outstanding achievements in biodiversity conservation and advocacy in the ASEAN region and contribute to the celebration of the International Year for Biodiversity in 2010.


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The project was borne out of the urgent need to generate a greater public and leadership awareness of the problems facing the region’s rich but highly threatened biodiversity, and the programmes initiated by corporations, youth, and media practitioners to help address the problems.

ACB and AF believe that increased awareness is crucial to creating a groundswell that will catalyze all sectors of society to promote biodiversity conservation. It needs people who can inspire others. Clearly, biodiversity is in urgent need of champions that people from various sectors can identify with; modern-day heroes who can bring biodiversity closer to everyone, and inspire them to take action and conserve biodiversity.

Specifi cally, the project aims to:

• Recognize outstanding achievements of the private/corporate sector, media, and youth in biodiversity conservation and advocacy and develop a cadre of champions who will serve as Ambassadors of Goodwill for biodiversity;

• Promote awareness of the value of biodiversity among ASEAN leaders and the public in general;

• Promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) in biodiversity conservation and advocacy;

• Encourage media to participate in biodiversity advocacy;• Engage the youth sector to participate in biodiversity conservation and

advocacy;• Further enhance linkages among ACB, the ASEAN Foundation, and the

private/corporate sector, media, and youth; and

Three awards will be given:

Business/Corporations – Most Outstanding Biodiversity Conservation and/or Advocacy Project by a Private Business/Corporation

Media – Most Outstanding Biodiversity Reportage and Advocacy by a Media Organization

Youth – Most Outstanding Biodiversity Conservation and/or Advocacy Project by a Youth Organization


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Awarding Ceremony for the ASEAN-wide Photo Contest “Zooming in on Biodiversity”

ACB recognizes that there is an urgent need to popularize biodiversity. One effective way to accomplish this is to use the power of photos. An old cliché but still very true, “a picture paints a thousand words”. By translating biodiversity and its relationship with health, food security, climate change and other everyday human issues into powerful images, ACB can generate a greater awareness for this often-diffi cult-to-grasp concept.

As part of its key thrust to promote regional public awareness on biodiversity conservation, ACB launched the ASEAN-wide photo contest “Zooming in on Biodiversity” during the International Day of Biodiversity celebrations in May 2009. The winners of the competition will be awarded during the Welcome Dinner cum ASEAN Night.

“Zooming in on Biodiversity” is a collaboration among ACB, the European Commission, UNESCO-Jakarta, MTV Philippines, and the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication.

Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus) Photo by Chalid Nasution, Indonesia

1st prize, Professional category


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Side Event A: APN Seminar Series on Biodiversity: Providing Scientifi c Knowledge to Civil Society and Preparing for CBD COP10

Organizer: The Asia-Pacifi c Network for Global Change Research (APN)22 October 2009, 1:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M., Agora Hall 1

Biodiversity was the central theme of the last three international seminars organized by APN with support from the Hyogo Prefectural Government, Japan, and DIVERSITAS in Western Pacifi c and Asia (DIWPA).

• International Seminar on “Pathways Towards a Sustainable Society with Biodiversity Conservation

• International Seminar on “Global Warming and Ecosystem/Biodiversity Changes: Facing the Challenge of Changing Ecosystems”

• International Seminar on “Biodiversity and Human Dimensions: Promoting Harmonious Coexistence”)

Aimed at raising the awareness of civil society on the importance of biodiversity for the Asia-Pacifi c region particularly in relation to human intervention and sustainable development, these seminars enabled APN to provide scientifi c knowledge to the public. APN’s side event at ACB2009 will showcase the signifi cant outputs of these seminars, which are also expected to be highlighted at the landmark CBD COP10.

SIDE EVENTS


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1:00 Introduction Mr. Tetsuro FujitsukaAPN Secretariat Director andChairperson of the Side Event

1:05 APN General Presentation Ms. Perlyn PulhinAPN Secretariat

1:15 Highlights of the three Biodiversity International Seminars• International Seminar on “Pathways

Towards a Sustainable Society with Biodiversity Conservation”

• International Seminar on “Global Warming and Ecosystem/Biodiversity Changes: Facing the Challenge of Changing Ecosystems”

• International Seminar on “Biodiversity and Human Dimensions: Promoting Harmonious Coexistence”)

Dr. Kanehiro KitayamaKyoto University

Dr. Mastura MahmudUniversity Kebangasaan Malaysia

1:35 Synthesis of the three seminars Mr. Rodrigo FuentesExecutive Director, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

1:45 Panel Discussion and/or Q&A Speakers to be led by Dr. Rodel Lasco, Philippine Programme Coordinator, World Agroforestry Centre

2:05 Way Forward: Preparation for CBD COP10

2:25 Wrap-up and Closing Mr. Tetsuro FujitsukaAPN Secretariat Director andChairperson of the Side Event

Contact Person:

Ms. Perlyn M. PulhinProgramme Offi cer for Communications and DevelopmentAsia-Pacifi c Network for Global Change Research (APN)Email: [email protected]: www.apn-gcr.org

Programme:


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Side Event B: Joint Effort by Malaysia and Japan towards the CBD’s 2010 Target in Sabah State

Organizer: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)22 October 2009, 1:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M., Agora Hall 4

The 2010 Target and “Bornean Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conservation (BBEC) Programme” were born in the same year. This session will present how the BBEC Programme has contributed to the Target since 2002. The programme is a joint endeavour of Sabah State agencies, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and NGOs to develop a comprehensive and sustainable conservation system in Sabah. Cooperative governance process has been strengthened with activities such as the registration of the 1st Ramsar wetland in Sabah and establishment of the Sabah Environmental Education Policy. Development of enabling environment for ABS is now led by the Sabah Biodiversity Centre.

Programme:

1:00 Opening Speech State Secretary of Sabah / VC-UMS

1:05 Implementation of a cross-sectoral approach for conservation with international assistance in Sabah

Mr. Motohiro HasegawaChief Advisor for BBEC IIJICA

1:20 Multi-level governance biodiversity: sharing the experiences of Sabah Biodiversity Centre

Dr. Abdul Fatah AmirDirectorSabah Biodiversity Centre

1:35 Contribution on research to conservation of Sabah

ITBC's capacity for carrying out bioprospecting activities in Sabah

Dr. Abdul Hamid AhmadDirector, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation (ITBC)Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS)

1:45 Community Input for the Governance of Indigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs)

Dr. Fadzilah Majid CookeAssociate ProfessorUniversity Malaysia Sabah

1:55 Panel Discussion Chairperson: Prof. Zakri A. HamidTuanku Chancellor ChairUniversiti Sains Malaysia

2:25 Closing Speech JICA HQ


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Contact Person:

Mr. Motohiro HasegawaJICA-BBEC II(Bornean Biodiversity & Ecosystems Conservation, Phase II)Natural Resources Offi ce of Sabah, MalaysiaE-mail: [email protected] URL (Japanese) http://www.bbec.sabah.gov.my/japanese/main_jp.phpURL (English) http://www.bbec.sabah.gov.my/phase2/main.php

Side Event C: REDD for Climate Change Mitigation and Biodiversity Conservation

Organizer: Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)22 October 2009, 1:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M., Agora Hall 3

Climate change and biodiversity are interlinked. Biodiversity is threatened by irresponsible human activities and will be increasingly affected negatively by the impact of climate change as some ecosystems and species are not able to adapt to the rising temperature and changing climatic pattern across the globe. At the same time, the continuing degradation of ecosystems and loss of biodiversity also contribute to the intensifi cation of climate change. One of the most prominent examples is deforestation, in which species are lost and stored carbon are released to the atmosphere. Biodiversity degradation and climate change are a two-way process; they reinforce each other. It is therefore important to have an integrated approach to tackle the challenges posed by the two.

One example is the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) mechanism. REDD is benefi cial for climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, as well as biodiversity conservation. REDD is highly potential to stabilise the atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations. At the same time, biodiversity conservation efforts – consequently sound ecosystems which could adapt better to climate change – will also benefi t positively from REDD. Therefore it is important that REDD mechanisms takes into account biodiversity concerns.


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The importance of REDD to reduce greenhouse gases and to preserve biological diversity is reiterated by the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) leaders at ASEM 7 through the Beijing Declaration on Sustainable Development in October 2008. However, with plenty of issues surrounding REDD to be agreed upon, the road to REDD implementation is still a long one.

Programme:

1:00 Welcome Remarks Prof. Leo Tan Wee Hin, ASEF Governor for Singapore

1:05

Overview of climate change negotiations on REDD

REDD from the conservation perspective – Pitfalls and opportunities for mutually addressing climate change and biodiversity conservation

Sustainable ecosystem management for carbon and other sustainability benefits – case studies from APFED

Chair: Prof. Leo Tan Wee Hin

Dr. Rodel Lasco, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)

Ms. Dinah Benick and Dr. Till Pistorius, University of Freiburg

Mr. Masanori Kobayashi, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)

1:50 Panel Discussion

2:25 Wrap-up by moderator

Contact Person:

Ms. Susanne WallenofferProject Executive Intellectual ExchangeAsia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)e-mail:[email protected]: http://www.asef.org | http://www.env.asef.org


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Side Event D: East and Southeast Asia Biodiversity Inventory Initiative (ESABII)

Organizer: Japan Ministry of Environment (ESABII)22 October 2009, 5:00 P.M. – 6:30 P.M., Agora Hall 3

The East and Southeast Asia Biodiversity Inventory Initiative was developed to achieve a signifi cant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional, and national levels. One main theme of the initiative is the development of biodiversity information inventories which can be used in aid of decision-making on biodiversity conservation policies. Another major theme is the promotion of taxonomy capacity building in the region for the development of biodiversity information and conservation policies.

This side event will introduce the concept and activities of the ESABII. It will also discuss the draft strategy of ESABII among the National Focal Points of the CBD and the Global Taxonomy Initiative, and researchers from the ASEAN region, China, Japan, Mongolia, and the Republic of Korea.

Provisional Programme:

5:00 Introduction of ESABII Biodiversity Center of JapanMinistry of Environment, Japan

5:05 Global Taxonomy Initiative in CBD Dr. Junko ShimuraGTI Programme OfficerConvention on Biological Diversity

5:15 Development of biodiversity information applicable for biodiversity conservation

Dr. Motomi ItoUniversity of Tokyo

5:25 Capacity building for fish taxonomy in Southeast Asia

Dr. Keiichi MatsuuraNational Museum of Nature and Science

5:35 Introduction of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network

Dr. Tetsukazu YaharaKyushu University

5:45 –6:30

Discussion on the development of ESABII Strategy


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Contact Person: Mr. Noriaki SakaguchiBiodiversity Center of JapanNature Conservation BureauMinistry of Environment, JapanE-mail: [email protected]

Side Event E: The State of Preparation for COP10 by the Government of Japan

Organizer: Japan Ministry of Environment23 October 2009, 1:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M., Agora Hall 3

The Tenth Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the CBD will take place in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan on 19 to 29 October 2010. COP10, which will be held during the International Year of Biodiversity, is expected to provide opportunities for evaluating the status of meeting the 2010 Biodiversity Target and discuss the steps beyond 2010.

In 2008, Japan launched a national campaign for the preparations for the Conference. A series of meetings and seminars were held with various leaders and stakeholders including CBD Executive Secretary Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf to prepare for the milestone event. In this side event, Japan’s Ministry of Environment will update participants on the state of preparations for COP10. The proposal on the post-2010 target will also be discussed.

The Japanese government will introduce the International Satoyama Initiative (ISI) which aims to advance socio-ecological production systems for biodiversity and human well-being. At the heart of ISI are the key concepts of living in harmony with nature and sustainably using the natural treasures that biodiversity offers. Japan is at the forefront of promoting this initiative.


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Provisional Programme:

1:30 Introduction of the preparation for COP 10 Mr. Kazuaki HoshinoDirector, Biodiversity Policy Division,Ministry of the Environment of Japan

1:35 Proposal on the post-2010 target Mr. Kazuaki HoshinoDirector, Biodiversity Policy Division,Ministry of the Environment of Japan

1:50 Introduction of the International Satoyama Initiative (ISI)

Mr. Yoshihiro NatoriSenior FellowUnited Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies

2:10 -2:30

Discussion

Contact Person:

Mr. Kazuaki HoshinoDirectorBiodiversity Policy DivisionE-mail: [email protected]


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PARALLEL EVENTS Note: These events are by invitation only.

Partners’ ForumOctober 22, 2009, 9:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

The Partners’ Forum is a half-day parallel session of the ACB2009, intended to brief the partner and donor community on the wealth of biodiversity in the region, the threats faced by biodiversity, the loss of biodiversity in the ASEAN region and its impact on global environmental sustainability, and the need for international cooperation to ensure the sustainability of biological resources.

ACB will also update the partner and donor community of its thrusts, including progress and efforts in reducing biodiversity loss in the ASEAN region; solicit support from the donor community for the implementation of priority programmes as identifi ed in the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity’s Organizational Strategic Framework; forge linkages and partnership with donors and discuss coordination and possible areas for collaboration; open dialogue between the ACB and representatives of the international partner and donor community bout biodiversity issues; and provide a venue for the partner and donor community to share their programmes, projects and activities on biodiversity matters.

ASEAN Heritage Parks Committee MeetingOctober 22, 2009, 2:45 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.

In the 19th Meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (AWGNCB) in Indonesia on 15-17 June 2009, it was recommended that a Committee and Secretariat for AHP should be formed to plan activities of the ASEAN Heritage Parks. The AHP committee is composed of managers of ASEAN Heritage Parks. The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity functions as the Secretariat of the Committee.

The Committee is conducting its fi rst meeting as one of the parallel sessions of the ASEAN Conference on Biodiversity to discuss the roles and responsibilities of the AHP Committee members; provide a forum to discuss the outputs of the 1st and 2nd ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference; discuss proposed activities of AHPs in 2010 onwards; and plan for the 3rd AHP Conference from 2010 onwards.


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Scientifi c Advisory Committee MeetingOctober 22, 2009, 2:45 P.M. – 7:00 P.M.

The Scientifi c Advisory Committee (SAC) was created with members from the ASEAN Member States to review, recommend, and approve proposals in accordance with the Guidelines for the Availment of Technical Assistance Resources for Joint Research/Initiatives on Biodiversity (JRI); serve as technical resource persons to AMS during the conduct of the research projects; spearhead the monitoring of ongoing and completed research projects; and participate and provide technical assistance in the conduct of other related activities of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.

The Committee held its fi rst meeting on 24-26 November 2008 to review 19 proposals. The members of the Committee are gathered on 22 October 2009 for their second meeting. The meeting seeks to introduce new SAC members; update SAC members on the status of implementation of the approved JRI projects in 2008 and 2009; and discuss future activities pertaining to JRI.


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Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve

Set in 130 hectares of mangroves, mudfl ats, ponds and secondary forest is a rare oasis of natural wonders and tranquility, home to unique plants and animals, as well as a wintering ground for migratory birds. The Sungei Buloh mangroves, situated in northwest Singapore, started humbly as a nature park when avid birdwatchers proposed to conserve this ecological jewel in 1986. Since January 2002, Sungei Buloh has been protected as a nature reserve in recognition of the valuable biodiversity that it harbours. It is a member of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership and is Singapore’s fi rst ASEAN Heritage Park.

National Orchid Garden

The National Orchid Garden (NOG), opened on 20 October 1995, is located on the highest hill in the Singapore Botanic Gardens and offers a permanent showcase of the largest display of orchids in the world. Three hectares of carefully landscaped slopes provide a setting for more than 60,000 orchid plants comprising 700 species and more than 3,000 hybrids. Some highlights in the NOG include the Cool House, which encloses a montane tropical forest where trees and rocks are draped with a profusion of spectacular orchids and fascinating carnivorous plants.

POST-CONFERENCE TOURS

An Asian Dowitcher (Limnodromus semipalmatus), a rarely seen wader at SBWR.

Photograph by Mendis Tan

Vanda Miss Joaquim, Singapore’s National Flower, is the fi rst registered plant hybrid from Singapore

Photograph by NParks


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HSBC TreeTop Walk at MacRitchie Reservoir Park

Located in the midst of our lush rain forest, the HSBC TreeTop Walk is a 250-metres-long suspension walkway between the two highest points in MacRitchie. With a maximum height of 25 metres from the forest fl oor, it offers a bird’s eye view of the community of plants and animals that live in the forest canopy. The MacRitchie forest contains the last substantial stands of mature secondary forest of more than 150 years old. Some 80 species of birds and 18 rare trees have been spotted in the forest.

Dairy Farm Nature Park (Singapore Quarry)

The Dairy Farm Nature Park was offi cially opened to the public on 5 September 2009. Located at the south-western end of the park, the Singapore Quarry offers visitors a tranquil setting with a scenic view. It is one of four former quarries in the Bukit Timah Hill area. Last used in the late 1980s, it has recently been restored into a wetland. It has attracted many fauna, including the Little Grebe, a critically endangered bird, as well as many species of dragonfl ies, many of which are rare.

Singapore Quarry, Dairy Farm Nature ParkPhotograph by Chris Woo

HSBC TreeTop Walk Photograph by NParks


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General Information

Venue and Meeting Arrangements

Venue Address

Republic Polytechnic 9 Woodlands Avenue 9, Singapore, 738964Website: http://rp.edu.sg/

Return Transfers from Hotel to Conference Venue

Please note that the organizers have arranged for transport from the four designated conference hotels to the conference venue every morning. Return transfers from the conference venue to the four designated hotels at designated times will also be provided. Please see tentative bus schedules, which may be subject to change.

Day 1: Wednesday, 21 October 2009

• Please be at the hotel lobby at 8:00 A.M. The buses will leave the hotel lobbies punctually by 8:10 A.M.

• Return transfers to hotels will be provided at 9:00 P.M. after the end of the Welcome Dinner cum ASEAN Night

Day 2: Thursday, 22 October 2009

• Please note that the buses will leave the hotel lobbies punctually at 8:15 A.M.• Return transfers to hotels will be provided at 7:30 P.M. after the end of the

day’s Side Event.


62

Day 3: Friday, 23 October 2009

• Please note that the buses will leave the hotel lobbies punctually at 8:15 A.M.• For those who have signed up for the fi eld trips, the bus will leave punctually

to the respective fi eld trips at 3:30 PM. • Return transfers to hotels for those who did not sign up for the fi eld trips will

also leave punctually at 3:30 P.M.• Kindly look out for the signages displayed on the buses and ensure that you

board the right bus. Should you miss your bus transfers in the morning, please fi nd below some information on how to get to Republic Polytechnic via public transport. *Please take note that transport costs incurred will not be reimbursed.

• For participants who wish to take the journey by bus and train, please approach the reception desk at your hotel for a copy of directions from your respective hotels. From the city, by public transport, it will take approximately 40-50 minutes (inclusive of transfers).

• For participants who wish to go by taxi:(i) Please inform the driver to go to Republic Polytechnic at Woodlands

Avenue 9(ii) Alight opposite the Multi-Storey Carpark Entrance (E2) and walk down the

stairs towards the Agora Halls Foyer(iii) The journey will take about 30 to 40 min depending on traffi c, and will

approximately cost S$35- S$40

You may call for a taxi from either of these providers:

• Comfort Transportation Pte Ltd and CityCab Pte Ltd: (+65) 6552 1111 • Smart Automobile Pte Ltd: (+65) 6485 7777


63

Documents for the Conference

Pre-session documents for the Conference will be made available at this website: acb2009.aseanbiodiversity.org

The organisers will not be providing hard copies of the documentation for the Conference. Electronic copies of the presentation materials will be distributed at the end of Day 3 and also made available online at the above conference website until the end of November 2009.

Wireless Internet Access at Republic Polytechnic

The Wi-Fi internet connection is free for all guests visiting Republic Polytechnic’s premises. To connect to the network, select “rpguest” under the available networks and click connect. There is no username or password required to connect to the network.

* Please take note that at certain periods during the conference, the internet connection

speed may slow down as it is also used by the students at Republic Polytechnic.

Dress Code

The dress code will be Business Formal for the Conference. Gentlemen: business suit with a tie Ladies: skirt with a business suit or jacket

For the Welcome Dinner cum ASEAN Night on Wednesday, 21 October 2009 at 7.00-9.00 P.M. hosted by the National Parks Board, Singapore and ACB participants are requested to wear their national attire. You may bring along your national attire and change at Republic Polytechnic before the Welcome Dinner commences.

Please approach the Information Desk should you require our assistance to safekeep your national attire for the day.


64

For the Post-Conference Tours on Friday, 23 October 2009, comfortable clothing is the recommended attire, for example sports shoes, sports sandals and a hat. . You may wish to bring along your attire for the fi eld trip to the conference and change before leaving for the fi eld trip.

Information Desk

Please approach the Information Desk for your information queries. We will do our best to help you with your queries.

Travel and Accommodation

Hotel Accommodation

A room has been reserved for you at one of the following hotels.

Hotel Miramar Singapore 401 Havelock Road Singapore 169631 Tel: (+65) 6733 0222 Website: http://www.miramar.com.sg/

Furama Riverfront Hotel 405 Havelock Road Singapore 169633 Tel: (+65) 6333 8898 Website: http://www.furama.com/riverfront/ Albert Court Hotel 180 Albert Street Singapore 189971 Tel: (+65) 6339 3939 Website: http://www.albertcourt.com.sg/


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Quality Hotel Singapore 201 Balestier Road Singapore 329926 Tel: (+65) 6355 9988 Website: http://www.qualityhotel.com.sg/

Reimbursement for Sponsored Participants (For Travel and Modest Allowance)

For ACB-sponsored participants, please note that reimbursement will only be effected on the 22 October 2009, second day of the Conference from 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. at the reimbursement room. Kindly ensure you bring along all your necessary receipts/ invoices and a photocopy of your passport.

Useful Information and Contact Numbers

Currency and Rate of Exchange

The Singapore currency is the Singapore Dollar (SGD). The current exchange rate (Oct 2009) is approximately 1 SGD=0.7 USD and 1 USD=1.47SGD. Currency exchange facilities are conveniently available in banks and hotels.

Electricity

The voltage and frequency in Singapore is 230V 50Hz, with Type G British 3-pin rectangular blade plug


66

General Inquiries and Emergency Contact Numbers

For general inquiries and emergencies, please contact:

Wendy YapAssistant Director (International Relations)Direct Line: (+65) 6465 1688Mobile: (+65) 96338562

Muslim Anshari RahmanSenior Biodiversity Offi cer (International Relations)Direct Line: (+65) 6465 1679Mobile: (+65) 9622 7213

For inquiries on hotel and accommodation only, please contact:

Rusyan Jill Mamiit-CoburnASEAN Centre for BiodiversityMobile: (+65) 935 99305

Key Conference Logistic Coordinators’ Contact Numbers

Secretariat Room Mr. Mirza Rifqi(Tel) +65 94233802

Side Events Mr. Jeremy Woon(Tel) +65 97479799

Parallel Events Ms. Rachel Lim(Tel) +65 96217039

Information DeskMr. Hassan Ibrahim(Tel) +65 81981903

Walane AquinoASEAN Centre for BiodiversityMobile: (+65) 842 15076


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The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and the National Parks Board, Singapore would like to express their appreciation to all partners for their generous fi nancial support and technical contribution in the design and organization of the ASEAN Conference on Biodiversity. The partners have extended generous support in fi nancing the participation of distinguished Co-Chairs and Speakers, as well as the participation of representatives from ASEAN Member States, and organizing the thematic sessions and side events.

Profi les of Conference Partners

Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia (EEPSEA)http://www.idrc.ca/eepsea/

The Economy and Environment Program for Southeast Asia was established in May 1993 to support training and research in environmental and resource economics. Its goal is to strengthen

local capacity for the economic analysis of environmental problems so that researchers can provide sound advice to policymakers. The program uses a networking approach to provide not only fi nancial support but meetings, resource persons, access to literature, publication outlets, and opportunities for comparative research across its nine member countries. These are Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Lao PDR, China, and Papua New Guinea.

EEPSEA’s structure consists of a Sponsors Group, comprising all donors contributing at least US$100 000 per year (currently IDRC, CIDA and Sida); an Advisory Committee of senior scholars and policy makers; and a small Secretariat in Singapore. EEPSEA is a project administered by the International

Acknowledgement


68

Development Research Centre of Canada (IDRC) on behalf of the Sponsors Group. IDRC is a public corporation created in 1970 to support research in developing countries.

United Nations University – Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS)http://www.ias.unu.edu/

The United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) is among the newest in the network of research and training centres within the UNU system . The Institute conducts research, postgraduate education

and capacity development, both in-house and in cooperation with an interactive network of academic institutions and international organizations.The thematic direction of our research concerns the interaction of social and natural systems. Thus, our research combines the social sciences with some of the physical and life sciences and is aimed at the development of informed policy-making to address global concerns.

World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)www.worldagroforestry.org

The World Agroforestry Centre is an autonomous, non-profi t research organization whose vision is a rural transformation in the developing world where smallholder households strategically increase their use of trees in agricultural

landscapes to improve their food security, nutrition, income, health, shelter, energy resources and environmental sustainability. The Centre generates science-based knowledge about the diverse role that trees play in agricultural landscapes, and uses its research to advance policies and practices that benefi t the poor and the environment.

It is one of the 15 centres of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and operates fi ve regional offi ces located in Brazil, Cameroon, Indonesia, Kenya, and Malawi, and conduct research in eighteen other countries around the developing world. We receive our funding from over 50 different governments, private foundations,


69

international organizations and regional development banks. Our current top ten donors are Canada, the European Union, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the World Bank.

Asia-Pacifi c Network for Global Change Research (APN)http://www.apn-gcr.org

The Asia-Pacifi c Network for Global Change Research (APN), established in 1996, is an intergovernmental network of 21 member

countries fostering global change (GC) research, including climate change, and capacity development in the region. One APN goal is to support regional cooperation in GC and sustainable development issues relevant to the region, particularly in developing countries. APN strengthens interactions among scientists and policy-makers and strives to provide scientifi c input to policy decision-making and scientifi c knowledge to the public. APN cooperates with international GC networks and organisations and tries to link the research it sponsors with the research conducted in other regions.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) - Bornean Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conservation (BBEC)http://www.jica.go.jp/english/

JICA provides bilateral aid in the form of technical cooperation, loan program and grant aid under Japan’s Offi cial Development Assistance (ODA) to contribute mainly in the areas of (1) global

issues, (2) poverty alleviation, (3) governance, (4) human security. Bornean Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conservation (BBEC) Programme is one of the technical cooperation projects, implemented in Sabah, Malaysia since 2002 among the Sabah State Government, Malaysian Federal Government and JICA. The BBEC Programme is now on the second phase, assisting to develop an integrated and durable conservation system in Sabah.


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Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF)http://www.asef.org/

ASEF is a Foundation that advances mutual understanding and collaboration between the people of Asia and Europe through intellectual, cultural, and people-to-people exchanges. It acts as

the civil society outreach of ASEM, and works as a platform for Asia-Europe dialogue to stimulate permanent networks that reinforce Asia-Europe bi-regional relations. It is the interface between civil society and ASEM governments, and consequently contributes to the ASEM process by generating unique recommendations for offi cials’ consideration. ASEF was established in February 1997 by the partners of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). Although based in Singapore, ASEF operates in all ASEM countries. ASEF is funded by contributions from ASEM partners. Most of ASEF projects are also supported fi nancially by civil society organisations, public institutions and enterprises ASEF works with. Since 1997, ASEF has initiated projects engaging 14,000 individuals from Asia and Europe.

Japan Ministry of Environmenthttp://www.env.go.jp/en/

The Ministry of the Environment of Japan, with “partnership” as a pillar - works on environmental problems in collaboration with citizens, businesses, local governments, and other countries

throughout the world.

The year 2010 is designated as the International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations. It was decided at the COP9 held in Germany in May 2008 that the Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will be held in the City of Nagoya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, in this milestone year. The Ministry of the Environment and the COP10 Promotion Committee organized the “Kick-Off Symposium for Biodiversity” in Nagoya city, Aichi Prefecture on 14 June 2008. The Ministry of Environment of Japan partners with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity to provide an update on the state of preparation for COP10.


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Profi les of Organizers

National Parks Board (NParks)www.nparks.gov.sg

National Parks Board (NParks) is responsible for providing and enhancing the greenery of the Garden City. Beyond green infrastructure, NParks is committed to enhancing the quality of life through creating memorable recreational experiences and lifestyles.

NParks manages 10% of Singapore’s total land area which

comprises over 50 major parks and 4 nature reserves. Adding to this is the extensive streetscape, or roadside greenery, that forms the backbone of our City in a Garden. An island-wide Park Connector Network is also being developed to link major parks and residential areas.

As Singapore’s scientifi c authority on nature conservation, NParks monitors and coordinates measures to ensure the health of Singapore’s biodiversity. This supports the overall thrust of our urban biodiversity conservation model, which aims to conserve representative eco-systems in land-scarce Singapore for future generations.

NParks is also the lead agency in the efforts to continually upgrade the Landscape Industry in Singapore. It works closely with industry partners to promote good work practices and create a thriving, innovative and professional industry that will support Singapore’s aspirations of being a City in a Garden.

ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)www.aseanbiodiversity.org

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity is an intergovernmental regional centre of excellence which facilitates cooperation among the members of ASEAN, and with relevant national governments, regional and international organizations on the

conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, guided by fair and equitable sharing of benefi ts arising from the use of such biodiversity.


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It was established in 2005 to assist the ASEAN Member States to protect and conserve its valuable and unique biodiversity resources.

The Centre supports ASEAN governments in the following areas that are of global and regional importance: agriculture and food security, including food certifi cation and biodiversity; access to, and fair and equitable sharing of benefi ts from biological and genetic resources; climate change and biodiversity conservation; ecotourism and biodiversity conservation; payment for ecosystems services scheme and valuation of biodiversity; wildlife enforcement; managing invasive alien species; peatland management and biodiversity; Global Taxonomic Initiative; support to the Program of Work on Protected Areas; and managing biodiversity information and knowledge. These areas have been identifi ed in the various Multilateral Environment Agreements such as the CBD, CITES. RAMSAR, and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, for which majority of the ASEAN Member States are parties. ACB’s core strategic goals are intended to benefi t the ASEAN Member States. These include:

1. Serving as an effective coordinative body to facilitate discussion and resolution of cross-country biodiversity conservation issues;

2. Providing a framework and mechanism for sharing information, experiences, best practices and lessons learned for effi cient access of ASEAN Member States;

3. Implementing a pro-active approach in monitoring and assessing biodiversity conservation status as a strategic approach towards identifying critical issues and future trends;

4. Delivering/facilitating conduct of capacity-building services and technology transfer through engaging relevant and appropriate expertise;

5. Enhancing common understanding of biodiversity conservation issues strengthening ASEAN regional positions in negotiations and in compliance with relevant multilateral environmental agreements;

6. Promoting regional public awareness to develop champions and enhance support at different stakeholder levels on biodiversity concerns; and

7. Undertaking innovative resource generation and mobilization measures to pursue impact activities that will enhance biodiversity conservation in the region.


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Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariatwww.aseansec.org

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN was established on 08 August 1967 in Bangkok by the fi ve original Member Countries, namely, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and

Thailand. Brunei Darussalam joined on 8 January 1984, Viet Nam on 28 July 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar on 23 July 1997, and Cambodia on 30 April 1999.

The ASEAN Declaration states that the aims and purposes of the Association are: (1) to accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region and (2) to promote regional peace and stability through abiding respect for justice and the rule of law in the relationship among countries in the region and adherence to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

The ASEAN Vision 2020, adopted by the ASEAN Leaders on the 30th Anniversary of ASEAN, agreed on a shared vision of ASEAN as a concert of Southeast Asian nations, outward looking, living in peace, stability and prosperity, bonded together in partnership in dynamic development and in a community of caring societies.

European Unionhttp://europa.eu/

The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political partnership between 27 democratic European countries which aims to achieve peace, prosperity and freedom for its 495 million citizens

— in a fairer, safer world. It was established by the Treaty of Maastricht in 1993 upon the foundations of the pre-existing European Economic Community.

Accomplishments have been achieved in the following areas: frontier-free travel and trade, the euro (the single European currency), safer food and a greener environment, better living standards in poorer regions, joint action on crime and terror, cheaper phone calls and air travel, millions of opportunities to study abroad.

Since its establishment, the EU has grown in size through the accession of new member states and has increased its powers by the addition of new policy areas to its remit.

acb2009.aseanbiodiversity.org