The United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies (including the Traditional Knowledge Initiative) is a partner of the conference organised by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the National Parks Board (NParks), Singapore.

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 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region discussed emerging trends, issues, and concerns on biodiversity conservation and sustainable management.

The conference assessed how ASEAN countries are faring against the 2010 Biodiversity Target of signifi cantly reducing biodiversity loss. The conference also discussed the next steps to be taken for biodiversity beyond 2010. The recommendations of the conference will be forwarded to the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment to be held on 30 October 2009.

Background

The ASEAN region is home to four of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots which are characterized both by exceptional levels of plant and animal endemism and by serious levels of habitat loss. Forest conversion, forest fires, shifting cultivation, large-scale mining, wildlife hunting and trading, population growth and poverty, climate change, and lack of appropriate conservation management policies all contribute to habitat destruction and the consequent loss of biological diversity. Biodiversity loss could trigger enormous effects on health and wealth. There is a need to unify efforts from all fronts to save and conserve biodiversity.

In 1992, the first global agreement for the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of the genetic resources was signed by 153 parties at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. To date, all 10 ASEAN Member States ‐ Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam are Parties to this Treaty.

At the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), the Parties to the CBD committed themselves to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional, and national levels as a contribution to poverty alleviation, and to the benefit of all life on Earth. The 2010 Biodiversity 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.

As 2010 draws near, the 2010 Biodiversity Target needs to be assessed and progress made has to be reported to the global community. ACB2009 will be held in preparation for the 10th Conference of Parties in Nagoya in 2010. ACB2009 will provide a forum for exchanging perspectives on initiatives that address biodiversity issues in the region, and discussing steps forward in advancing the ASEAN biodiversity agenda within the context of the 2010 Biodiversity Target.

Date: 21 - 23 October 2009

Time: 9:00am - 6:30pm ***Download booklet here [pdf]***

Location: Republic Polytechnic on 9 Woodlands Avenue 9, Singapore

City/ Country: Singapore