The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) Resource Facility are expanding their collaboration through the ASEAN ENMAPS project in order to promote sustainable marine conservation across Southeast Asia. During a meeting held on 17 September 2024, the two organisations discussed strategic initiatives that will strengthen efforts to protect vital marine ecosystems in Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
The project Effective Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS), focuses on enhancing the management of marine protected areas (MPAs) by implementing holistic approaches such as integrated coastal management (ICM), marine spatial planning (MSP), and the ecosystem approach to fisheries management (EAFM). These methods are essential for ensuring the health and sustainability of marine biodiversity, which are critical to the livelihoods and economies of the region.
As part of this expanded collaboration, PEMSEA will lead the project’s capacity-building initiatives, equipping local stakeholders with the knowledge and tools to implement ICM, MSP, and EAFM effectively. By fostering these capabilities, the project aims to develop sustainable coastal and marine management practices that address pressing environmental challenges such as overfishing, habitat degradation, and the impacts of climate change.
The ACB and PEMSEA Resource Facility have a long history of partnership, working together to advance the objectives of the Sustainable Development Strategy for the Seas of East Asia (SDS-SEA). This strategy outlines action plans to mitigate both natural and human-induced hazards that threaten coastal and marine ecosystems. The ASEAN ENMAPS project is directly aligned with the SDS-SEA’s goals, serving as a critical initiative to safeguard marine biodiversity in the region.
The ASEAN ENMAPS project is being implemented in 11 pilot sites within the Large Marine Ecosystems of Indonesia,the Philippines, and Thailand. Supported by the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme in Asia and the Pacific, the project aims to create a model for sustainable marine conservation that can be replicated throughout the ASEAN region.
Both organisations are committed to deepening their partnership through ASEAN ENMAPS, reflecting a shared vision of a future where Southeast Asia’s marine resources are sustainably managed for the benefit of all.