Ms. Binondo presents the outcomes of their group’s discussion on priority initiatives and possible voluntary commitments for ocean conservation.

MANILA, Philippines — The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) reaffirmed its dedication to advancing ocean conservation during the Philippine National Stakeholders Consultation Workshop in preparation for the third United Nations Ocean Conference 2025 (UNOC3) co-organised by the governments of France and Costa Rica. 

Held on 19–20 November 2024 at the Admiral Grand Suites, Manila, the workshop sought to align national strategies with Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water) and gather inputs for the Philippine delegation’s voluntary commitments to be presented in Nice, France, in June 2025.

Organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office, the workshop brought together representatives from government agencies, civil society organisations, academic institutions, and international experts. It highlighted collaborative approaches to conserving marine ecosystems, fostering sustainable fisheries, and amplifying the voice of the Philippines in global discussions on ocean sustainability.

As the region’s biodiversity champion, the ACB showcased its marine conservation project, Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS), as a cornerstone of its contributions to ocean conservation. The project aims to expand the coverage of effectively managed marine protected areas (MPAs) and establish MPA networks across the ASEAN region. It has 11 pilot sites in the participating ASEAN Member States of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand. The project is implemented by the United Nations Development Project through the funding of the Global Environment Facility, and with ACB as the executing agency. 

ASEAN ENMAPS also serves as a mechanism for implementing integrated coastal management and other conservation measures to achieve global targets and fulfill commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. “Through initiatives like ASEAN ENMAPS, the ACB is committed to facilitating collective action among ASEAN Member States to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity,” stated Ms. Claudia B. Binondo, ACB Director for Project Development Division. “This aligns with the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan, which emphasises coordinated efforts for biodiversity conservation, sustainable management, and equitable benefit-sharing.”

The workshop featured presentations from prominent experts and government officials and culminated in a validation of proposed voluntary commitments: 

1. Conserving, sustainably managing, and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems, including deep-sea ecosystems.
2. Supporting sustainable fisheries management, with an emphasis on empowering small-scale fishers.

The ACB’s participation underscored its role as a vital partner in regional and global efforts to achieve the SDG 14 targets. By leveraging science, partnerships, and regional collaboration, the ACB continues to champion marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable management across the ASEAN seas