PH Mission in Geneva, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity Advance Knowledge-Sharing and Global Biodiversity in a Briefing with ASEAN Partners

ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) Executive Director Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim (left) and Geneva PM Permanent Representative Carlos D. Sorreta (center) address participants during the briefing. (Geneva PM photo)

GENEVA 05 February 2024 – The Philippine Permanent Mission in Geneva co-organized with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) a Briefing on Biodiversity and ASEAN Heritage Parks on 26 January 2024 at the Philippine Mission. The briefing was attended by experts from the ASEAN Missions in Geneva.

In his remarks, Philippine Ambassador Carlos D. Sorreta underscored the importance of biodiversity in the ASEAN region, which is expressed in the different decisions of the ASEAN Member states (AMS) and brought to life with the creation of the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity. He conveyed the interlinkage of biodiversity protection with other critical issues such as economic development using nature-based solutions, preservation of people’s livelihood using sustainable practices, and climate change. 

ACB Director Dr. Kris Baleva delivered a presentation on biodiversity in the ASEAN region, priority programme areas, as well as the biodiversity plan for 2030-2050. Meanwhile, ACB Executive Director Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim reported on the discussions and outcomes of the Bern III Conference on Cooperation among the Biodiversity-related Conventions for the Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework held on 23 to 25 January 2024 in Bern, Switzerland.

During the open forum, Dr. Lim explained that biodiversity issues extend beyond the protection of the environment. Economic development, wise use of resources, human rights, and trade are also inextricably linked with environmental priorities. She also noted the proposal to have different MEAs (multilateral environment agencies) enter into collaborative engagement for a cohesive and coherent implementation of intersecting programs given their mandate.

The briefing also included the results of Bern III which Dr. Lim attended on behalf of ACB. The Bern III meeting built on the momentum of its previous iterations on the establishment of a global action plan on the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Kunming-Montreal Protocol. She noted that funding support and the appropriate resources should be allotted to the various programs given that existing funding for the environment and MEAs is going to climate change initiatives, such as the loss and damage fund, following COP28.

The briefing is a knowledge-based and capacity-building initiative by the Mission intended to equip ASEAN Missions in Geneva in tackling and gaining an appreciation of environment-related topics in a shifting world. The briefing is also intended to integrate ASEAN with technical agencies to identify common grounds and support each other on intersecting issues. END

Dr. Kris Balleva talked about ASEAN Heritage Parks and the work of the ACB as the primary regional

institution helping ASEAN in the preservation and maintenance of the parks. (Geneva PM photo)

Ambassador Carlos Sorreta (center) and ACB Executive Director Mundita Lim (third from left) join several representatives of the ASEAN

Missions in Geneva during the Briefing on Biodiversity. (Geneva PM photo)

For more information, visit https://www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.facebook.com/PHinGeneva/ or https://www.instagram.com/phingeneva/.