The ICHP 2025 commenced with a keynote address by Undersecretary Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr. of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Messages were also delivered by ACB Executive Director Jerome L. Montemayor; TCP Secretary-General Benjamin P. Reyes; Atty. Jennifer Tauli Corpuz, a newly appointed Member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; and Deputy Assistant Secretary Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III of the DFA-UNIO Office.
To promote impactful conservation actions that are grounded in local traditions, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), in partnership with the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs – Office of United Nations and International Organizations (DFA-UNIO) and The Colombo Plan (TCP), organised the first International Conference on Heritage Parks from 1 to 3 October 2025 in Manila, Philippines.
With the theme “Biodiversity and Culture: Strengthening South-South Cooperation on Shared Heritage”, ICHP facilitated South-South exchange of knowledge and experiences in strengthening biodiversity conservation efforts and driving climate resilience within conservation spaces, such as protected areas and heritage parks, as well as other effective area-based conservation areas. It highlights the importance of integrating traditional knowledge, cultural norms, and inclusive approaches in conservation. It aligns with global frameworks like the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement, which prioritise inclusivity, gender equality, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities for sustainable development.
During the opening plenary session, ACB Executive Director Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor said, “We at the ACB firmly believe that Indigenous Peoples and local communities are significant contributors to our various initiatives, flagship programmes and ongoing projects. Such is the brand of conservation of the ACB, harnessing the synergy between the cultural practices and the scientific knowledge and innovation adapted to the multicultural society of Southeast Asia.”
TCP Secretary-General Dr. Benjamin P. Reyes stressed the critical role of biodiversity conservation among the flagship programs of the TCP and its 28 member countries, stating, “Out of all these priorities, none is more important in ensuring humanity’s survival than the preservation of the environment and addressing climate change issues.” He also highlighted how biodiversity loss harms human health, food security, and economies; causes cultural disruptions; increases disease risk; and worsens climate change by weakening ecosystem resilience.
The programme also included messages from Atty. Jennifer Tauli Corpuz, a newly Appointed Member of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and from Deputy Assistant Secretary Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III, of the DFA-UNIO Office. The opening session then concluded with a keynote speech by the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which was delivered by Undersecretary for Legal and Administration Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr. He focused on highlighting the vital role of protected areas and other area-based conservation measures in showcasing solutions rooted in diversity and inclusivity while emphasising the convergence of diverse governance systems, cultural practices, and aspirations across ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific, and beyond.
The ICHP 2025 included five sessions, with panel discussions covering conservation approaches, norms and traditions in protected spaces, and innovations and enterprises for inclusive conservation.
The ICHP 2025 gathered more than a hundred policymakers, protected area managers, Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Local Communities (LCs), women, youth, knowledge institutions, environmental organisations, and private sector representatives from 13 countries from ASEAN, the wider Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, and beyond. It focused on three core thematic areas: Conservation Norms and Traditions in Protected Spaces, Innovations and Enterprises for Inclusive Conservation, and Partnerships for Nature and Culture in Heritage Parks.
The conference also included a special screening of A Thousand Forests, a 2024 film directed by Hanz Florentino and presented by I.Syoot Multimedia Production in partnership with the University of the Philippines Los Baños – College of Forestry and Natural Resources. Set against a breathtaking lush green background, the movie follows five teenagers on a journey to discover their inner strengths while gaining insights on pressing environmental issues.
One of the key outputs of the conference is the Pledge of Commitment on the Conservation of Biodiversity and Traditions in Heritage Parks—a joint, non-binding statement from all participants to strengthen multisectoral partnerships for nature and culture in conservation. Specifically, it is a collective dedication to the following: upholding conservation norms and traditions of IPs and LCs; fostering innovation and conservation-focused enterprises which include and are driven by IPs, LCs, women, and youth, and that reinforce cultural preservation, as applicable, alongside environmental protection; and strengthening partnerships and South-South cooperation for nature and culture.
DFA Assistant Secretary Maria Teresa T. Almojuela joins ACB Executive Director Jerome L. Montemayor and TCP Secretary-General Benjamin P. Reyes in signing the Pledge of Commitment on the Conservation of Biodiversity and Traditions in Heritage Parks during the Community Banquet at the end of the second day of the ICHP.
The three-day conference concluded with a visit to the ACB Headquarters and a brief discussion with the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems. It also included hands-on activities on natural dye printing and freestyle weaving at the Makiling Botanic Gardens inside the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, an ASEAN Heritage Park in Los Baños, Laguna.
The third day of the conference featured a visit to the ACB Headquarters and its #ExploreASEAN Knowledge Hub as well as activities at the Makiling Botanic Gardens.
To amplify the outcomes of ICHP, a side event will be held at the UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, Brazil, in November 2025. This global platform will showcase the conference’s key outcomes and reinforce the link between biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage, and climate action. –END–
