ACB PRESS STATEMENT FOR ASEAN DAY 2026
Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor
Executive Director, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)
For the first time in almost seven years, a pair of endangered Mindanao bleeding-heart pigeons (Gallicolumba crinigera) was recently observed engaging in a courtship ritual, an indication of potential breeding activity, within Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, an ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP) in Davao Oriental, Philippines. After nearly four decades, a critically endangered Raffles’ banded langur (Presbytis femoralis) was spotted at the summit of another AHP, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore. Meanwhile, late last year, Flat-headed cats (Prionailurus planiceps) were seen through camera traps in the peat swamp forests of the Princess Sirindhorn Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand, after nearly three decades.
While recent sightings of these “long-hidden” species may be attributed to several factors like ecosystem recovery, news like this does not only renew our hope — it further amplifies the urgent need to improve protected area management and boost ecosystem restoration efforts to prevent, halt, and reverse habitat and biodiversity loss.
Target 2 of the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to restore 30 per cent of all degraded ecosystems by promoting science- and knowledge-based restoration efforts. This includes enhancing scientific knowledge exchange, incentivising best practices in the region, and supporting the establishment of nurseries and the enhancement of natural propagation sites for native plants and trees across the ASEAN.
Against this background, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), the region’s centre of excellence for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, is implementing the ASEAN Green Initiative (AGI), a recognition programme for outstanding ecosystem restoration efforts in Southeast Asia. The AGI encourages the planting of 10 million native trees across the ASEAN Member States for 10 years.
As a fitting way to celebrate wins for biodiversity this ASEAN Day, the ACB is delighted to announce the 2026 AGI awardees under the Medium-Scale Category:
- The Badas Tree Planting Project of the Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, was designed to restore degraded peat swamp forest ecosystems in Brunei Darussalam by increasing native tree cover, conserving globally threatened peatland dipterocarp species, enhancing carbon sequestration, implementing a science-based restoration model, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration.
- The Korbu Perak Arboretum and Rainforest Centre of the Free Tree Society Kuala Lumpur and the Perak Forestry Department, Malaysia planted native trees as part of their goal to reforest five hectares of degraded and logged forest reserve under a seven-year agreement. It also aims to establish a seed bank for rare and endangered dipterocarps and promote social forestry to improve local community livelihoods.
- The ALIMA Eco, Agri, and Heritage Park Development of the Philippines was implemented by the Tao Foundation, Nono Family, and local Indigenous culture bearers and scientists. The project was conceptualised to help restore degraded peatland forest ecosystems by growing native trees, planting gardens of indigenous crops and medicines, and integrating indigenous and modernist-scientific frameworks of conservation and food security in teaching the public through the School of Living Traditions.
- Daang Kalikasan Native Trees Arboretum and Ecological Restoration Initiative by the Pangasinan Native Trees Enthusiasts Inc. of the Philippines was implemented to conserve, propagate, and promote science-based restoration of Philippine native tree species. The project established a living arboretum and long-term sustainable maintenance systems, thereby providing educational opportunities and contributing to biodiversity conservation, watershed protection, climate resilience, and environmental awareness.
The AGI has three categories: large-scale (over 5,000 trees planted), medium-scale (101 to 5,000 native trees planted); and small-scale (up to 100 native trees planted).
The first batch of the AGI recognised in 2021, featured eight exemplary initiatives from Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Together, these initiatives were able to plant more than 1.4 million native trees in their respective areas.
Over 20 more ecosystem restoration initiatives across the region will be awarded under the Large-Scale Category of the AGI this year. The announcement and recognition ceremony for AGI cycle 2 is scheduled to be held back-to-back during the ASEAN Heritage Parks Forum in September 2026.
Other initiatives by the ACB
Apart from the AGI, the ACB will also start the call for nominations for the next ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes. The ABH Programme recognises ASEAN citizens with exemplary efforts for biodiversity conservation and sustainable management in their respective countries that are creating significant positive impacts in the region. The next ABH Awards will be held on the 60th founding anniversary of ASEAN.
In line with this year’s ASEAN Chairship of the Philippines, the ACB’s host country, the Centre is working with the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources in organising an AHP Forum in September this year. This event aims to showcase and facilitate the exchange of best practices and innovative approaches to AHP management from the Philippines and to contribute to the effective and sustainable management of protected areas across the ASEAN Member States. In addition, preparations are also underway for the ASEAN Joint Statement, and the ACB’s participation and the setting up of the ASEAN Pavilion at the 17th Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity scheduled in October this year at Yerevan, Armenia.
We call on governments, civil society, the private sector, and every citizen to be part of these efforts to protect our web of life. Together, let us continue navigating a sustainable and greener future for ASEAN.
Happy ASEAN Day!
