Furama Riverfront Hotel, Singapore
7-9 May 2025
OPENING REMARKS
Ms. Clarissa C. Arida
Acting Executive Director, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
To:
Ms. Hwang Yu-Ning CEO, National Parks Board, Singapore and all the senior managers and staff present here;
Mr. Keith Conway Deputy High Commissioner, New Zealand High Commission in Singapore,
Ms. Yang Shufen, ASEAN Flyway Network Chair & Director, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve,
Mr. Suh Seung Oh, Executive Director, Ramsar Regional Centre-East Asia
Ms. Jennifer George, Chief Executive, East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) Secretariat and all the officials,
Mr. Vinayagan Dharmarajah, Asian Regional Director, BirdLifeย International, officials and representatives from the ASEAN Member States,
Fellow conservationists and advocates from various organisations – Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Mandai Nature, World Wildlife Fund Singapore, Nature Society Singapore, Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Bird Society of Singapore
Colleagues from the ACB, partners, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning!
It is my great pleasure to welcome all of you here at the Communication, Education, and Public Awareness or CEPA Learning Forum and Workshop for the ASEAN Flyway Network. This gathering of dedicated individuals is a testament to our common missionโto protect and preserve the migratory bird pathways in the ASEAN region and safeguard the vital ecosystems that support them.
In March 2017, we reached a significant milestone with the establishment of the AFN. Composed of AMS focal points, flyway site managers, and key partners from local, national, and international levels, the AFN reinforces the collective strength needed for meaningful conservation efforts for migratory waterbirds and wetlands across the region. I vividly remember the inaugural meeting of the AFN here in Singapore in 2017, and since then, the AFN has come a long way in terms of supporting the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats.
But despite these gains, wetlands across Southeast Asia remain under increasing stress due to land and sea use changes, overexploitation, climate change, pollution, and the spread of invasive alien species. Since these migratory species traverse national borders facing similar challenges,ย regional cooperation is indeed essential for conserving and safeguarding the interconnected network of our wetlands. Through the AFN Phase I and II projects, we were able to sustain a well-functioning network that helps ensure that the conservation of these important wetland habitats remains a priority of the region. These joint efforts play a vital role not just in securing the future of migratory waterbirds but also in advancing the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. For that, we thank the National Parks Board of Singapore and the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund for their generous support in making the goals of the earlier phases of the AFN project possible.ย
One crucial but often overlooked component of our conservation efforts is the effective and strategic communication of the ecological and socio-economic value of migratory birds and their habitats. Awareness raising is a fundamental step that may lead to changes in behaviour, and eventually foster cooperation among various stakeholders such as policymakers, local communities, like-minded organisations, and youth, among others.ย
This three-day event provides a platform for learning, sharing, and inspiring action for effective ASEAN flyway conservation. Through insightful discussions and practical strategies, we aim to empower our AFN site managers and conservation leaders in the region with practical tools and innovative strategies necessary to drive meaningful change. We hope to deep dive into our individual and collective experiences to better appreciate the ecological, cultural, and socio-economic importance of wetland habitats and migratory waterbirds. Further capacity-building will also be part of the agenda for AFN national focal points, flyway site managers, and CEPA experts. After this workshop,ย we aim to develop a regional CEPA Strategy that would outline effective communication tools, outreach activities, and stakeholder engagement activities for the AFN.ย ย
Later today, we will all witness the AFN official video featuring clips of the national capacity-building workshops conducted in each AMS, the wonders of ASEAN wetlands, and the migratory birds along our flyway. I hope this video will encourage and inspire us as we play our respective roles in this shared mission.
We also have a CEPA Marketplace, where all information, communication, and education materials are displayed on the surrounding tables. I hope these will give you ideas on crafting effective and engaging content and visual aids as promotions for your respective sites.
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Government of New Zealand for being our newest partner in strengthening the Network. This meaningful event would not have been possible without their support, and without our generous host, Singapore.
To our dear participants, I trust that the learning and insights shared over the course of this forum and workshop will lead to a better future for wetlands and waterbird conservation and for the next generation who will benefit from our efforts, for your respective sites and in the ASEAN region.
Last but not the least, we express our sincere gratitude to the Government of Singapore, our host AMS for this important event, through NParksโwhich for the past eight years, has been the lead AMS on this important regional initiativeโthe AFN, for the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their wetland habitats. Singapore as a City in Nature, demonstrates the concept of Shared Spaces: Creating Bird-friendly Cities and Communities which is the theme of the World Migratory Bird Day 2025 coming up on 10th May. Indeed, this is a fitting regional event for this global celebration!
I am certain that this will beThank you, and Iย a a productive and inspiring conversation this week and beyond.
