Representatives from the ASEAN Member States and the ASEAN Secretariat received plaques of appreciation during the ACB’s celebration of its 20th anniversary.
Wrapping up a series of activities celebrating its 20th anniversary, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) held Harmony for Biodiversity – an evening dedicated to celebrating the important contributions of over a hundred partners from governments and different sectors to the ACB’s conservation and advocacy initiatives.
Held on 25 September, the event recognised the ASEAN Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, and institutions from the ACB’s host country – the Philippines – for being staunch advocates of the ACB’s initiatives, as well as longstanding and completed partnerships with different countries, like-minded organisations, and representatives from the business community and the media.
The Philippines’ BusinessMirror was among the media partners honoured by the ACB in communicating biodiversity to the public. Other media organisations that were recognised include GMA Integrated News, People’s Television Network Philippines, Philippine Information Agency, CALABARZON, Born to Be Wild, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Borneo Bulletin, DZRH Radyo Henyo, Radyo DZLB, MindaNews, Bernama, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, and a special recognition to GMA 7 broadcast journalist Mr. Howie Severino.
During his opening message, ACB Executive Director Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor honoured those who have contributed to the ACB’s biodiversity initiatives and the Centre’s future projects. “This evening’s programme brings to life the ASEAN brand of conservation, which is true to its roots and cultural heritage while adhering to global scientific standards. We want to honour those who helped build the ACB and will help shape it in the future.”
“As we look towards 2025 and beyond, we need closer collaboration with all of you to achieve our aspirations towards a greener, more prosperous, and happier ASEAN region, with a more developed economy and thriving biodiversity. The past two decades have been remarkable, but the years that lie ahead, I believe, are more exciting chapters. The ACB@20 anniversary is not simply just a milestone anniversary but a testament to the strength of our partnership,” he continued.
The Metro Pacific Investments Corporation was recognised for being one of the pioneer programme partners of the ACB from the private sector.
For two decades, the ACB was able to work with over 60 conservation and advocacy partners such as the European Union, the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund, Germany through GIZ and KfW Development Bank, the UK Government, and Global Environment Facility, among others. The Centre has established connections with 264 academic, research, and scientific institutions, museums for biodiversity data and information sharing. Since 2014, the Centre has been able to implement 29 conservation projects worth USD 59.5 M or PhP 3.4 B with 22 development and dialogue partners. Under the project, Small Grants Programme by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (SGP I and SGP II), the total investment allocated was EUR 19.39M for 169 biodiversity conservation and livelihood projects in 10 ASEAN Heritage Parks in Indonesia, Myanmar, and Viet Nam. Under Phase I of the project, more than 60 biodiversity-based products were developed and more than 3,000 members of the local community took part in livelihood and capacity-building activities, while restoring 108,879 hectares of forest area.
The ASEAN Heritage Parks Programme, the region’s flagship programme for biodiversity conservation managed by the ACB, has expanded from its original 11 to 69 protected areas of outstanding ecological importance. The network now covers 11.94 million hectares or about 13% of the total protected areas in Southeast Asia. Through the Centre’s ASEAN Green Initiative, a total of 1.43 million native trees were planted across the region. Furthermore, the ACB maintained a 10-member Scientific Advisory Committee and engaged more than 100 experts across the region specialising in biodiversity and related fields. It also managed to record four million species with images and gathered and processed about 22 million species through its ASEAN Biodiversity Dashboard. For communication and public awareness, the ACB produced 19 inspiring Biodiversity Heroes, 62 Young Biodiversity Leaders, and 20 Young ASEAN Storytellers who amplify youth voices and empower young people as changemakers for the environment.
Through a recorded video message, His Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, ASEAN Secretary-General, sent his greetings for the occasion. According to him, “The success of the ACB is more than a reflection of ASEAN cooperation. It is proof that our region can generate solutions with global relevance. As we confront the twin challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, the knowledge, partnerships, and leadership fostered by ACB will be indispensable in shaping policies and actions that safeguard our shared future.”
In closing, he said, “Let us commit together to ensuring that in the next twenty years, the ACB not only strengthens biodiversity conservation in ASEAN but also helps shape global efforts to address climate change, safeguard ecosystems, and secure a sustainable future for all generations to come.”
The Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources represented by Atty. Ernesto Adobo, Jr., Undersecretary for Legal and Administration, reaffirmed the commitment of the Philippine government as country host of the ACB.
Representing the Philippines as host country for the ACB, Undersecretary for Legal and Administration of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Atty. Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr. also delivered a message during the opening programme, where he called the guests’ attention to the importance of the ACB’s work for the natural heritage of the ASEAN. “The theme, Harmony for Biodiversity, resonates deeply with our shared mission. Living in harmony with nature is not merely a poetic ideal—it is an urgent necessity. The challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and unsustainable resource use demand that we reimagine our relationship with the natural world and act collectively to safeguard it…For the past twenty years, the ACB has stood as a unifying platform for ASEAN Member States, policymakers, scientists, communities, and development partners. Together, you have nurtured partnerships that remind us that the conservation of biodiversity is not the work of governments alone but a shared responsibility across sectors—among youth, women, indigenous peoples, local communities, the business sector, and the media”, he said.
Ms. Ana Marie L. Hernando, Assistant Secretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (ASEAN Affairs), received the plaque of recognition from the ACB for actively supporting the Centre’s mission to promote regional collaboration and international cooperation on biodiversity.
One of the highlights of the event was the ACB’s presentation of awards to several individuals considered pillars of the establishment of the ACB. Among the recipients was Ambassador Delia Albert, former Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines.
Known as the “Godmother of the ACB”, Ambassador Delia Albert briefly shared the story of how the Centre was established and how she was able to gain support from ASEAN, the EU, and the Philippines to host the ACB.
True to its name, Harmony for Biodiversity also featured both serene and lively musical performances, including a song from Young ASEAN Storyteller from Malaysia, Lavinya Kalai Chelvan performed her original piece ‘Hutan Yek’ or My Forest, Filipino singers Jona and Erik Santos, Harmonya: The String Ensemble of UPLB, and the Muntinlupa Yaman ng Kalinangan Dance Company. These performances from various artists exemplified that with all voices being heard and with inclusivity and participation from all sectors, a life in harmony with nature is within reach.
ACB officials, staff, and country managers pose for a group photo.
Harmony for Biodiversity and the series of events for the ACB’s 20th anniversary were conducted in collaboration with Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Eton Properties Philippines Inc., Aboitiz Foundation, EcoBar, the University of the Philippines Los Baños, the Los Baños Science Community Foundation, Inc., and the Municipality of Los Baños. -END-
