LAGUNA, Philippines – Boosting the capacities of ASEAN Member States in conserving and sustainably managing biodiversity across the region, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) launched the ACB Secondment Programme 2026 from February to May with two officers from Malaysia and Myanmar completing the programme.
Chosen for their current roles within their home organisations, experiences, and motivation, Malaysia’s Anne Malissa King, Wildlife Officer at the Sarawak Forestry Corporation, and Myanmar’s Su Yi Hnin, Staff Officer at the Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division, Forest Department, were given the opportunity to be immersed and gain practical experience in biodiversity mainstreaming, programme management, project development, knowledge management, and communication, education, and public awareness activities from the ACB’s various departments and divisions.
During their four-month engagement, the two officers worked on several key tasks. These included developing knowledge products on wetland management; supporting the Youth Leadership Training in Maludam National Park; assisting in the technical review of Youth Mapping National Reports for Malaysia and Myanmar; drafting a white paper on country-level needs and priorities related to ecosystem restoration in Myanmar and nature-based solution initiatives within Sarawak protected areas; supporting regional programme implementation; and sharing their expertise as special guests for an upcoming BiodiversiTalks episode.
This year’s Secondment Programme culminated with an in-person Exit Seminar on 8 June 2026 at the ACB Headquarters. In his opening remarks, ACB Executive Director Dr. Jerome Montemayor commended the two officers for their impactful engagements and an amazing journey of rediscovering ASEAN biodiversity. “This marks not the end of a meaningful learning journey, but rather, this is the beginning of continued mutual learning and exchanges between the ACB and the AMS. The ACB, especially the Secondment Programme Secretariat, wishes you more success and productive engagements as you return to your respective countries. Remember that you will always have a home in the ACB,” said Dr. Montemayor.
“The ACB Secondment Programme is a capacity development programme designed for the ASEAN Member States. It aims to promote direct participation of mid-career professionals from the government, non-government organisations, research and academia across the region to carry out selected regular functions of the ACB through short- and long-term assignments. Through training, knowledge exchange, and networking opportunities among seconded officers, ACB staff, and experts, the Programme helps build a stronger ASEAN community,” explained Oliver Agoncillo, Mainstreaming Biodiversity Division Director of the ACB.
During the seminar, the seconded officers shared their accomplishments, lessons learned, re-entry plans, and reflections on their contributions to the ACB and to their home organisations.
Anne shared fresh insights gained from her experiences during the Programme. “I joined the Secondment Programme to have a better understanding of how our work is contributing to the regional and global goals. True enough, I now have a better understanding of how we are actually contributing to global-local connectivity, including through our protected areas and the ASEAN Heritage Parks Programme,” she said.
During her turn, Su highlighted the new skills she acquired in communicating complex biodiversity concepts. “During my secondment journey, I gained more understanding of the need for effective communication and the whole-of-society approach to spread awareness because biodiversity conservation is deeply interconnected,” she cited.
The Secondment Programme likewise hopes to contribute to achieving Target 20 of the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan, which underscores the importance of strengthening capacities, scientific transfer, and technical cooperation among the ASEAN Member States by providing opportunities for gaining first-hand experience, interaction with regional and global biodiversity actors, and fostering a deep understanding of the ACB’s mandates and institutional processes.
Since 2013, the Programme has benefited the ACB and a diverse group of mid‑career and senior officials across the AMS through assignments ranging from two weeks to one year, where both short‑ and long‑term secondments have made significant contributions in their respective institutions as well as to the ACB. To date, there are a total of 48 alumni who have completed the Centre’s Secondment programme.
