Outgoing executive director Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim handed a moss plaque symbolising ASEAN biodiversity to Ms. Clarissa C. Arida, Senior Director, Programmes Department and now the Acting Executive Director of the ACB.
LAGUNA, Philippines – After six years at the helm of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim officially ended her term through a simple turn-over ceremony at the ACB headquarters on Wednesday, 13 November 2024.
Dr. Lim became the fourth and the first female executive director of the ACB in 2018 after almost 15 years as the Director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Philippines’ Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
“Six years, six months, and 28 days ago, I took the leap from my comfort zone into uncharted territory. I had never managed an international organisation before, as most of my career had been dedicated to serving in the national government. This shift was both daunting and exciting, pushing me to navigate challenges that came with leading on a regional scale and adapting to a broader, more complex landscape of international collaboration,” said Dr. Lim in her farewell speech.
Despite the lockdowns over the course of the pandemic, Dr. Lim’s term was marked by significant milestones such as enhancing biodiversity conservation efforts in the region, declaration of 22 new ASEAN Heritage Parks, exploring innovative ways on mainstreaming biodiversity; promoting science-based policy and decision-making for biodiversity through knowledge management and reviving the Scientific Advisory Committee; and increasing stakeholder engagement by using creative means for more active engagement with key stakeholders and the general public, among many others.
“We really went through a lot together—weathering the challenges of the Covid pandemic, finding creative ways to keep the office running, and giving each other the emotional and mental support we needed during the lockdowns. It was a time that tested us, but we made it through together,” added Dr. Lim, and thanked each of the ACB departments and their respective directors for standing by her and supporting her mission to facilitate regional cooperation and collaboration for ASEAN biodiversity.
Notable accomplishments
Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Lim, the ACB portfolio was further strengthened—from forging new partnerships to conducting creative and impactful communication campaigns by engaging with well-known storytellers, as well as concluding big-ticket projects that activated youth participation and non-traditional allies.
Earlier this year, the ACB was designated as the world’s 18 regional and sub regional technical and scientific support centres for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The region likewise launched its own regional biodiversity strategy and action plan or the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan under Dr. Lim’s leadership.
During her time, the ACB was likewise accredited as an official observer in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), and consequently, in the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution (INC). Dr. Lim also revitalised the ASEAN Biodiversity Fund and has initiated several institutional reforms to enable the ACB to become the ASEAN region’s centre of excellence in biodiversity. This includes the creation of the Resource Mobilisation Unit that intended to promote sustainable financing for projects and programmes of the Centre. In 2022, she was elected as the Chair of the Global Partnership for Business and Biodiversity, a global network aiming to foster partnerships with the private sector to achieve global biodiversity targets. This inspired her to work closely with Indonesia, as ASEAN Chair in 2023, and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, to launch the ASEAN Business and Biodiversity Initiative. This initiative further strengthened efforts to integrate nature into business sustainability plans and encouraged the private sector to contribute meaningfully towards humanity’s goal of living in harmony with nature.
A portrait of ED Lim by Althea Roa, a Young ASEAN Storyteller, was presented by the members of the ACB Executive Committee as a farewell gift.
Messages of gratitude
Various partners, representatives from the ASEAN Member States, former colleagues, and notable personalities sent their messages of support and birthday greetings via recorded videos to the outgoing executive director well-known for her visionary leadership, strong management capabilities, and tireless work.
“On behalf of the Singapore Embassy in Manila, I want to wish you a very very Happy Birthday and warmest congratulations on the successful completion of your remarkable term as ED of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity. Thank you for your dedication and perseverance in promoting biodiversity in ASEAN. We truly appreciate your contributions. On behalf of the Singapore Embassy, I want to express our heartfelt appreciation to you and your outstanding team in the ACB for the invaluable support that you gave to us during the recent visit of His Excellency, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam last August,” said H.E. Ambassador Constance See from Singapore.
Indonesian Deputy Director of Species Preservation and Genetics, Badiah Achmad Said, likewise expressed her high regard for the ACB’s outgoing lady executive. “I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for your big contribution while leading the ACB. You have greatly helped Indonesia and other ASEAN Member States in implementing biodiversity conservation programmes—making our unity as an AMS truly meaningful,” she said.
While the ACB is in the process of selecting its new executive director, Ms. Clarissa Arida, current senior director of the ACB Programmes Department, will serve as the acting executive director of the Centre.
