The 12th Meeting of the ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) Committee in Thailand was attended by more than 100 representatives from the ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, ASEAN Heritage Parks Committee, and various partners. Photo by: DNP Thailand
BANGKOK, Thailand – Seeking to further enhance regional conservation efforts by expanding the scope of protected areas, a number of national parks and nature reserves across the region are being considered for inclusion to the ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) network. This was discussed during the 12th AHP Committee held on 26 May 2025.
The AHP Committee noted ongoing nominations of three sites in Malaysia: Tengku Hassanal Wildlife Reserve; Bako National Park; and Lambir Hills National Park. Possible new nominations were also raised namely, the Doi Inthanon National Park (Thailand), and Mt. Balatukan Range National Park (Philippines).
One of ASEAN’s flagship initiatives, the ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) Programme was designed to build a network of protected areas that best represent the region’s shared natural heritage. The now 63 AHPs in the region were given the distinction due to their ecological and biological richness and effective protected area management.
DNP Director-General Athapol Charoenshunsa reiterated that Thailand remains committed to the ASEAN Declaration on Heritage Parks and continues to align its actions with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Photo by: DNP Thailand
Mr. Athapol Charoenshunsa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plan Conservation (DNP) in Thailand, expressed appreciation for the opportunity to host the 12th AHP Committee Meeting and welcome the ASEAN Member States, the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, AHP Committee Members, ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), and other partners.
The Director-General congratulated Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor, the newly-sworn Executive Director of the ACB, which is the lead organisation for regional cooperation in biodiversity conservation in ASEAN. ‘’With over two decades of experience in ecosystem management, biodiversity conservation, and international environmental policy implementation, I am confident that his leadership will further strengthen the ACB’s vital role in promoting regional cooperation for biodiversity conservation across ASEAN. This meeting serves as a key platform that reflects our strong ASEAN collaboration in conserving natural resources and enhancing the effective management of protected areas,’’ said Mr. Attapol.
Mr. Athapol also placed strong focus on the following global targets: conserving at least 30% of our national territory by 2030 or “30×30 mission” (Target 3), restoring degraded ecosystems (Target 2), mainstreaming biodiversity across all sectors of development (Target 14), and promoting inclusive participation from all stakeholders to achieve truly sustainable natural resource management (Target 22).
The AHP Programme under the new helm
ACB Executive Director Dr. Jerome Montemayor underscored the importance of regional collaboration for biodiversity conservation in his opening remarks at the 12th AHP Committee Meeting. Photo by: DNP Thailand
Recently-inducted ACB Executive Director Dr. Jerome L, Montemayor, a peatland expert and development professional, thanked the ASEAN Secretariat and the AHP Committee members for the constant guidance, support, and cooperation for the programme over the years. He promised to “actively pursue opportunities to expand our partnerships and enhance sustainable funding, ensuring a more robust and well-managed network of ASEAN Heritage Parks.’’ The ACB serves as the Secretariat to the AHP programme.
Various projects for the AHPs were discussed in the meeting such as, the Small Grants Programme by the ACB, the Effectively Managing Ecological Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS), ASEAN Flyway Network (AFN), and Enhancing Conservation and Restoration of Wetlands and Peatlands in ASEAN as Effective Sinks and Reservoirs of Greenhouse Gases (EnCORE Wetlands). Being declared as an AHP opens opportunities for: forging partnerships to improve protected area management; building capacity on species conservation, sustainable livelihoods, wildlife law enforcement, and awareness raising, among others; and sharing of best practices and experiences within the network.
The ACB boosts regional collaboration on biodiversity through the ASEAN Heritage Parks and safeguards the region’s protected areas to support climate change adaptation and mitigation, food security, livelihood support, and poverty reduction. Photo by: DNP Thailand
Thailand hosted this year’s AHP Committee Meeting back-to-back with other significant regional meetings such as the Consultation Workshop on the Updating of the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan and the 35th ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity Meeting.
