Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is the first head of state to visit the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, the only ASEAN Centre hosted by the Philippines.
L-R: Philippine Department of Health Secretary Dr. Teodoro Herbosa, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Mr. Medardo Macaraig, University of the Philippines President Angelo Jimenez, Mrs. Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam, President Tharman, ACB Executive Director Dr. Theresa Mundita Lim, Ambassador of Singapore to the Philippines Ms. Constance See, ACB Programmes Director Clarissa Arida, Minister Grace Fu, and Parliament Members Ms. Mariam Jaafar, and Mr. Henry Kwek
LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA – As part of his State Visit to the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnman visited the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) headquarters situated in Mt. Makiling Forest Reserve, an ASEAN Heritage Park, on 17 August 2024.
In her opening message, ACB Executive Director Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim remarked that the visit reflects Singapore’s shared commitment with the ACB to sustain the rich natural heritage in the ASEAN region.
“Your presence here today inspires us to double our efforts in delivering our mandate, knowing that Singapore is one with us in playing a pivotal role in sustaining the biodiversity richness in the ASEAN region” she said.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and ACB Executive Director Theresa Mundita Lim
The ACB is currently working with Singapore in the protection of migratory birds and their wetland habitats through the ASEAN Flyway Network, as well as in promoting urban greening and city biodiversity.
“These efforts not only address biodiversity loss in the region, but also help increase our resilience against climate change impacts, contribute to water security and to the overall health and wellbeing of ASEAN citizens,” Dr. Lim explained.
The ACB has also partnered with Mandai Nature in developing a conservation action plan for the region’s threatened species.
ASEAN Heritage Parks, such as Singapore’s Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, showcase how protecting wetlands can achieve multiple benefits—as nature-based solutions to support migratory bird populations while safeguarding coastal areas from storm surges, sea level rise, and erosion.
ACB hands over a painting of the Negros Bleeding-heart pigeon by Samantha Kaspar, a Fil-Swiss talented artist diagnosed with autism.
L-R: Singapore Parliament Member Mariam Jaafar, Minister Grace Fu, President Tharman, Mrs. Tharman, ACB Executive Director Lim, ACB Programmes Director Clarissa Arida, and Ambassador Constance See
During the visit, ACB Director for Biodiversity Knowledge Management Dr. Arvin Diesmos presented the ASEAN Biodiversity Dashboard. This online platform organises available biodiversity-related information in the region and offers interactive features in visualising trends and geographic variation in biodiversity indicators. These are beneficial in conservation planning, monitoring, and science-based decision making.
To commemorate this historic visit and the 57th ASEAN Day, President Tharman plants a narra seedling at the ACB Headquarters.
Narra, the Philippine national tree, is also native to Singapore.
This marks the first visit of a head of state to the ACB headquarters. To commemorate this and the 57th Founding Anniversary of the ASEAN, President Tharman planted a narra tree (Pterocarpus indicus) at the ACB. Known as Angsana in Singapore, this sturdy and resilient tree plays a vital role in the ecosystem—by providing habitat to various species, preventing soil erosion, maintaining good water quality, and serving as raw material for medicine and shelter. The narra seedling was provided by the Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems.
The President was joined by his spouse, Mrs. Jane Ittogi Shanmugaratnam; Ms. Grace Fu Hai Yien, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-Charge of Trade Relations, and Ms. Constance See, Ambassador of Singapore to the Philippines. University of the Philippines President Atty. Angelo Jimenez and University of the Philippines Los Baños Chancellor Dr. Jose Camacho Jr. were also present at the ACB Headquarters during the visit.
About the ACB
The ACB is one of the 18 regional and subregional technical and scientific cooperation support centres for the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It was established in 2005 as ASEAN’s response to the challenge of biodiversity loss. The Centre facilitates cooperation and coordination among the ASEAN Member States and different regional and global dialogue and development partners to intensify regional actions on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of such natural treasures.– end
