ACB PRESS STATEMENT ON THE INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM 2026
Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor
Executive Director, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)
Our efforts are working! From being widely considered as one of the most threatened ecosystems due to rapid deforestation, a study released last month reported that mangrove forest cover has steadily increased through natural regeneration and restoration initiatives since 2010.
On this year’s International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) celebrates this global achievement and continues to call on governments, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, youth, women’s groups, civil society, and the private sector to continue ecosystem conservation and restoration initiatives to sustain and accelerate the progress we have achieved so far.
In addition to being home to a diverse range of wildlife species, mangroves provide food and other raw materials, sustain livelihoods, and have protected shorelines and those who live in coastal areas from large waves, storms, and tsunamis. With around 40 per cent, the largest concentration of mangroves in the world, the ASEAN region is also home to the largest blue carbon ecosystems.
Blue carbon ecosystems, such as mangroves, seagrasses, and peatlands, play an important role in climate mitigation. These are actual nature-based solutions that store carbon to remove excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to mitigate global warming. It is estimated that these ecosystems capture 55 per cent of the world’s carbon, more efficiently than terrestrial forests. Another study published last month estimates that mangrove and seagrass ecosystems in the ASEAN region cover more than seven million hectares. This substantial carbon reservoir can store more than 850 megatonnes of carbon in coastal soils, which then translates to a net climate benefit of 44.6 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.
Regional frameworks
Cognisant of the importance of mangroves as part of blue carbon ecosystems, the ASEAN Member States developed the ASEAN Strategy on Sustainable Mangrove Ecosystem Management. This document offers a strategic framework that guides actions and integrates science, policy, community engagement, and international cooperation to promote the resilience and vitality of the region’s mangrove ecosystems, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and continue to contribute to the well-being of coastal communities and those who depend on these resources. Blue carbon is also part of the ASEAN Blue Economy Implementation Plan for Sustainability and Prosperity, which was released in December 2025 to operationalise the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework. This plan recognises how healthy blue carbon ecosystems are valuable natural resources that need to be secured to achieve long-term economic growth for the region. One of its expected outcomes is the strengthening and standardising of approaches to blue carbon and biodiversity markets to ensure that carbon and biodiversity credits are credible, traceable, and compatible with international markets.
Blue carbon ecosystems directly support the realisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 by serving as natural solutions to the climate crisis. This regional roadmap aims to enhance climate change mitigation and adaptation—reducing vulnerability, and promoting a resilient and sustainable ASEAN community.
Furthermore, these initiatives contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 11, 13, and 14, and are likewise aligned with the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Target 2 of these frameworks aims to restore 30 per cent of all degraded ecosystems by promoting science- and knowledge-based terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine restoration.
ASEAN efforts
To support this target, the ACB, in partnership with the Global Environment Centre, is likewise implementing the Enhancing Conservation and Restoration of Wetlands and Peatlands in ASEAN as Effective Sinks and Reservoirs of Greenhouse Gases project, an initiative funded by the UK Mission to ASEAN through the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund. The project aims to create science-based and practical methods to protect carbon-rich ecosystems, such as wetlands and peatlands, to protect biodiversity in the region. In the project pilot sites, the Maludam National Park in Sarawak, Malaysia, and the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Agusan del Sur, Philippines, interventions in the form of micro-grants are being proposed to restore wetlands and peatlands while providing livelihood support to the community. Nursery establishment for native species and other nature-based solutions, including practical intervention to strengthen fire prevention, were also proposed.
The ACB likewise promotes data sharing and knowledge management on mangroves to the general public through the ASEAN Biodiversity Dashboard, an online interactive platform for visualising trends and geographic variation in biodiversity indicators.
In addition, the ACB is also engaged in various communication, education, and public awareness (CEPA) activities. Earlier this year, Mangrove Matters PH, supported by the ACB, published Mangroves for YOUth, a workbook that aims to help primary school students understand the importance of mangroves, their unique features, and their vital role in protecting coastal communities and supporting biodiversity. This project was implemented through the third edition of the Conservation Action Fund, a subprogramme of the ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Programme, with support from the ACB Small Grants Programme II.
Just ahead of International Mangrove Day, the ACB co-organised a webinar featuring a panel of ASEAN Flyway Network experts showcasing integrated management practices protecting mangroves and coastal ecosystems, which are vital habitats of migratory waterbirds in the flyway and as nature-based solutions to climate resilience. Some of the sites cited for their notable mangrove rehabilitation practices and bird conservation were Bang Pu Nature Education Center – an ASEAN Heritage Park, Ban Pak Thale in Thailand, and Pulau Rambut Wildlife Sanctuary in Indonesia. The webinar was held in partnership with WWF Hong Kong (Wetlands for Asian Flyways Initiative), East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership, National Parks Board of Singapore, the Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia, FEED Thailand, and the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand.
Although progress has been made globally, these valuable natural resources continue to face threats, and significant losses are still reported in different parts of the globe. International Mangrove Day challenges all of us to become active stewards of our blue carbon ecosystems – mangroves, seagrasses, and peatlands. There are many ways in which we can take part in this shared responsibility. One can participate in mangrove planting and growing activities, ensuring that the right species are used in the appropriate areas. We can likewise promote and patronise sustainable businesses, reduce plastic pollution, actively take part in CEPA activities, and generously support the youth engaged in biodiversity conservation, climate action, and blue economy solutions.
All hope is not lost at all. Let us continue and further accelerate the momentum we have gained these past years. May the recovery of mangrove ecosystems inspire us to do more and reach out to more people to become champions of ASEAN biodiversity!
