CALOOCAN CITY, Aug. 9 (PIA) -- The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) on Saturday underscored the linkages of biodiversity and health and regional efforts to integrate biodiversity conservation into the COVID-19 mitigation and response.
“The global pandemic has underscored the urgency of more robust health systems and economic structures. Moreover, the crisis also brought to light the value of integrating biodiversity concerns into health and socio-economic programmes and policies,” ACB Executive Director Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim told the PIA-NCR.
“Clearly, ensuring intersectoral cohesion will not only guarantee the sustainable use of our rich biological resources, but will also redound to our well-being and survival and contribute to national and regional economic recovery, as well,” Lim said.
The official said nature-based solutions are vital to prevent future pandemics through cross-sectoral collaboration and multi-stakeholder engagement, as part of ASEAN’s agenda on mainstreaming biodiversity across relevant sectors.
“The ACB recently supported a study on the state of use of economic values of ecosystems services in decision-making processes in the ASEAN. Results of the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Assessment and Economic Analysis for Management, Policy and Innovative Financing Applications (BESA++) pointed out the need for countries to recognize the contribution of biodiversity to economic development,” she explained.
“The results may be utilized for determining trade-offs and future priority actions as we move towards building back without compromising the environment,” she added.
The ACB revealed that among sectors most affected by the pandemic is the tourism sector, which in 2018 accounted for 12.6 per cent of the ASEAN economy.
“In fact, a large percentage of the types of tourism in the ASEAN region are nature-based and some 80 percent of the ASEAN Heritage Parks are tourism destinations,” Lim said.
“Through the ASEAN Heritage Parks Programme, a flagship initiative of the ASEAN, the ACB is mobilising necessary support to help maintain the quality of biodiversity attractions in AHPs during this crisis in preparation for the gradual re-opening of tourism,” she added.
Lim said the active participation of all the ASEAN Member States in the crafting of the global biodiversity framework is an opportunity for the Region to develop long-term strategies to create a new normal that further integrates environmental protection and conservation into its various pillars.
“This endeavour will only be possible through meaningful partnerships and greater regional cooperation,” she said.
To recall, since its establishment 53 years ago, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has forged ahead and stood united in the face of adversities and challenges.
This year’s theme for the ASEAN summit, “Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN in 2020” has been regarded as most apt amid the global health crisis and the compounded consequences of climate change as the ASEAN Member States unite on joint strategies to keep people and the environment safe.
The ACB, for its part, has reaffirmed its commitment to the Region’s principles and vision through its continued support to the Member States in advancing the Region’s biodiversity agenda in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its immediate and long-term consequences. (PIA NCR)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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