The ASEAN region, endowed with extraordinary biological richness, stands at a defining moment in its sustainable development journey. Its terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems rank among the most diverse and productive on Earth. These ecosystems underpin food security, sustain livelihoods, anchor cultural heritage, and strengthen climate resilience for more than 700 million people. The ongoing triple planetary crisis, characterised by biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, poses a growing threat to these vital ecosystems. Tackling this crisis at the regional level requires a whole-of-society approach.
The strategies to address this crisis require closer alignment of regional actions—guided by the ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (AWGNCB) and the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan (ABP)—with global commitments under Sustainable Development Goals and various multilateral environmental agreements, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). Furthermore, these necessitate the effective implementation of actions at the local level.
Building on achieving several success stories, including the development of the National Policy on Biological Diversity 2022-2030 aligned with the KMGBF, the implementation of an Ecological Fiscal Transfer for Biodiversity Conservation, the employment of community rangers, the implementation of a large-scale ecosystem restoration programme, the development of a globally award-winning clearing-house mechanism, and the establishment of a platform for business and biodiversity, Malaysia is determined to continue its leadership role in advancing regional cooperation on nature and biodiversity conservation.
Malaysia’s priorities are to accelerate collective actions towards operationalising regional and global commitments, promote transboundary collaboration, and strengthen resource mobilisation. This mission goes beyond mere diplomacy. It is essential not only for regional inclusivity and sustainability as guided by the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, but also for the country’s development trajectory and long-term economic resilience.
Operationalising regional and global commitments
Recognising the benefits of collective action in achieving sustainable development and promoting a clean and green environment, the ASEAN Leaders resolved to intensify cooperation in addressing problems associated with the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. AWGNCB is envisioned as a consultative platform to deepen regional coordination and cooperation in addressing problems associated with natural resources and biodiversity. It is tasked to undertake concrete actions to protect, conserve, and sustainably manage the region’s rich biological diversity.
The ABP seeks to enhance coordination among the ASEAN Member States to address ASEAN community-wide concerns related to biodiversity through region-wide approaches and complement the Member States’ efforts in implementing their respective National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans.
In this view, the ABP details the regional targets, strategies, and key actions to be undertaken by ASEAN Member States to achieve significant biodiversity conservation outputs whilst harmonising their efforts to achieve KMGBF. The approach to strengthening regional coordination, improving monitoring and reporting systems, mobilising sustainable financing, and promoting science-based policymaking will enhance the visibility and effectiveness of ASEAN Member States’ efforts.
Promoting transboundary collaboration
Effective biodiversity management requires transboundary cooperation because our web of life knows no national boundaries. From its majestic mountains to its deepest waters, the ASEAN region continues to lose critically important species due to anthropogenic factors such as illegal wildlife trade. Evidence shows that transboundary collaboration in combating illegal wildlife trade has resulted in effective enforcement in the region. These collaborative efforts are also important for the conservation of ASEAN’s extensive coastlines and marine ecosystems to support the region’s emerging Blue Economy. Moving beyond site-based initiatives by weaving ecological corridors creates an interconnected safety net that cradles life, ensures sustainable livelihoods, and guarantees a resilient and shared future.
Mobilising resources
To advance the biodiversity agenda, significant support mechanisms—particularly adequate, predictable, and easily accessible financial resources, capacity-building opportunities, technical and scientific cooperation, and effective technology transfer—must be in place. The recognition of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity as one of the regional and subregional technical and scientific cooperation support centres by the CBD puts it in a strategic position to help ASEAN Member States acquire these resources for the realisation of the regional and global biodiversity frameworks.
Strategic partnerships remain vital to the success of the AWGNCB and the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan. This is evidenced by the European Union’s Technical Assistance Facility to the ASEAN Green Team Europe Initiative (TAF-GTEI) initiative, Germany’s (KfW) Small Grants Programme, and targeted conservation efforts for wetlands and migratory birds supported by Japan and New Zealand. Furthermore, the United Kingdom’s work on peatlands and the Hanns Seidel Foundation’s commitment to the ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Programme (AYBP) ensure a comprehensive approach to regional environmental resilience.
Translating vision into action
In close collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity during the Eighth ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference in Viet Nam, Malaysia has initiated a roundtable discussion side event to support the ASEAN Member States in implementing National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, preparing 7th National Reports for the CBD, and developing the ASEAN Joint Statement for the Seventeenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD.
Malaysia demonstrated its commitment to biodiversity conservation last year with the addition of three protected areas: Tengku Hassanal Wildlife Reserve, Bako National Park, and Lambir Hills National Park to the regional network of ASEAN Heritage Parks. This inclusion is a significant achievement.
Youth in Malaysia are actively involved in regional conservation advocacy, recognised as capable partners in this effort. The alumni of the AYBP consistently contribute to the programme’s regional objectives through groups such as the Global Youth Biodiversity Network Malaysia Chapter and the Sarawak Eco Warriors.
Looking ahead
The path forward will be directed by targets and goals focused on achieving concrete outcomes. These are designed to align with and support relevant ASEAN frameworks, plans, and flagship programmes. Key initiatives include the ASEAN Heritage Parks, the ASEAN Green Initiative, the ASEAN Youth Biodiversity Programme, and the ASEAN Business and Biodiversity Initiative, alongside more specific and relevant cross-sectoral strategies such as the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy 2023-2030, the One Health Joint Plan of Action 2022-2026, the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework and Implementation Plan, the ASEAN Action Plan on Invasive Alien Species Management, the ASEAN Strategy for Preventing the Transmission of Zoonotic Diseases from Wildlife Trade, the Threatened Species Action Plan for ASEAN, and the ASEAN Work Program on Urban Biodiversity and Greenery.
Collective action by ASEAN Member States is needed across several critical areas: managing protected areas; mainstreaming biodiversity across sectors; accelerating ecosystem restoration; ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the utilisation of biological resources; enhancing urban biodiversity conservation; managing invasive alien species effectively; promoting communication, education, and public awareness; and implementing knowledge management for biodiversity conservation.
Together, through the AWGNCB platform, chaired by Malaysia from 2026 to 2028, these actions form a comprehensive and coordinated pathway toward maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet, and delivering essential benefits for all people. Malaysia’s rallying call for inclusivity and sustainability during its ASEAN Chairship in 2025 reiterated the need to act as one strong community in protecting and conserving ASEAN’s biodiversity. Building on this momentum, the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship in 2026 continues to prioritise sustainable development, ensuring that these regional efforts remain a central pillar of economic vitality and cultural identity.
