ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity All Hands Break Out Meeting
Background ACB: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity Intergovernmental Organization Has MOU with CBD, thus directions based on MEA commitments, mostly CBD Has a Biodiversity Information Management Unit CHM and other thematic interests (ABS, TEEB, AHPs, GTI, IAS, PES, B&B, CC, Green, Blue Economy, etc.
How did ACB get started? Partnership between European Union Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Cooperation
ACB s mission To facilitate cooperation and coordination among the members of the ASEAN, and with relevant national governments, regional and international organizations, on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of such biodiversity in the ASEAN region
Operational Supervision Governing Board composed of the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) and the ASEAN Secretary General Technical Oversight: ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity
Enabling Mechanisms Agreement establishing the ACB signed by ASEAN Member States in 2005. Ratified by 7 countries (Brunei, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam) Host Country Agreement signed by the Philippine Government in 2006; concurred by the Philippine Senate in 2009 Financing provided by the European Community (Euro 6.0 M) and the ASEAN Member States (Euro 1.3 M) amounting to Euro 7.3 Million until mid 2009. (note: provided through the EC-ASEAN Financing Agreement, EC-ACB Contribution Agreement)
The Biodiversity Information Management Unit Thrusts and deliverables Enhance structure and presentation of interactive web-based information on biodiversity resources in the ASEAN Sustain data and information harmonization on biodiversity resources through increased data content in BIM holdings Enhance geo-spatial biodiversity information sharing service through knowledge sharing and information repatriation Bridge information from countries and institutions thereby generating data on biodiversity through improved information management
How is it funded? (after the EU support) Biodiversity Info Mgt is a core function and should be funded but Country contributions are inadequate Not a basic component of projects from other thematic interests Alternative / Current Arrangements Cost sharing with AMS Host country support 19 core staff, all the rest are project based / fund availability dependent
Does the ASEAN CHM Make Sense? Yes and functions as the ASEAN BON Increase in the number of functional CHMs Tools made available, development based on needs identified Species and PA databases, online, offline versions Orientation provided: use of interoperable databases, CHM establishment, mapping 5 TH NR Encoder Regional summaries species, threatened species, invasive species, PAs, AHP useful for reports, decision making, invites data contributions and updates chm.aseanbiodiversity.org
chm.aseanbiodiversity.org
What kind of thinking went into the creation of the ACB CHM / BON CBD CHM minimum requirements Need to integrate information from national CHMs ASEAN CHM growing incrementally as needs arise: Regional Analysis, Aichi Targets, E-library, FOB, collaboration with the BCCP Design was not a one off process, instead was incremental and needs based
What are the biggest challenges to starting the Regional CHM Political proving its usefulness, willingness to share, convincing FPs to orchestrate data contribution (partners, FAPs), sharing among a network of providers Resources allocating personnel time, funding Technical needs based development, targeting necessary MEA deliverables Lack of observation data not stored in interoperable formats
Possible Products to start with Easy to use databases for parties to organize and validate data at source, then share Trends and Maps useful for MEAs, CBD / Aichi Targets monitoring (canned or user defined) KMPs that Demonstrate use of data provided KBA maps Overlays (species vs biophysical parameters) Locality specific biodiversity information Research on target audience vs appropriate BD product
How can ACB help the Observation System for the region Easy to use database structures, free CHM shell with automated summaries, free Cost sharing arrangements for orientation, training (Brunei, Thailand, Myanmar, TL) Species summaries at the regional level PA List for NBASAPs, Aichi Targets Promote conservation at TB and subregional levels New tools
ACB and GEOBON Parallel strategic plan Structure Content Network Support a data sharing culture that should influence others in the network Share issues and means to address these Share uses of data: decision making, policy dev and MEA compliance
What works in the ASEAN Context.. Present lots of evidences of species data usefulness KBAs, IBAs, Gap Analysis, basis for speeches, issues, political platforms Use and distribution of freeware, easy to understand and use tools Assist in compliance requirements MEAs CBD, Ramsar, CMS, CITES, Continuous and incremental capacity building Networks of supporters Easy to understand and use tools Need to have answers for WHY and Whats in it for me/us. Make gov t data needs (KRAs etc) your deliverables
What doesnt work in the ASEAN Context.. No such thing as AUTOMATIC compliance to MEAs Contribution (data and funds) No approval, no action Biodiversity data collection as priority Use of biodiversity data for decision making Data sharing culture
Primary Users ASEAN Member States (AMS) Government Organizations NGOs Researchers, students Consultants Global / Regional Organizations Sub-regional projects
Role of Partners Define specific needs Data contributors Promote data sharing culture Use data, provide feedback Improve database structure Look out for funds, more partners
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