The ACB
About Us
Who We Are
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), established in 2005, is ASEAN’s response to the challenge of biodiversity loss. It is an intergovernmental organisation that facilitates cooperation and coordination among the ten ASEAN Member States (AMS) and with regional and international organisations 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.
Our Beginnings
ACB’s beginnings date back to 1998 when the ten AMS established the ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity (ARCBC) Project with funding support from the European Union. The project was implemented with two key objectives:
a) intensify biodiversity conservation and;
b) promote institutional networking among ASEAN countries and between ASEAN and European Union partner organisations.
The outcome of the ARCBC Project was viewed as a productive flagship project. Prior to the project’s ending, the Environmental Ministers of ASEAN found the need to create an institution that would sustain the gains of the ARCBC Project. In 2005, the Environmental Ministers of ASEAN agreed to establish ACB.
The Establishment Agreement of ACB was ratified by the 10 AMS: Brunei Darussalam (19 May 2008), Cambodia (26 February 2016), Indonesia (18 December 2017), Lao PDR (2 October 2008), Malaysia (29 April 2013), Myanmar (8 July 2009), Philippines (14 July 2006), Singapore (28 October 2008), Thailand (19 February 2013), and Viet Nam (31 October 2006). The Host Country Agreement between ACB and the Philippines was ratified on 01 September 2006 and concurred by Philippine Senate on 14 September 2009.
Our Beginnings
Vision
Biodiversity in the ASEAN region is valued, conserved, sustainably managed, and the benefits derived from the use of thereof are equitably shared
Mission
To catalyse and scale up efforts on biodiversity valuation, conservation, sustainable management, and equitable sharing of benefits derived from the use thereof in the ASEAN Region
Our Goals
- Science-based decision-making and policymaking on biodiversity are supported and promoted
- The capacity of ASEAN to value, conserve, sustainably use, and manage biodiversity, and equitably share its benefits is improved
- Biodiversity considerations into the development processes of the ASEAN are mainstreamed
- Common understanding on biodiversity-related policies among the ASEAN Member States is fostered
- The sustainability of the ACB as a regional intergovernmental organisation and centre of excellence for biodiversity in the ASEAN is realised and ensured
We are ASEAN's response to the challenge of biodiversity loss
How We Are Organised
Who manages ACB
The Centre is managed by a Governing Board, which is composed of the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) and the ASEAN Secretary General. Headed by the Chairman of the ASOEN, the Governing Board has overall responsibility and accountability for the operations of ACB.
The ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (AWGNCB) provides technical guidance to ACB by recommending the key areas of focus for its work. The AWGNCB Members also act as ACB National Contact Points in their respective countries
Our People
ACB is headed by an Executive Director who is assisted by highly skilled professionals with international and national experiences in the areas of environment and biodiversity conservation, policy and programme development and coordination, finance and administration, information and knowledge management, and communication.
About the Executive Director
Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim is the current Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) where she leads the Centre in facilitating regional cooperation and coordination on biodiversity conservation for it to be sustainably managed and used, and equitably shared for the well-being of people. Some of her notable international roles in the conservation sector were as the Chair of the Convention on Biological Diversity Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (CBD-SBSTTA) from 2017 to 2018, Chair of the 15th and 18th Meetings of the ASEAN Working Group Meeting on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME) in 2014 and 2017, Chairperson of the 4th ASEAN Experts Group (AEG) on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) Meeting in 2006, and Chairperson of the 16th ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (AWGNCB), also in 2006.
Her core competencies and extensive experience and expertise are in local, regional, and international governance, management, policy development, implementation, and innovation, partnership-building, science and policy linkages, and advocacy in the fields of biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection.
Milestones
2005
The European Union and the ASEAN signed a financing agreement to support the establishment and full operationalization of ACB.ACB was established and officially launched during the 9th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting by the Environment Ministers of the ASEAN Member States.
2006
The Philippines became the first ASEAN Member State to ratify the ACB Establishment Agreement (EA) on 14 July 2006. Viet Nam ratified the EA on 31 October 2006. The Host Country Agreement between the Philippines and ACB was signed on 8 August 2006.
2007
ACB joined forces with the SCBD to act as a collaborative centre of excellence for the promotion of the three objectives of the CBD.
2008
ACB finalized a joint work plan with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD). Three more AMS ratified the Establishment Agreement: Brunei Darussalam (8 May 2008), Lao PDR (2 October 2008), and Singapore (28 October 2008).
2009
The Host Country Agreement between ACB and the Philippines entered into force after ratification by the Philippine Senate.The first ASEAN Conference on Biodiversity 2009 (ACB2009) was successfully conducted in Singapore. The ASEAN Heritage Parks Committee was formed and held its first meeting in October 2009. ACB held its first Partners’ Forum as a parallel session to ACB2009. ACB became a full-fledged international organization after Myanmar ratified ACB Establishment Agreement on 8 July 2009. Following Brunei Darussalam, Lao PDR, Philippines, Singapore and Viet Nam.
2010
Publication of the ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook. Publication of the ASEAN Heritage Parks: A Journey to the Natural Wonders of Southeast Asia. Completion of the Project: ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity supported by the European Union. The Biodiversity and Climate Change Project commenced with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
2011
The Government of the Philippines provided its full support to the Centre by funding its operations. ACB and its partners recognized the first batch of ASEAN Champions of Biodiversity from the business, youth and media sectors. Conversion of the ASEAN Biodiversity Information Sharing Service into the ASEAN Clearing-House Mechanism.
2012
Implementation of big projects, including the Biodiversity and Climate Change Project, the ASEAN-TEEB, and GTI. Superbrands awarded ACB with the Outstanding Dignitary Award for its work on biodiversity conservation and advocacy in Southeast Asia. Brunei became the first ASEAN Member State to contribute to the ASEAN Biodiversity Fund.
2013
Thailand ratified the ACB EA on 19 February 2013 and contributed to the ABF. Malaysia ratified the ACB EA on 29 April 2013. Started implementing six pilot projects in four AMS under the Biodiversity and Climate Change Project. Eight AMS supported by ACB in crafting national work plans on access and benefit sharing.
2014
Completion of the project on Building Capacity for Regionally Harmonized National Processes for Implementing Convention on Biological Diversity Provisions on Access and Benefit Sharing funded by UNEP-GEF. Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Singapore contributed to the ABF. ACB implemented the ASEAN Biodiversity Secondment Programme. ACB launched the mobile applications for CHM.
2015
ACB celebrated its 10th year anniversary with the theme “ACB and the ASEAN Member States, 2005 to 2015: A Decade of Cooperation on Biodiversity Conservation.” With the support from the Government of the Philippines, ACB started the construction of its new headquarters building. The EU committed to support ACB for 2015-2020 through the project Biodiversity Conservation and Management of Protected Areas in ASEAN. ACB started implementing the AHP Development through Capacity Enhancement and Information Management project under the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund. Implementation of projects under the ASEAN-German Cooperation, including the Institutional Strengthening of Biodiversity in ASEAN, Biodiversity-Based Products for Economic Development and Livelihoods, and the Small Grants Programme.
2016
The second Conference on Biodiversity (ACB2016) was successfully held in Bangkok, Thailand. On 2 February 2016, Cambodia ratified the ACB EA.