Background

The ASEAN is formally launched the ASEAN Green Initiative (AGI) on 06 August a region-wide programme that aims to ramp up restoration efforts and plant at least 10 million native trees in a span of 10 years and usher in a tree-planting movement in the region.

The AGI targets to build the momentum for more coordinated efforts that are anchored on sound scientific principles by recognising outstanding tree planting and reforestation activities across the region.

The virtual launch, which was led by the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), featured inspiring messages and stories from representatives of ASEAN Member States, international community, private sectors, local communities, and ordinary citizens on how each one has a role in making meaningful change towards a more resilient and more sustainable future. People and groups at every level are leading the way in planting seeds that hopefully will not only grow into trees, but seeds that will pave the way for new ways for living, working, and growing together.

His Excellency Kung Phoak
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN
ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community

“The AGI and all these national initiatives illustrate the strong commitment in ASEAN to contribute in achieving the targets under the UN Declaration on Ecosystem Restoration. Through the AGI, we hope to encourage and incentivise the planting of at least 10 million native trees and mangroves throughout the region over the next decades”.

Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim
Executive Director
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

“Planting 10 million native trees and vegetation is just a start. Through the AGI, we hope to encourage and inspire people and organisations so that we can expand this target within and beyond 10 years.”

Ms. Norsham Binti Abdul Latip
“We hope the various national agenda on ecosystem restoration of the ASEAN Member States contribute to the ASEAN Green Initiative and thus promote the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Committee Blueprint 2025 and the ASEAN strategic plan on the environment towards the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.”

Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema
Executive Secretary
Convention on Biological Diversity

“The AGI, a recognition programme and mobilisation for action, including in urban areas, is a way to both advance restoration, as well as raise awareness amongst many stakeholders… This must be a decade of action and transformation in support of ecosystem restoration.”

H.E. Igor Driesmans
European Union Ambassador to the ASEAN

“Whatever we do for nature, we do it for ourselves, we do it for the prosperity and the economic recovery, the well-being and health of the current and the future generation.”

H.E. Thomas Graf
Chargé d’affaires
Embassy of Germany in Jakarta, Indonesia,

“We are confident that through this robust and vibrant cooperation, we, ASEAN, the EU and the Germany, together we can all build back better and greener.”

Ms. Antoinette Taus
(Host and BiodiversiTalks Moderator)
UN Environment Programme’s National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines
Founder and CEO
Communities Organised for Resource Allocation (CORA)

Mr. Paul Foster
(Host and BiodiversiTalks Moderator)
Singapore-based actor, host, and environmental advocate

The pilot edition of BiodiversiTalks, a moderated panel discussion that features subject matter experts on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration in the region, had been the one of the highlights of the AGI launch. On its kick-off episode, representatives from the ASEAN Member States (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand); Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, representing the private sector; Communities Organized for Resource Allocation (CORA), a non-profit organisation focusing on addressing hunger, poverty, inequality, and the environment; and 2020 UNDP Equator Prize winner, Boon Rueang Wetland Forest Conservation Group, a community-based organisation in Thailand; shared their ongoing tree planting and reforestation efforts as part of their contributions to the ecosystem restoration movement.

Ms Noralinda Haji Ibrahim
Director of Forestry
Forestry Department, Ministry of Primary Resources & Tourism
Brunei Darussalam

Mr. Veosavanh Saysavanh
Technical Staff
Protected Area Management Division
Department of Forestry
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Lao PDR

Mr. Haji Mohd Ridzuwan bin Endut
Director
Silviculture & Forest Biodiversity Conservation Division
Forestry Department Peninsular
Malaysia

Dr. Adrian Loo
Group Director
Wildlife Management and Senior Director, Community Projects, NParks
Singapore

Dr. Benchamaporn Wattanatongchai
Director
Biodiversity National Focal Point Section Biodiversity Management Division Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning
Thailand

Ms. June Cheryl Cabal-Revilla
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer
Metro Pacific Investments Corporation
Philippines

Ms. Antoinette Taus
Founder and Executive Director
Communities Organized for Resource Allocation (CORA)
Philippines

Mr. Phitchayetsaphong Khurupratchamak
Coordinator
Boon Rueang Wetland Forest Conservation Group Thailand