Although it covers just three percent of the Earth’s land, Southeast Asia harbours unparalleled biodiversity, including four hotspots, dozens of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), and several of the world’s most megadiverse countries. In early July, representatives from Indonesia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Thailand gathered in Bogor, Indonesia, for a three-day knowledge exchange forum focused on peer-to-peer learning and collaboration. The forum was designed to drive action on National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)—core mechanisms used to protect the region’s rich ecosystems and contribute to the 23 global biodiversity targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). It was organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in collaboration with the GIZ Global Project on GBF Implementation, under the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership.

Opening remarks of the forum reinforced the importance of biodiversity in the region. Nizhar Marizi, Director for Environment at Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), reminded attendees of the indispensable role biodiversity plays in the functioning of food systems and economic well-being, stressing biodiversity as a vital asset that needs to be protected urgently. Speakers from respective countries and organizations brought the group together around a shared vision of restoring harmony with nature, supported deepening the group’s understanding of the GBF, and shared resources, tools, and insights valuable for catalyzing action, including tools like the MatchMaking Mechanism and regional hubs such as TSCCs. Representatives from each country shared updates on their specific NBSAP developments, helping each other address issues and find common ground for moving forward together.

After speaking sessions concluded, the event transitioned into segments designed to build knowledge and capacity on identified gaps common across the region that prevent forward momentum. These sessions included:

• Biodiversity finance
• Inclusive governance
• The use of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs)
• Biodiversity monitoring and data management

During the session on biodiversity finance, the group explored innovative financial mechanisms to safeguard the region’s diverse ecosystems, including successful examples of blended finance models, such as Indonesia’s Coral Bond, a financing instrument that connects private capital to support marine protected areas. Countries like the Philippines and Thailand also shared insights on integrating biodiversity into national economic planning, underscoring the critical need for financial solutions that are not only sustainable but scalable. Moving forward, the forum participants agreed on the need to strengthen public-private partnerships and explore alternative funding models to secure long-term conservation efforts.

In his opening remarks, Indonesia’s minister shared that more than 50 of the region’s Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) exist outside of formally protected areas, offering a tangible example of why expansive and inclusive frameworks that involve communities and governments beyond protected areas management are vital for biodiversity. Whole-of-society and whole-of-government approaches advocate for the active participation of all stakeholders in biodiversity decision-making and management, including government ministries, civil society, and local communities.

Several nations shared success stories in this area. Lao PDR emphasized their work involving more women in protected area management and combining traditional knowledge with modern conservation practices. Other compelling work included activities on connecting communities with the added value of local food sources like sorghum, the inclusion of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in NBSAPs, support for the leadership of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in managing KBAs, and the development of community-based ecotourism. Indonesia shared its success in integrating biodiversity into national development planning, where cross-sectoral coordination involving multiple sectors—agriculture, forestry, and tourism has helped break down silos and align biodiversity goals with broader development priorities.

The need to expand conservation beyond traditional protected areas was a major focus of the forum. Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) were defined as areas that contribute to biodiversity conservation but are not formally designated as protected. Such areas were explored as a crucial element of regional conservation strategies. For example, Thailand shared its experiences with private-sector-led OECMs, where companies nominate conservation areas within their operational landscapes. This approach not only helped protect biodiversity but also ensured that businesses were incentivized to engage in sustainable practices. Delegates from the region discussed the reality that they need to address community welfare in connection with conservation of natural resources, rather than creating more prohibitive protected areas that disconnect people from Nature.

As part of their commitment to the 30×30 goal of protecting 30% of the Earth’s land and marine areas by 2030, participants discussed how OECMs could be integrated into national strategies in a larger way. Challenges such as lack of legal frameworks, weak mapping systems, and conflicting development priorities were identified as barriers that need to be addressed to fully unlock the potential of OECMs.

The importance of data management for effective conservation was also a focal point of discussions. Accurate and accessible biodiversity data is essential for tracking progress toward the GBF targets and for informed decision-making. Countries shared progress on improving data collection, and shared the goal of creating a robust framework for monitoring and reporting on biodiversity data.

Regional cooperation emerged as a key theme from the three-day forum, with countries committing to continue sharing knowledge, tools, and best practices to improve the implementation of their NBSAPs. The forum ended with a shared commitment to accelerate NBSAP implementation and strengthen regional cooperation—uniting efforts to safeguard biodiversity for future generations.