ID: 1702

Mangrove Restoration in the ASEAN member countries

● Supporting the rehabilitation of mangrove forests and marine ecosystems across the ASEAN countries through capacity building, awareness raising and policy development, which promote ecological viability and sustainability. ● Enhancing community awareness and livelihood improvement through ecosystem services. ● Enhancing the potential for ecosystem services from healthier mangroves to support sustainable economic opportunities in fisheries, aquaculture, and ecotourism. ● Creating a regional framework for cross-border cooperation through the provision of necessary technical assistance and sharing of data among the participating countries. ● Carrying out scientific research, studies, and monitoring for evidence-based conservation and sustainable practices. The ASEAN region hosts one of the most developed mangrove ecosystems worldwide, covering approximately 4.5 million hectares as of 2015. Mangrove ecosystems contribute to biodiversity conservation, blue carbon storage, and natural protection against coastal disasters such as tsunamis. The mangroves within this region host diverse species including migratory birds and threatened flora and fauna. They sustain the livelihoods of an estimated 2.6 million people who live in coastal areas and benefit from associated fisheries, wood, and tourism. They are also crucial for food security and reducing human-wildlife conflicts in areas of high biodiversity (example, balancing the habitat of humans and wildlife such as crocodiles). Despite their importance, mangroves in the ASEAN region face numerous severe threats connected with overexploitation, unsustainable land use, pollution, and climate change; all combining to cause widespread degradation. ASEAN member countries realise the socio-economic and ecological value of mangroves, although restoration is very slow given land use conversion pressures, pollution, and climate change impacts. Problem statement: Apart from the impacts of unsustainable land-use and climate change, mangrove conservation and restoration are impeded by the lack of a unified regional framework and strategies for sustainable management and cross-border cooperation. A unified regional framework for mangroves ecosystems is crucial as it often span national borders and rely on interconnected ecological processes, which fragmented management cannot support. It allows for coordinated responses to transboundary threats such as pollution and illegal exploitation, while encouraging shared data, standardized monitoring, and collaborative research. This synergy enhances the efficiency and impact of conservation efforts and ensures strengthened opportunities for funding, maintains a sustainable livelihood in communities where the mangrove covers have also ensured. Moreover, regional cooperation can spare the mangrove restoration initiative from being ineffective or unsustainable by nature. Problem solution: The project will support the development of a regional approach and: ● Provide technical and financial assistance to ASEAN nations for the conservation and rehabilitation of degraded mangrove ecosystems ● Foster cross-border cooperation, knowledge sharing, and technical expertise exchange including collaboration with already existing initiatives, such as the ASEAN Mangrove Network (AMNet). ● Conduct scientific studies and long-term monitoring for evidence-based conservation and rehabilitation. ● Advocate and raise awareness on the ecosystem services and benefits of mangrove protection in sustaining mangrove dependent livelihoods. Main objective: To accelerate the rehabilitation, and sustainable management of mangrove ecosystems in ASEAN member countries for ecological functionality, local livelihood support, and resilience to climate change through a regional collaborative framework to support ecosystem monitoring and facilitate knowledge sharing. Outputs 1. Development of an up-to-date profile of mangrove ecosystems across the ASEAN, including baseline data on biodiversity, carbon storage, and ecological health. 2. Development of a scientifically informed and localized ASEAN policy framework for harmonized approaches and strategies in sustainable mangrove management and conservation within the ASEAN countries 3. Improved awareness through targeted campaigns, workshops, and stakeholder engagement activities that will ensure local support for mangrove rehabilitation, conservation, and sustainable practices. 4. Empowerment of local stakeholders and government agencies through training programs related to ecosystem management, conservation approaches, rehabilitation, and climate adaptation strategies. Outcomes 1. Improved regional collaboration and coordination in the restoration, rehabilitation, and management of mangroves within ASEAN countries, developing more harmonized and effective conservation strategies. 2. Enhanced decision-making and development of policies at the national as well as regional levels underpinned by evidence-based baseline data on biodiversity, carbon storage, and ecological health. 3. Resilience of coastal communities to climate change and natural disasters enhanced. 1. Scope Project locations: The project will focus on the key mangrove sites within the ASEAN area, particularly Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand, with emphasis on Ramsar-designated sites and other respective catchments with high dependence on mangrove ecosystem services. Partners and roles: ● Lead country: Indonesia. Partner countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste. ● Roles: a) Implementation: Relevant government agencies from the involved countries. b) Coordinating Body: ASEAN Secretariat. c) Technical and financial partners include NGOs, international organizations, multilateral agencies, private sector including but not limited to the following institutions: GEF, GIZ, World Bank, UNCCD, FAO, and AFoCO. Sectors involved: The project will engage sectors related to environmental conservation, sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, ecotourism, coastal protection, and disaster resilience, ensuring a cross-sectoral approach to mangrove ecosystem restoration, rehabilitation, and conservation. 2. Implementation Approach and Strategy Project components: 1. Community engagement and awareness campaigns which will involve community workshops, outreach activities, and educational programs to stir up the community’s involvement. 2. Stakeholders’ capacity building in conservation, rehabilitation, and sustainable mangrove forest ecosystems management. 3. Technical guidelines and policy frameworks for mangrove management for sustainability that shall be uniformly applied at the ASEAN level. 4. Development of a holistic and integrated forest management plan for rehabilitation and conservation. 5. Development of knowledge-sharing platform, allowing sharing of data, best practices, and research findings related to mangrove conservation. 6. Scientific research and establishment of long-term ecological monitoring to support and inform adaptive management by monitoring progress over time The mangrove restoration, rehabilitation, and conservation project will follow a phased and adaptive approach to facilitate effective ecosystem management, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building across ASEAN nations. This strategy focuses on community involvement, scientific research, policy development, and cross-regional cooperation to ensure both immediate and long-term success. Within the community involvement component, the project will adapt the Community-Based Mangrove Forest Management Approach to ensure community participation in mangrove restoration, rehabilitation, and conservation for sustainability.

Planned actions

Education or awareness-raising

Management of land/water

Other