Ms. Rattana Tiaye, a Fisheries Management Scientist from SEAFDEC/TD, recently participated in the Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) Knowledge Sharing and Exchange Workshop. Held from 14 to 16 August 2024 in Iloilo City, Philippines, the workshop was co-organized by the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB). The event convened representatives from ASEAN Member States and partner organizations to advance marine and coastal conservation efforts in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The workshop’s agenda included site visits to successful community-driven mangrove restoration projects, presentations on national progress and challenges in implementing OECMs, and collaborative exercises focused on identifying potential conservation sites and strengthening monitoring frameworks. The discussions underscored the vital role of OECMs in complementing marine protected areas, contributing to the “30×30” biodiversity target, and building the resilience of coastal ecosystems against climate change. The event’s strong emphasis on regional cooperation, knowledge exchange, and community participation reinforced these crucial conservation principles.
