ASEAN Regional Cooperation on Environment Ministry of Environment, Republic of Indonesia

2 ASEAN

Background The ASEAN Region is one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the world. The region, while occupying only 3 per cent of the world’s total land area, is renowned for its rich biological heritage, comprising the three mega biodiversity countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, which together represent around 80 per cent of global biological diversity. The forest cover in ASEAN is about 45 per cent compared to the world’s average of 30.3 per cent and it provides the natural habitat for up to 40 per cent of all species on Earth. The region also houses more than 1000 protected areas covering 595,700 sq. km. or about 13 per cent of its total land area. The region has 34 per cent of the total mangrove forest area, 64 per cent of mangrove species, 31 per cent of coral reef area, and 33 per cent of sea grass species. Increased population, rapid economic growth, combined with the existing and region-wide social inequities among the ASEAN countries has essentially exerted increasing pressures on the natural resources of the region and brought along various common or transboundary environmental issues, such as air, water and land pollution, urban environmental degradation, transboundary haze pollution, and depletion of natural resources, particularly biological diversity. 3

10 PRIORITIES ASEAN ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION Addressing global environmental issues Managing and preventing transboundary environmental pollution Transboundary haze pollution Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes Promoting sustainable development through environmental education and public participation Promoting environmentally sound technology (EST) Promoting quality living standards in ASEAN cities/ urban areas Harmonising environmental policies and databases Promoting the sustainable use of coastal and marine environment Promoting sustainable management of natural resources and biodiversity Promoting the sustainability of freshwater resources Responding to climate change and addressing its impacts 4

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