ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The ASEAN marine conservation project has officially been launched in Indonesia.
The project entitled Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS) was launched on 11 to 13 February 2025 in Jakarta by the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia in collaboration with the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB). The launch of this project began with Workshop activities and the National Technical Working Group (NTWG).
ASEAN ENMAPS is a five-year marine conservation project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), with ACB as the implementing partner. This project aims to strengthen the governance of the Marine Protected Area (MPA) network in various major Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN region, with an initial focus on the three participating ASEAN Member States, namely Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.
In Indonesia, implementation of this project is coordinated through the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia which acts as the national executive agency, with collaboration from various relevant directorates, national park authorities, and field officers under the direction of the national project manager.
These workshops and meetings are an important step in aligning Indonesia’s marine conservation goals with regional priorities. In addition, this activity prepares the foundation for developing a strong NTWG framework, validating key conservation indicators, and mapping priority actions to protect Indonesia’s invaluable marine ecosystems.
Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Satyawan Pudyatmoko said, this initiative focuses on managing the Marine Protected Areas Network effectively in the ASEAN Large Marine Ecosystem.
“This has enormous significance not only for the region’s biodiversity, but also for local stakeholders,” he said.
He further explained that Southeast Asia’s coastal and marine ecosystems are not only a source of biodiversity, but also a vital source of life for millions of people who depend on marine and coastal ecosystems for health, food security, climate change resilience, as well as encouraging economic growth in ASEAN countries.
Specifically for food security, Prof. Satyawan emphasized that this was in line with Indonesia’s national development program in the era of President Prabowo Subianto’s leadership.
Prof. Satyawan explained that Indonesia, as the largest archipelagic country in the world, is an important part of marine and coastal ecosystem conservation efforts. Indonesia’s oceans, including the Coral Triangle, have global significance as home to incomparable marine biodiversity. However, these marine resources are also vulnerable to the threats of overfishing, pollution and climate change.
The impacts of coral bleaching, changes in fish migration patterns, and ecosystem degradation have inspired urgent action to protect marine resources for current and future generations.
“As the main foundation of the coral triangle, Indonesia is proud to host two pilot locations under the ASEAN ENMAPS project, namely the Togean Islands National Park and the Wakatobi Islands National Park,” explained Prof. Satyawan.
Togean Islands National Park is one of the main biodiversity locations within the Tojo Una-Una Biosphere Reserve, which is home to various ecosystems including mangrove forests, coral reefs, and seagrass beds, as well as two endemic Togean fish species, namely Paracheilinus togeanensis and Ecsenius sp.
Meanwhile, the Wakatobi Islands National Park, which has ASEAN Heritage Park status, is another gem of Indonesia’s marine heritage. Known for its extraordinary coral diversity of 750 species out of 850 in the world, the national park also provides important habitat for iconic marine species, such as Manta Rays and Sperm Whales. The Wakatobi region is not only a marine conservation site but also a place where ecological richness and local community resilience are intertwined.
“These and other marine national parks are a symbol of Indonesia’s commitment to preserving marine ecosystems while promoting sustainable development,” he explained.
Acting Executive Director, ASEAN Center for Biodiversity and Project Director, ASEAN ENMAPS, Clarissa C. Arida appreciated Indonesia’s focus on advancing sustainability, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience which reflects a vision that is in line with the goals of the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan to take urgent action to stop and reverse biodiversity loss, and put nature on a recovery path for the well-being of people and the planet.
“The ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB) will continue to support Indonesia and other ASEAN Member Countries in advancing marine biodiversity conservation and strengthening collective efforts through capacity strengthening initiatives, technical assistance and regional collaboration. Indonesia’s active participation in ACB-led programs, such as ASEAN Heritage Parks, confirms its commitment to preserving the region’s natural wealth,” said Clarissa.
The ASEAN ENMAPS project is in line with the National Marine Protected Area Program in Indonesia. The aim of ASEAN ENMAPS is to increase conservation efforts through the establishment of an MPA network to improve marine connectivity so as to ensure species can migrate from one protected area to another while maintaining ecological balance, in line with the MPA expansion program in Indonesia which aims to protect 30% of the country’s marine areas by 2045.
By focusing on integrated fisheries management, marine spatial planning, an ecosystem approach to fisheries and their management, and community involvement, ASEAN ENMAPS aims to revolutionize the way ASEAN countries protect their marine resources. With an emphasis on knowledge sharing and scaling up best practices, this initiative ensures that lessons learned in Indonesia can be applied across the region, creating opportunities for long-term conservation success. (AT Network)
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