MANILA, Aug. 1 — The European Union (EU) will provide 10 million euros (about PHP595.62 million) to enhance conservation of biodiversity and improve the management of protected areas in Southeast Asia.
EU ambassador Franz Jessen said the grant will support the Biodiversity Conservation and Management of Protected Areas in ASEAN (BCAMP) project, in which the EU will support biodiversity within the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) region at local, national and regional levels.
“The project will improve the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation and management of a number of National Parks in ASEAN, it will enhance the scientific knowledge on biodiversity and mainstream the biodiversity dimension in the educational systems,” he said in a speech delivered by deputy Head of Delegation Mattias Lentz.
Jessen pointed out that through this support, the EU will also contribute to strengthen the capacity of ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB) to support national policy makers in the ASEAN region to protect species, habitats and ecosystems.
The ambassador said the EU is an important partner in promoting biodiversity in the international development agenda, and advocates for ecosystems conservation in its development cooperation policy.
He noted that it believed in the promotion of biodiversity worldwide, in the ASEAN region and in the Philippines in particular.
“A robust and protected biodiversity supports livelihoods, enhance food security and nutrition, and contribute to significant climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits. Sustainable development cannot be achieved if the world’s biodiversity is compromised,” Jessen added.
The EU signed in the country last week the new 10 million euros grant agreement for BCAMP project with ACB. (LDV/PNA)
