Environmental hazard: Plastic waste washed ashore by typhoons clogging up a bayside slum area in Navotas, Philippines. — AP
WHEN the COP16 United Nations conference on biodiversity in Colombia (COP16 CBD) concluded, Asean countries demonstrated varied approaches to the main negotiation agenda items, including biodiversity funding and the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
The Philippines stood out as a champion, advocating for indigenous and local community rights in marine and coastal conservation while emphasising the integration of climate and biodiversity goals. Malaysia called for stronger regional collaboration on biodiversity finance, with support from Indonesia.
