ASEAN To Recognise Biodiversity Heroes

KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 (Bernama) -- Ten individuals from ASEAN member states will be named as ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes during the grouping's 50th anniversary celebration, for their significant contribution to biodiversity conservation and advocacy efforts in their respective countries and the region. ASEAN in a statement said the award ceremony would be held in Manila, Philippines on Aug 8, and each Hero shall receive a cash prize worth US$5,000, a special hero medal, and a certificate. They would also receive special prizes from HARI Foundation Inc, the corporate social responsibility arm of Hyundai Asia Resources Inc, and will also be known as the faces of biodiversity conservation in the ASEAN region, it said. ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh said the ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes are individuals that people can identify with and will inspire others to take action for biodiversity in their own spheres of influence. "As ASEAN member states continue to work on national development and sustainability goals and collaborate on regional initiatives to conserve ASEAN's shared natural wealth, ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes play the crucial role of spreading awareness for the urgent need to conserve biodiversity," he added. The ASEAN Biodiversity Heroes is one of the region's contributions to the celebration of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 - an excellent opportunity to increase public awareness of the values of biodiversity and promote actions at the national, regional and local levels to conserve and sustainably manage the world's rich natural heritage. The award is supported by the Philippines' Department of Foreign Affairs, HARI Foundation Inc., and the European Union through the Biodiversity Conservation and Management of Protected Areas in ASEAN (BCAMP) project. ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) Executive Director Roberto V Oliva said the Heroes selected could come from various background including forest rangers, researchers, park managers, taxonomists, and media practitioners. "They are silent heroes devoting themselves to the survival of humanity," he added. ASEAN, established on Aug 8, 1967 consists of 10 member states namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. --BERNAMA