On May 18, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) launched the ASEAN Environment Year 2006 (AEY-2006) under the theme “Biodiversity – Our Present and Future.” The launch ceremony took place in Borgo, Indonesia, with the participation of hundreds of delegates from the 10 ASEAN member countries as well as representatives from various international organizations.
In his opening speech, the Deputy Minister of the Environment of Indonesia called on ASEAN countries to enhance research and strengthen cooperation in the field of biodiversity protection. He noted that the establishment of the ASEAN Biodiversity Center in the Philippines in September 2005 marked the beginning of efforts to promote regional cooperation in achieving the goals of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
The objective of AEY-2006 is to raise public awareness about the rich biodiversity of the region, enhance environmental conservation cooperation, and implement the sustainable development goals outlined in the ASEAN Vision 2020.
In a message delivered to AEY-2006, our Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Mai Ai Truc, emphasized that AEY activities have contributed to strengthening traditional relations, solidarity, and friendship among member states, as well as laying a solid foundation for cooperation and development within ASEAN. The Minister pledged that Vietnam would continue to play an active role in joint efforts to build a greener, cleaner, and more beautiful ASEAN region.
Alongside the launch of AEY-2006, the 10th meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on the Multilateral Environmental Agreement and an exhibition showcasing the value of biodiversity were also held in Borgo.
AEY was first held in Thailand in 1995 under the theme “Green and Clean.” From the second AEY in 2000, ASEAN agreed to hold AEY every three years. The ASEAN region encompasses an area of approximately 4.5 million square kilometers and features unique, diverse ecosystems with around 27,000 species of organisms.
