Mangrove Ecosystem Management in ASEAN Region

The ASEAN region is home to over 40 percent of the world’s total mangrove forests, which provides essential ecological, economic, and social services to the region. Despite the important role of mangrove forests, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity reported major mangrove deforestation during the last four decades, losing about 33 percent of its mangrove forests¹. Several measures to combat the loss of mangroves have been taken, including the establishment of the ASEAN Mangrove Network (AMNET) to support, promote, and strengthen the existing conservation and rehabilitation efforts of the mangrove ecosystem in ASEAN. AMNET also serves as a platform for bringing better environment and livelihoods for the people living along the coastal areas of ASEAN Member States through sustainable mangrove ecosystem management.

At the first AMNET meeting in 2014, all members committed themselves to developing a database of information on good practices and lessons learned on mangrove management in the ASEAN region. To improve and further promote sustainable mangrove management using the database, the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) supports the implementation of the project titled Mangrove Ecosystem Management in ASEAN Region.