USAID ASEAN Policy Implementation (API) Regional Trends Analysis Report

The plan consists of seven agreed strategic priorities with selected programs, outputs, and activities based on existing cooperation, emerging needs of ASEAN Member States, and commitments to address relevant issues in the global agenda. The seven strategic priorities under the ASPEN are: Nature conservation and biodiversity, Coastal and marine environment, Water resources management, Environmentally sustainable cities, Climate change, Chemicals and waste, and Environmental education and sustainable consumption and production. The institutional framework of the ASEAN cooperation on environment consists of the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME), ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN), and seven subsidiary bodies or working groups, following the identified strategic priorities. The seven subsidiary bodies are: ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC), ASEAN Working Group on Chemicals and Waste (AWGCW), ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME), ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Education (AWGEE), ASEAN Working Group on Environmentally Sustainable Cities (AWGESC), ASEAN Working Group on Natural Resources and Biodiversity (AWGNCB), and ASEAN Working Group on Water Resources Management (AWGWRM). ASEAN's commitment to the international agreement on environment is reflected in its adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 1992. The UNFCCC established an international treaty that aims to stabilize greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at a level that prevents dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate system. ASEAN Member States have committed to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR-RC), considering different national circumstances, by implementing measures to combat climate change. ASEAN's institutional framework for cooperation on environment is led by the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME), which is the highest level of decision-making on environmental issues. The AMME is supported by the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN), which is responsible for implementing the decisions of the AMME. The seven subsidiary bodies or working groups, following the identified strategic priorities, are responsible for overseeing the implementation of the ASPEN. The ASEAN Working Group on Climate Change (AWGCC) is responsible for implementing measures to combat climate change, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting climate-resilient development. The ASEAN Working Group on Chemicals and Waste (AWGCW) is responsible for promoting the safe management of chemicals and waste, including the implementation of the Basel Convention and the Stockholm Convention. The ASEAN Working Group on Coastal and Marine Environment (AWGCME) is responsible for promoting the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine resources, including the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The ASEAN Working Group on Environmental Education (AWGEE) is responsible for promoting environmental education and awareness-raising, including the development of environmental education curricula and the implementation of environmental education programs. The ASEAN Working Group on Environmentally Sustainable Cities (AWGESC) is responsible for promoting environmentally sustainable urban development, including the implementation of green infrastructure and the promotion of sustainable transportation systems. The ASEAN Working Group on Natural Resources and Biodiversity (AWGNCB) is responsible for promoting the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and biodiversity, including the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The ASEAN Working Group on Water Resources Management (AWGWRM) is responsible for promoting the sustainable management of water resources, including the implementation of the ASEAN Water Framework Directive and the promotion of water conservation and efficiency measures. The seven subsidiary bodies or working groups are responsible for overseeing the implementation of the ASPEN and for promoting ASEAN cooperation on environment.