ASEAN workshop to intensify public awareness on biodiversity opens in Manila

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A three-day regional workshop on heightening public awareness of biodiversity issues and concerns kicked off here today, an official said.

The workshop being participated by government communication officers from 10-member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) aims to strengthen the capacity of the Southeast Asian states in promoting public awareness of the values of biodiversity to help reduce the rate of biodiversity loss, said Rolando Inciong, head of ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity's (ACB) communication and public affairs.

"The workshop is a contribution of the ASEAN Member States and ACB in realizing Target No. 1 of the global biodiversity Aichi Targets," he said.

Target No. 1 states that by 2020, at the latest, people are aware of the values of biodiversity and the steps they can take to conserve and use it sustainably.

Currently, he said the trend is to plant trees, advocate green technology, segregate waste, or bring reusable bags to the supermarket.

"Awareness is like a light switch that creates opportunities for change, big or small, which collectively brings huge benefits to the environment," Inciong explained.