Cha-am Declaration on Biodiversity WE, the participants of the Asia Regional Forum on Biodiversity, recognize that nature is the foundation of life and that protecting nature is the joint task of business, government, academe, and other multi-stakeholders in society. Thus, we have committed ourselves to advocate for the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity in partnership with all sectors of society. To this end, we declare our commitment to: • Contribute to the preservation of the Earth’s natural heritage by protecting species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity through mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation, sustainable management and advocacy in organizational plans and programs, as well as corporate social responsibility initiatives; • Produce goods and services in forms and manners that will contribute to the protection and conservation of biodiversity; • Promote sound investments that will pave the way for environmentally sound technologies, products and services; • Use expertise, experience and resources to convince co-employees and customers, as well as the general public, to implement ecologically sustainable practices of living and consumption; • Support global, regional and national efforts to halt the loss of biodiversity, including objectives and initiatives by the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park Foundation under the Patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies through the Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and other relevant international/ regional agreements and institutions; • Share the benefi ts of the economic utilization of natural resources fairly with those who grant access to them openly and cooperatively; • Explore the potential for cooperation with scientifi c institutions, non-governmental organizations and governmental institutions with the aim of deepening involvement in biodiversity conservation; • Ensure, in cooperation and networking with all stakeholders including business sector and communities, the long-term viability of agriculture and fi sheries for food production and income generation through fair, ecosystem-based, community-centered, science & technology oriented, R&D approaches, while providing solutions to problems of pollution, disease, land degradation, desertifi cation and climate change that are affecting sustainable agricultural and fi shery practices; • Promote biodiversity conservation actions at all levels of government, communities, businesses and universities through education; • Explore channels of support for biodiversity conservation actions and wildlife and forest law implementation as well as enforcement such as through social sanction, capacity building and public awareness; • Encourage national governments to recognize the role of business in biodiversity conservation actions; • To engage in transformative education on biodiversity conservation for sustainable development that can change behavior of all stakeholders; • Encourage the youth involvement in biodiversity and environmental conservation action to promote sustainable development through education, training and social activities; • Explore appropriate channels by regular interactive meetings for mass media of different status (government, business, etc.) through media resource centers to create awareness on various issues relating to biodiversity conservation; and • To meet the basic needs for the present and future generation using scientifi c innovation for research and development for appropriate utilization of local and indigenous knowledge with equity and equality while maintaining balance between environmental, social and economic sustainability. With this declaration, we will work together to inspire other organizations by communicating examples of environment-friendly best practice; encouraging multi-stakeholder partnerships; promoting wide leadership and public awareness of the values of biodiversity and the need for cooperation from all sectors; and recognizing outstanding contributions to biodiversity conservation and advocacy. This Cha-am Declaration is adopted on the 4th of November 2011 at the Asia Regional Forum on Biodiversity held in Cha-am, Phetchaburi Province, Thailand. ENCOURAGING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BUSINESS AND COMMUNITIES FOR BIODIVERSITY xiii
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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