Strengthening Natural Resources Management in ASEAN: National and Regional Imperatives, Targets, and Opportunities
Print Article:
The ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint adopted in 2009 incorporated 'Ensuring Environmental Sustainability' as one of its six broader characteristics. A mid-term review (MTR) was carried out to evaluate the progress and effectiveness of the implementation activities both at the national level and for ASEAN as a whole. In this context, the objective of this study is to analyse the performance of natural resources management (NRM), which is crucial in ensuring environmental sustainability, of each ASEAN member country based on the MTR. Drawing on the review, an analytical framework is proposed to measure the performance of NRM with appropriate adjustments, relevant modifications, directions for the future, and corresponding way forward, whilst exploring opportunities for member countries and other countries in the Asian region. Some guidelines on time-bound short- and long-run action plans are suggested. A particular attention in this study is paid to developing some standardised concrete indicators or benchmarks that may be used for measuring the NRM activities within a common framework for all ASEAN countries.
