About
Advancing Biodiversity Enhancement in ASEAN:
Science-Based Pathways for Climate Mitigation and Ecosystem Restoration
About the 2026 Biodiversity Science Forum
Bridging science and policy for biodiversity action
The Biodiversity Science Forum (BSF) is the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity's (ACB) flagship platform for science-based dialogue on regional biodiversity conservation, bringing together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to translate scientific evidence into actionable policy. Hosted from 30 September to 1 October 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and co-organized with Malaysia's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), the 2026 edition carries the theme "Advancing Biodiversity Enhancement in ASEAN: Science-Based Pathways for Climate Mitigation and Ecosystem Restoration." Building on the momentum of the 2025 Forum in Jakarta, supported by the ASEAN-UK Green Transition Fund through the Enhancing Conservation and Restoration of Wetlands and Peatlands in ASEAN as Effective Sinks and Reservoirs of Greenhouse Gases (EnCORE Wetlands), project this year's Forum focuses on biodiversity enhancement as a primary objective, showcasing scalable, science-driven solutions for ecosystem restoration and climate mitigation across Southeast Asia.
The Forum will bring together academic researchers, government delegates, non-government organisations, youth and Indigenous Peoples and Local Community (IPLC) representatives, among others. Through shared research, monitoring approaches, and on-the-ground experience, the forum aims to strengthen regional cooperation, promote science-based measures of biodiversity gains and ecosystem resilience, and translate scientific and indigenous knowledge into robust environmental policy in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
About the Biodiversity Science Forum
Bridging science and policy for biodiversity action
ASEAN’s rich biodiversity plays a vital role in supporting the well-being of more than 660 million people. However, pressures from human activities, habitat degradation, illegal wildlife trade, invasive alien species, and climate change pose serious threats to the region. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the critical links among ecosystem health, human activity, public health, and the economy, reinforcing the need for evidence-based environmental policies.
In response to these concerns, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) organises the Biodiversity Science Forum (BSF) as a platform to raise awareness and highlight biodiversity conservation initiatives across the ASEAN region. The BSF is an annual forum series, with themes discussed and selected by members of the ACB Scientific Advisory Committee (ACB SAC) during their annual meeting. The BSF aims to serve as a venue for the scientific community working in the ASEAN region to showcase the results and impact of their work, while also generating policy recommendations and research-based ideas for actionable steps.
SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Meet our Experts
The ACB Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) is the science-policy advisory body of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, providing scientific and technical guidance to ASEAN Member States (AMS) and the ACB on addressing biodiversity loss. Established in 2008 and reactivated in 2019 with a role modeled in part on IPBES, the SAC is composed of experts nominated by each AMS through the ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (AWGNCB). The SAC advises on ACB's Strategic Plan, reviews ACB knowledge products for scientific quality, including the ACB's flagship publication, the ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook, and supports priority programmes such as the ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) Programme and the ASEAN Green Initiative (AGI). It meets at least once a year, with the ACB serving as its Secretariat.
Dr. Rahayu Sukmaria binti Hj Sukri
Brunei Darussalam
Associate Professor
Institute for Biodiversity and Environmental Research Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Ecologist:
Tropical forest ecology and plant diversity
Dr. Srey Sunleang
Cambodia
Director General
General Directorate of Natural Protected Areas, Ministry of Environment, Cambodia
Ecologist:
Wetlands conservation, and sustainable ecosystem management
Dr. Atik Retnowati
Indonesia
Researcher
Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia
Fungal Taxonomist:
Mycology
Mr. Veosavanh Saysavanh
Lao PDR
Deputy Director
Protected Forest Management Division, Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Lao PDR
Conservationist:
Forest resources management
Dr. Yen Yen Sam
Malaysia
Curator of the Herbarium; Head of Flora Biodiversity Programme
Forest Biodiversity Division, Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM)
Plant Taxonomist:
Botany
Mr. Kyaw Phone Wai
Myanmar
Assistant Director
Nature and Wildlife Conservation Division, Forest Department Myanmar
Ecologist:
Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), biodiversity conservation, protected areas, and community-based natural resource management
Dr. Edwino S. Fernando
Philippines
Professor Emeritus
Department of Forest Biological Sciences, College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines Los Baños
Plant Taxonomist:
Botany, Biodiversity, Protected Areas and Conservation
Dr. Cai Yixiong
Singapore
Senior Manager
National Biodiversity Centre National Parks Board
Zoologist:
Freshwater Shrimps Systematics, Tropical Forest Stream
Dr. Thamasak Yeemin
Thailand
Professor
Department of Biology Ramkhamhaeng University
Conservationist:
Marine Biology, Coral Reef Ecology and Coastal Ecosystem Management
Dr. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan
Viet Nam
Deputy Director
Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency Viet Nam Environment Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
Biodiversity Conservationist:
Biosphere Reserve Management and International Biodiversity Cooperation