Thailand’s Sixth National Report on the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity Thailand’s Sixth National Report on the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity June 2019 Forward As a Party of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Thailand is responsible for addressing the challenges of safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are national priorities. CBD’s parties are required to submit the National Report in accordance with the Convention’s objectives (Article 26 of the CBD). Thailand’s Sixth National Report covers the period of January 2015 to December 2018 and aligns with the agreed reporting guidelines of the CBD. We hope this report can contribute to the development of the Global Biodiversity Outlook and the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Thailand will continue to take concrete steps to protect its biodiversity, the unique natural heritage, and precious ecosystems, for the next generations. All Thais – including all levels of government, the public, private, local stakeholders and non-government organizations are responsible for biodiversity conservation. 1 Preface Thailand’s Sixth National Report (6NR) is one of the obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). As a party to the CBD, Thailand has been implementing prevalent policies and measures to fulfill the country’s commitments to the CBD and its Protocols. In addition, Thailand has been actively participating in various international cooperation and regional biodiversity initiatives. This 6NR describes the outcomes from the implementation of the Master Plan related to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and the performance of relevant sectors. The 6 NR contains seven sections as follows: Section I Information on the targets being pursued at the national level, Section II Implementation measures taken, assessment of their effectiveness, associated obstacles and scientific and technical needs to achieve national targets, Section III Assessment of progress towards each national target Section IV Thailand’s contribution towards global Aichi Target. Section V Description of the national contribution to the achievement of the targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, Section VI Additional information on the contribution of indigenous peoples and local communities Section VII Updated biodiversity country profiles In developing the 6NR, several assessment approaches were taken in the process. The Project Steering Committee comprised multi-sectoral stakeholders which was established to ensure the good quality of the comprehensive report. In addition to fulfill the country’s obligation to CBD, the process of developing 6NR also helped to raise public awareness; established mechanisms for monitoring biodiversity and ecosystem conservation activities. This process enables us to work in close coordination and cooperation with the international community to tackle global biodiversity challenges. On behalf of the government of Thailand, we would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude to the Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Development Programme, both the global and national teams, and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity for the financial and technical support, as well as to the specialized institutes, national expertise and civil society organizations for their contributions to the preparation of this report. 2 Table of Content Section 1 Information on the targets being pursued at the national level 5 Section 2 Implementation measures taken, assessment of their 19 effectiveness, associated obstacles and scientific and technical needs to achieve national targets Measure 1: Strengthening awareness and education on biodiversity Measure 2: Integration of and promotion of participation for biodiversity management Measure 3: Conservation, restoration and protection of biodiversity Measure 4: Reducing threats to, and enabling sustainable use of biodiversity Measure 5: Wetland management Measure 6: Management of invasive alien species Measure 7: Biosafety Measure 8: Protection of genetic resources Measure 9: Research and development for bio-economy Measure 10: Management of knowledge and databases Measure 11: Preservation and protection of local knowledge associated with biodiversity Section 3 Assessment of progress towards each national target 37 National Target 1 National Target 2 National Target 3 National Target 4 National Target 5 National Target 6 National Target 7 National Target 8 National Target 9 National Target 10 National Target 11 National Target 12 National Target 13 National Target 14 National Target 15 National Target 16 National Target 17 National Target 18 National Target 19 National Target 20 National Target 21 National Target 22 National Target 23 National Target 24 National Target 25 3 Section 4 Description of the national contribution to the achievement of 93 each global Aichi Biodiversity Target Aichi Target A1 Aichi Target A2 Aichi Target A3 Aichi Target A4 Aichi Target B5 Aichi Target B6 Aichi Target B7 Aichi Target B8 Aichi Target B9 Aichi Target B10 Aichi Target C11 Aichi Target C12 Aichi Target C13 Aichi Target D14 Aichi Target D15 Aichi Target D16 Aichi Target E17 Aichi Target E18 Aichi Target E19 Aichi Target E20 Section 5 Description of the national contribution to the achievement of the 131 targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation GSPC Target 1 GSPC Target 2 GSPC Target 3 GSPC Target 4 GSPC Target 5 GSPC Target 6 GSPC Target 7 GSPC Target 8 GSPC Target 9 GSPC Target 10 GSPC Target 11 GSPC Target 12 GSPC Target 13 GSPC Target 14 GSPC Target 15 GSPC Target 16 Section 6 Additional information on the contribution of indigenous peoples 157 and local communities Section 7 Updated biodiversity country profiles 163 Recommendations for biodiversity management in Thailand 173 4 Section 1 Information on the targets being pursued at the national level Section I Information on national targets under the 2015 – 2021 Master Plan for Biodiversity Management Since, 1998, Thailand has been continuously developing national strategies, policies and master plans on biodiversity management in response to the obligations under Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Targets were adopted as a guidance for the formulation of these national biodiversity plans, as well as for enabling their integration of the Aichi Targets into other relevant plans. Currently Thailand has been implementing the 4 th Master Plan for Integrated Biodiversity Management (2015-2021). The Master Plan prepared during the year 2014 by reviewing relevant information, evaluating successes and weaknesses in past operations, and organizing several brainstorming with relevant agencies to set the national targets along with defining strategies and operation details to achieve the targets. This Master Plan was approved by the Cabinet on March 10, 2015 as the country’s principle framework on biodiversity. The Master Plan comprises of national strategies, measures for their implementation as well as national targets and milestones. Five sectors were identified as the main driving force for achieving the national targets, which are; 1) public sector, 2) private sector, 3) civil society and NGO, 4) education and research sector and 5) local community. The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) was assigned as the responsible agency for the implementation of the Master Plan in collaboration with 4 major government agencies: the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Science and Technology. In addition, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Prime Minister’s Office were also identified as instrumental agencies in supporting the implementation of the master plan. The full contents of the Master Plan are available online at http://chm-thai.onep.go.th/ chm/publication_ 5. html#ms 1 This 6 th National Report (6NR) places an emphasis on the evaluation of national actions for achieving the 25 national targets set out by the Master Plan. Several parties were involved in the preparation of the 6NR either as members of the Drafting Committee or participants in the consultation workshops, and the public hearing process. Moreover, the draft 6NR was also presented to the National Committee on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity for their review and approval. 5 Thailand Biodiversity Target Relevance to the Aichi Level of National Target Rationale for the national target Biodiversity Targets application and SDG Targets Strategy 1: Integrate biodiversity values and management with participation at all levels Measure 1: Strengthening awareness and education on biodiversity 1. By 2020, every sector, Thailand has continued to place emphasis on strengthening National Aichi Targets particularly the general publics knowledge and participation of various sectors in conservation of A1 Public awareness and local communities, have an natural resources. By focusing on benefits of the conservation, the A2 Biodiversity values understanding and awareness on interconnection between nature, livelihoods and impacts from mainstreamed the importance of conservation destruction of natural resources, the society has gradually gained and sustainable use of biological knowledge and understanding on the importance