In her presentation today at the 24th Biennial Conference of the Asian Association of Agricultural Colleges and Universities (AAACU) held at Nagoya University, Japan, Dr. Amabel S. Liao, president of Western Philippines University (WPU), discussed the critical intersection of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in Palawan.
Her talk, titled “Promoting the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in the Context of Palawan,” underscored the urgent need for balance in utilizing the province’s rich natural resources while ensuring the preservation of its unique ecosystems.
Dr. Liao, who was accompanied by Dr. Lita B. Sopsop, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Ms. Anne Gellie P. Pablo, Director of the Internationalization and External Affairs Office, and Mr. Noe B. Mejasco, Campus Director of WPU El Nido Campus, began by emphasizing the global significance of Palawan. She described the province as a biodiversity hotspot, home to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tubbataha Reef and other vital natural resources. The reef, a breeding ground for much of the marine life in the Sulu Sea, plays a critical role in sustaining biodiversity not only for the Philippines but for Southeast Asia as a whole.
Dr. Liao pointed out that nine of the Philippines’ 244 protected areas are located in Palawan, covering 20% of the island. These areas are crucial for biodiversity conservation but also represent opportunities for sustainable development. However, Dr. Liao emphasized that development must be carefully managed to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, a principle that aligns with the core tenets of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS).
As part of WPU’s ongoing commitment to these goals, she highlighted several academic, research, and extension initiatives that aim to integrate sustainable practices into local communities. WPU’s academic programs, which offer free education to 12,000 students across Palawan, play a pivotal role in shaping a future generation that is well-versed in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
“WPU’s faculty are actively involved in advising various governmental and non-governmental bodies on environmental matters, from resource management to wildlife conservation,” Dr. Liao noted. “We also sit on management boards for protected areas such as the Tubbataha Reefs and Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, ensuring that academic expertise translates into meaningful action.”
Dr. Liao also discussed WPU’s research collaborations with national and international partners aimed at exploring sustainable food production and biodiversity preservation. These include projects focused on marine life conservation, such as the research on Philippine Giant Clams and abalone, as well as the establishment of a Halal Research Center to support local industries.
WPU’s extension activities, the president shared, empower local communities by offering training on climate-resilient farming, sustainable fisheries management, and the creation of eco-friendly construction materials. One notable success has been the development of a local ordinance in Dumaran, Palawan, promoting sustainable aquaculture, a direct result of the university’s GemPhil Project.
In closing, Dr. Liao emphasized WPU’s mission to promote a balanced approach to development in Palawan, one that conserves the island’s exceptional biodiversity while fostering economic growth. “We hope that our efforts in Palawan, while rooted in local realities, can contribute to global sustainability goals,” she concluded.
This is the 24th AAACU Biennial Conference, which focuses on the “Wise and Harmonized Use of Bioresources in the International Community.” The conference serves as an important platform for discussing global challenges related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable agricultural practices, in line with the principles set forth by the Nagoya Protocol.
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