The State of Biodiversity in Asia and the Pacific: a mid-term review of progress towards the Aichi biodiversity targets

Despite some progress in tackling growing threats to biodiversity and ecosystems on its lands, forests and waters, Asia and the Pacific is fast losing its unique flora and fauna. The rapid economic growth in the Asia Pacific region, accompanied by increased resource use by a growing urban and middle-class population is contributing to the significant pressures on the region’s biodiversity, according to a new report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The State of Biodiversity in Asia and the Pacific, which was launched on the International Day for Biodiversity, celebrated ahead of the second United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-2) in Nairobi, Kenya, takes stock of regional progress towards a set of 20 global biodiversity goals known as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The report, prepared jointly by UNEP and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), builds on the fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook published in 2014. The report reveals that although progress has been made in meeting some of the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, such as increasing protected areas and more policies in support of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the region still lags in meeting many of the targets set for 2020.