Protected Planet

As Parties gather in Yerevan to take stock of progress #ForNature, we put a spotlight on the digital infrastructure provided by UNEP-WCMC that strengthens national reporting to turn commitments into effective action. 🏞️ World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas (WDPCA) Maintained by the Protected Planet team at UNEP-WCMC, WDPCA is the most comprehensive and authoritative source for tracking progress on Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Meet Heather Bingham, who leads the Protected Planet initiative, in Yerevan. 🌐 UN Biodiversity Lab (UNBL) UNBL offers state-of-the-art data and analytical tools through a free, open-access platform, supporting governments: identify where to protect, manage and restore ecosystems direct limited resources and investment prioritize action Meet Violeta Munoz , who leads UNBL for UNEP-WCMC, in Yerevan. ➡️ Swipe to see the events where they are speaking and connect with them to learn more about our work! 💡 Read about the five priorities we’re helping advance at #COP17Armenia: https://bit.ly/4hTwNnh 🔍 Find all our events and delegates: https://bit.ly/4hOE35f #CBDCOP17 #BiodiversityAction #ForNature #KMGBF

Last month, I had the pleasure of representing UNEP-WCMC at the 10th Annual Asia Protected Areas Partnership (#APAP) Technical Meeting in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. It was an incredible opportunity to connect with both new and longstanding partners to discuss protected and conserved area data across South and Southeast Asia. A particular highlight was hearing country representatives detail their inspiring progress towards Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (#KMGBF). A huge thank you to IUCN Asia, the APAP Secretariat, Sabah Parks, and all partners for hosting such an impactful workshop and for the opportunity to present on behalf of Protected Planet

What do a sacred site, territories governed by Indigenous Peoples and local communities and a sustainably managed stretch of the high seas have in common? They might not always be protected areas but could still be areas conserving biodiversity in the long term. Some of these sites could be Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) and they are helping the world reach the goal of protecting and conserving 30% of Earth’s lands and seas by 2030. 📊 As of September 2026, 7,663 OECMs have been reported on the World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas (WDPCA). Ahead of the #CBDCOP17, UNEP-WCMC, IUCN, WWF and the Protected Planet initiative have come together to talk about OECMs. Swipe through to learn 🔸 The #OECM framework and criteria agreed by governments through the Convention on Biological Diversity 🔸IUCN’s three-step framework for identifying a site as an OECM 🔸How the sites are reported to the WDPCA on Protected Planet, managed by our team at UNEP-WCMC 🔸The OECM Platform, managed by WWF, for a deep dive Check out the explainer on OECMs by the Protected Planet team🔗 https://bit.ly/4rGu4Cb Sign up for an e-course on OECMs, available on the OECM Platform👉 https://bit.ly/4hDUIHj UN Environment Programme Asia and the Pacific | UN Biodiversity #OECMsExplained #BeyondProtectedAreas

From Commitments to Measurable Results: Delivering Quality 30×30 in Asia 🌏 Delighted to have joined the 8th Technical Meeting of the Asia Protected Areas Partnership (APAP), held from 21 to 23 September 2026, in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. The meeting was co-organised by APAP and Sabah Parks, with support from Japan's Ministry of the Environment, KOEM and the GEF-8 SEAP Forests Integrated Programme. It brought together 53 conservation leaders, country delegates and experts from across Asia. APAP agreed on a clear message: achieving KMGBF Target 3 means more than expanding coverage. Effective management, connectivity and community participation matter just as much. Sabah is leading by example, working to double its marine protected areas from 7.36% to 14.71% of its waters. Delegates exchanged experience on protected-area management, marine and freshwater conservation, ecological connectivity, the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, sustainable financing and technical cooperation. They also advanced OECM implementation and Asia's priorities for CBD COP17 and WPCAC 2027. The 15th APAP Steering Committee now takes forward membership expansion, the Regional OECM Roadmap, APAP Vision 2035 and the 2027 Workplan. Sincere thanks to all delegates, Sabah Parks, our 2026–2028 Co-Chair, especially Datuk Dr. Maklarin Lakim, Datuk Peter Lintar and to Dr. Trevor Sandwith, Raquibul Amin, Ms. Mai Yamamoto, Ms Yui Ishigami, Mr Gaku Egashira, Prof. Amaran Hamzah, Olivier Chassot Jack Sutton and all partners including UNEP-WCMC MoEJ, KNPS, KOEM, and observers: National Parks Board, Singapore and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Brunei Darussalam. As Datuk Dr. Maklarin put it, conservation must move beyond commitments to measurable results. 🌿 #APAP #AsiaProtectedAreasPartnership #30x30 #KMGBF #Target3 #ProtectedAreas #OECMs #IUCN #IUCNAsia #SabahParks #Sabah #MarineProtectedAreas #Biodiversity #NatureConservation #CBDCOP17 #WPCAC2027 #IMPAC6 #RegionalCooperation #GEF #MoEJ #Biodiversity #CBDCOP17 #WPCAC2027