THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THE NATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR OECMS IN MALAYSIA

This paper will present the process of developing the National Framework for Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in Malaysia. The process began not from scratch, but by building on a previous framework developed by the South-East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP) that began in 2019. Essentially the recently completed framework, commissioned by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (MNRES), is aligned to the CBD definition and criteria for OECMs. Despite following the guidance documents on assessing and recognising OECMs prepared by WCPA, the Malaysian framework reflects the country’s distinctive governance system. Central to the framework is the proposed role of ‘implementing partners’, to support the implementation of the OECM concept notably the site assessment process. A key recommendation is the use of maps that show areas with high biodiversity to support the site assessment process – populating these maps with sites that could be recognised as OECMs will potentially create ecological corridors that maximises connectivity. Ultimately sites recognised as OECMs in combination with protected areas will contribute to Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (30 X 30).