By Jhordan Nicole Ferrancol
Dr. Jerome L. Montemayor officially assumed leadership of the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB) on May 19, 2025 at the ACB Headquarters, coinciding with the International Day for Biodiversity.
The ceremony began with welcome remarks by Clarissa C. Arida, acting Executive Director and Director of ACB Programmes Department. Arida highlighted the center’s ongoing and incoming projects across Southeast Asia, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in conserving shared natural resources.
Atty. Jonas R. Leones, ASEAN Senior Officials on Environment Chairperson, administered the oath and delivered the opening message. He praised the growing partnerships between DENR and ACB, particularly in the areas of agriculture, marine protection, and community-led conservation efforts.
As part of the program, the ACB also launched their new institutional video and reiterated its mission to support ASEAN countries in conserving biological resources through initiatives focused on capacity development, education, public engagement, and sustainable use.
In his first address as Executive Director, Montemayor emphasized his commitment to advancing the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan and intensifying support for member states.
“We will work harder to assist and support our ASEAN member states in preserving biodiversity and sustaining the livelihoods of local communities, including indigenous peoples,” he said.
Montemayor is the fourth Executive Director of ACB. On his first official day, he expressed his intention to bolster partnerships, develop local biodiversity funding mechanisms, and make conservation efforts more inclusive and accessible.
Looking ahead, Montemayor also pledged to invest in youth programs, such as the Young ASEAN Storyteller, to cultivate a new generation of environmental leaders.
“The world will exist—but it will not exist without us. We need to make biodiversity matter to everyone,” he said.
With the Philippines set to host ASEAN events later this year, ACB’s new leadership is expected to play a critical role in shaping regional conservation efforts and fostering a more united front in addressing biodiversity loss and climate change.