On 5 October 2026, UNU-IAS co-organized an online session of the 18th International Forum for Sustainable Asia and the Pacific (ISAP 2026), focused on how socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS) can contribute to biodiversity through the recognition of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). The session was organized in partnership with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) and the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ).
The session highlighted the potential of locally managed landscapes and seascapes to support implementation of the “30x30” target for biodiversity. This target, the third of 23 under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, commits countries to conserve and manage at least 30% of global terrestrial, inland water, coastal and marine areas by 2030.
Opening the session, Hiroshi Ono (Director, IGES) highlighted the interconnected nature of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, emphasizing the need for synergistic approaches. He noted that SEPLS could foster such synergies by bringing diverse stakeholders together to manage landscapes and seascapes sustainably.
Koji Miwa (Research Manager, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Unit, IGES) introduced the Satoyama Development Mechanism (SDM), a financing mechanism under the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) that supports sustainable management and revitalization of SEPLS.
Ulrika ÅBERG (Senior Programme Officer, IUCN) explained that Target 3 went beyond expanding protected areas, calling for areas to be effectively managed, well-connected and equitably governed. She introduced OECMs as areas that achieve effective, long-term in-situ conservation of biodiversity and presented a handbook developed in partnership with UNU-IAS to support IPSI members in achieving recognition of SEPLS as OECMs.
Presentations explored the OECM recognition process and implementation in different regional contexts. Andrea Calispa (Environmental Consultant, Fundación para la Investigación y el Desarrollo Social [FIDES]) shared efforts to advance recognition of the Portoviejo River Estuary Biocorridor in Ecuador as an OECM. This process illustrated the importance of clearly documenting ecological characteristics, land tenure and rights and existing governance arrangements. Surangan Kodituwakku (CEO, Green Movement of Sri Lanka) outlined progress made by Sri Lanka towards developing national criteria and procedures for OECM recognition, highlighting ongoing challenges in institutional coordination and the need for a clear implementation framework.
Chi-Che Lin (Section Chief, Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency [FANCA]) presented conservation experiences in production-oriented agricultural landscapes, highlighting how local governance could connect biodiversity conservation with farming and consumer choices. The conservation of pheasant-tailed jacanas in agricultural wetlands illustrates how demand for “jacana-friendly” water lotus can encourage farmers to adjust harvesting practices during the breeding season, helping protect habitat while supporting farmers’ incomes. Hiroki Fujimoto (MOEJ) outlined efforts by the Government of Japan to advance 30x30, including the creation of a national certification scheme for Kyosei Sites. One example is a local fishing community that has led restoration of eelgrass beds to support the recovery of fishery resources.
A panel discussion stressed the need for collaboration not only between local communities and researchers, but also with governments and the private sector to support monitoring and funding.
