National Biodiversity Action Plans B.E. 2566-2570 is a strategic document designed and developed to guide Thailand's efforts in protecting, conserving, and promoting the sustainable use of biodiversity. This plan is the result of a comprehensive analysis and assessment of past situations, current circumstances, and future expectations, aimed at carefully improving the country's biodiversity operations while keeping pace with global developments. The plan was formulated through consultations with stakeholders and cooperation from all sectors of society, including government, private sector, and citizens, to foster understanding and awareness of the importance of biodiversity and to collectively set goals for addressing critical issues that impact ecosystems and biodiversity, as well as to promote long-term sustainable development.

This Action Plan has been designed to align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which was adopted at the 15^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 15) in December 2022, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This alignment not only ensures that Thailand's efforts are supported by global biodiversity conservation initiatives but also reinforces Thailand's commitment to international agreements and facilitates the country's significant participation in global biodiversity conservation efforts. Furthermore, this plan transformed national policies, strategies, and plans related to natural resources and biodiversity into actionable measures at various levels, including government agencies, private sector, and citizens. It also ensures coherence and integration between national and international obligations efficiently.

The methodology for drafting this Action Plan involved gathering information from multiple sources, including academic data from various government agencies, and collecting opinions from stakeholders. These consultations were conducted through forums, seminars, and surveys to obtain comprehensive and diverse information. Additionally, there was a review of the performance of the Biodiversity Management Action Plan 2017-2022 to identify existing gaps and challenges. The process also included the use of risk analysis tools and opportunities for the protection, conservation, and utilization of biodiversity.

The guiding principles used in developing this Action Plan include the principle of sustainability, which emphasizes the balanced use of natural resources with consideration for environmental impacts; the principle of participation, which prioritizes the involvement of all sectors of society; the principle of integration, which focuses on linking and coordinating policies and plans at all levels; the principle of resilience, which enhances the ability to adapt to environmental changes; and the principle of equity, which emphasizes fair benefit-sharing and equal access to resources.

This Action Plan has established three key national strategies. The first strategy is to strengthen conservation efforts by increasing protection of important habitats and species through improved management approaches, expansion of protected areas, and development of measures to protect threatened species. The second strategy is to promote sustainable use of biodiversity resources in a manner that is equitable and beneficial to local communities, including sustainable management of agricultural, forestry, tourism, and fishery areas to achieve balanced utilization without damaging nature. The third strategy is to incorporate the importance of biodiversity into national and sectoral policies, planning processes, and development projects by integrating biodiversity into policies and plans across all development sectors, including tools, mechanisms, financial support, incentives, and legislation.

Furthermore, this Action Plan has established 12 national biodiversity targets. These targets have been developed to address the implementation gaps identified from the results of the previous Action Plan. The objectives of each target are as follows:

Target 1 aims to reduce the loss of important biodiversity areas through effective spatial planning.

Target 2 seeks to increase protected areas of biodiversity importance and restore degraded ecosystems, ensuring the existence of well-preserved natural areas that can support species conservation. This will be achieved by increasing Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) outside protected areas and establishing appropriate restoration and management measures.

Target 3 aims to enhance the conservation status of threatened species by establishing appropriate protection and management measures.

Target 4 focuses on strengthening ecosystem resilience to climate change and pollution through the development of suitable adaptation and management measures.

Target 5 aims to increase the value and income of local communities from biological resources by promoting a bio-based economy.

Target 6 seeks to improve sustainable management in production and service sectors, including tourism, by establishing appropriate management measures and promoting sustainable agriculture, forestry management, fishery resource management, and tourism.

Target 7 aims to establish measures and mechanisms for access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources by promoting the enforcement of access and benefit-sharing mechanisms and regulations.

Target 8 focuses on integrating biodiversity into the operations of all sectors by developing guidelines for incorporating biodiversity management issues into various sector operations and creating local-level biodiversity management plans.

Target 9 aims to mobilize financial resources for biodiversity conservation from both domestic and international sources.

Target 10 seeks to develop biodiversity data and knowledge systems, as well as promote awareness, by developing data systems to support decision-making and enhancing awareness across various sectors.

Target 11 aims to develop capacity and cooperation in technology transfer, including research, through knowledge exchange and fostering academic cooperation both domestically and internationally.

Target 12 focuses on strengthening policy and legal frameworks for biodiversity by developing appropriate policy and legal frameworks.

This Action Plan has set challenging goals for each strategy to help close the gaps identified from the DPSIR (Driving forces, Pressures, State, Impact, Responses) assessment. Strategy One aims to increase protected areas to at least 30% of the country's total area by 2030 to enhance conservation of important habitats and endangered species. Strategy Two aims to increase the value and income of local communities from biological resource-based goods and services, enforce access and benefit-sharing regulations, and promote sustainable agriculture and forest management for balanced and sustainable use of natural resources. Strategy Three focuses on integrating biodiversity into policies and plans across all sectors, pushing for at least 5 local-level biodiversity management plans, and disclosing at least 20% of biodiversity-related data to ensure national development and planning can effectively coordinate and promote biodiversity conservation.

To ensure effective implementation, the Action Plan outlines approaches for driving the plan's execution, including the use of financial mechanisms and funding support. It specifies measures and actions that various stakeholders must undertake and establishes a plan for monitoring and evaluating performance with clear responsibilities and timeframes. Key measures include developing a national biodiversity action plan monitoring system to track progress, identify emerging threats, and provide information for adaptive measures; strengthening community participation to empower local communities through participation and benefit-sharing mechanisms; promoting public-private partnerships to support cooperation between government agencies, private sector, civil society organizations, community organizations, and educational institutions; and securing sustainable financial resources from domestic and international sources to support biodiversity conservation efforts.

Successful implementation of the Action Plan requires cooperation from multiple stakeholders, including government agencies leading in coordination and enforcement of biodiversity laws and policies; local communities playing a crucial role in grassroots conservation and sustainable use; the private sector participating in sustainable development through social responsibility and environmentally friendly business practices; civil society organizations supporting awareness promotion and local conservation; and educational and research institutions providing scientific knowledge and innovation for biodiversity management.

This Action Plan is not merely a planning document, but aims to serve as a catalyst and a call to action for all sectors of society to collaborate in protecting and preserving the natural heritage of biodiversity, which is an urgent matter. The Action Plan calls upon all stakeholders to cooperate, share resources, and commit to implementing the plan to ensure progress towards a sustainable future for Thailand's biodiversity.