The IFAD-GEF supported 'Rehabilitation and Sustainable Use of Peatland Forests in South East Asia' or in short 'ASEAN Peatland Forest Project - APFP' aims to demonstrate, implement and scale up sustainable management and rehabilitation of peatland forests in South-East Asia. It fits within the framework of the ASEAN Peatland Management Initiative, and directly supports the APMS, and associated National Action Plans on Peatlands in the participating ASEAN countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Viet Nam, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore.

a. Strengthening institutional capacity and frameworks

The Project will strengthen inter-sectoral policy and planning frameworks for integrated peatland management, including supporting the development and implementation of National Action Plans on Peatlands. The Project will also build capacity for peatland management through training and awareness programmes in key sectoral agencies and institutions, creating a core group of peatland experts in the region. The possibility of establishing innovative financing mechanisms will be explored to support the longer-term implementation of the APMS.

b. Reducing the rate of degradation of peatlands in South East Asia

The Project will have an immediate impact on controlling peatland fires and reducing transboundary haze by developing and supporting effective prediction and warning tools for fire-prone peatlands at the regional level, while improving prevention and control mechanisms at the local level. The Project will develop an inventory of peatland areas of critical importance in the region with recommendations for management actions; particularly priority areas for biodiversity conservation and rehabilitation; and for carbon storage potential.

c. Demonstrating integrated management and rehabilitation of peatlands at target sites

The Project will develop a network of demonstration sites to showcase sustainable peatland management and rehabilitation options. Common strategies and master plans for entire peatland hydrological units will be produced through a multi-stakeholder and integrated approach at selected sites. Within demonstration sites, the Project will undertake activities to restore and improve the resilience of the ecosystem, for e.g. by blocking abandoned drainage channels to restore the hydrological regime and help reforest degraded areas.

d. Engaging the private sector and local communities in sustainable peatland management

The Project is highly innovative in that it will engage with partners across sectors and at various levels. It will work with high-impact sectors such as the oil palm community (through the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil and national oil palm associations) and the forest industry. At selected pilot sites, joint activities with the private sector and the local community would involve community forest management and integrated farming. At regional level, guidelines for best practices for plantations on peatlands will be jointly developed with the private sector.

1. Directly supports the implementation of the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy 2006-2020.
2. A coordinated, multi-country approach addresses common root causes and builds on knowledge sharing across the region.
3. Promotes an integrated approach for peatland management among relevant sectoral agencies.
4. A multi-stakeholder approach strengthens channels of communication among stakeholders— the government, NGOs, the private sector, and the local community.
5. Promotes active participation of key stakeholders, engaging the private sector and empowering local communities in sustainable peatland management.
6. Addresses community livelihood by involving the local community in sustainable use planning.
7. Demonstrates practical on-the-ground implementation to facilitate policy change, reduce transboundary haze pollution, and generate global environment benefits.