The objective of the Final Review of the ASEAN Peatland Management Strategy (APMS) 2006-2020 was to provide a consolidated assessment at national and regional levels on the implementation of the APMS and achievements of the targets; and generate information and learning to inform the formulation of the next strategy. The review was undertaken by the Global Environment Centre (GEC) in close consultation with the ASEAN Member States (AMS), ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC), and relevant stakeholders.

The review process began in March 2020, with a plan for a series of regional and country level meetings to seek stakeholder feedback and input. However due to Covid-19 pandemic, all travel plans were cancelled and revised approach using virtual meetings and remote interviews was implemented. A working paper and questionnaires were prepared and circulated to National Focal Points (NFPs) of the ASEAN Task Force on Peatlands (ATFP). A specific Task Force of the APMS Review was established to work closely with the review team. The final review was undertaken through desk study, questionnaire, focus group discussions (FGDs) and verification interviews with relevant stakeholders including experts in peatland management in the region. It also involved literature review and meetings with ASEC and the Task Force on the APMS Review/ATFP, drew upon relevant AMS reports to the ASEAN meetings; experts’ input and also harnessed experiences from previous ASEAN peatland programmes and related ASEAN processes.