NEWS & CALENDAR OF EVENTS
News & Calendar of Events:
Fourth Asian Elephant Range States Meeting organised in Siem Reap, Cambodia, 5th to 7th February, 2025
Government representatives from 13 Asian elephant range countries, select members of the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG), and of the Center for Species Survival: Asian Elephants convened for the Fourth Asian Elephant Range States Meeting, held in Siem Reap, Cambodia, from 5th to 7th February 2025. The meeting was hosted by the Government of Cambodia and organised by the IUCN SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group (AsESG), with support from the Center for Species Survival: Asian Elephant (CSS: Asian Elephant).
“Cambodia is honoured to host the Fourth Asian Elephant Range States Meeting and welcomes all range country participants. I sincerely thank everyone for joining this important gathering to strengthen regional cooperation and collaboration for elephant conservation,” said by His Excellency Dr. Srey Sunleang, Director General, General Directorate of Natural Protected Areas, Ministry of Environment, Cambodia. “Collaborative initiatives, such as all Asian elephant range countries coming together for conservation, are crucial in ensuring a sustainable future for Asian elephants.”
Over the course of three days, the meeting included 14 technical sessions, bringing together participants to discuss key conservation challenges, exchange solutions, and explore collaborative strategies. The first day began with country presentations, where government representatives provided updates on the conservation status of elephants in their respective countries. This was followed by sessions that delved into critical issues such as elephant corridor management, habitat connectivity, minimising the impact of linear infrastructure on elephant habitats, human-elephant conflict mitigation, and management of captive elephants.
Discussions also focused on the development of national elephant conservation action plans, enhancing transboundary collaboration, securing sustainable funding for conservation efforts, and harnessing technology to advance elephant conservation. Delegates examined best practices for conducting elephant population surveys, emphasising the use of modern technologies such as genetic databases, infrared cameras, drones, and AI to more effectively monitor and manage elephant populations. A dedicated session on the Asian Elephant Database addressed the challenges faced by the range countries, particularly in data collection, sharing, and standardisation. Participants engaged in discussions on strengthening data-driven conservation, improving regional coordination, and supporting informed decision-making. .
The meeting was supported by CSS: Asian Elephant, a centre of the IUCN SSC dedicated to the conservation of the Asian elephant across its thirteen range countries. The centre plays a pivotal role in promoting research, conservation planning, public awareness, and capacity-building while fostering regional cooperation through knowledge exchange. Working towards the fulfilment of the target actions outlined in the 2022 Kathmandu Declaration for Asian Elephant Conservation, CSS: Asian Elephant is a collaborative partnership between IUCN SSC, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department of Odisha. Additionally, the Columbus Zoo has committed to fully fund the CSS for the initial five years, ensuring a solid foundation for the Centre's impactful operations.
“The Government of Cambodia has truly put together a remarkable meeting, and we are grateful for their hospitality. As we conclude three days of deliberations, we are set to launch a joint statement by range states—an important commitment to conserving the endangered Asian elephant.”, said by Mr. Vivek Menon, IUCN Councillor and Chair, IUCN SSC AsESG. “While we recognise the many challenges in its conservation, this meeting reaffirms our shared vision and hope for collective action. The Asian elephant is not just a part of our natural heritage but deeply embedded in our cultures, and together, we strive to secure its future.”
The meeting concluded with the launch of the 2025 Siem Reap Declaration for Asian Elephant Conservation, reaffirming the commitment of participating countries to continued regional collaboration. Expanding on the foundation of the 2022 Kathmandu Declaration, this new Declaration provides a comprehensive framework for range-wide conservation efforts, ensuring the long-term protection of wild elephant populations and their habitats across Asia.
The launching ceremony featured remarks from His Excellency Dr. Kim Nong, Undersecretary of State and Chair of Technical Working Group on Elephants, Ministry of Environment, Government of Cambodia highlighting the significance of the Asian Elephant Range States Meeting as a platform for dialogue and collaboration in conserving this endangered species. He also shared the Government of Cambodia’s vision and ongoing efforts to enhance the management and conservation of the Asian elephant.
The Siem Reap Declaration
“Cambodia is honoured to host the Fourth Asian Elephant Range States Meeting and welcomes all range country participants. I sincerely thank everyone for joining this important gathering to strengthen regional cooperation and collaboration for elephant conservation,” said by His Excellency Dr. Srey Sunleang, Director General, General Directorate of Natural Protected Areas, Ministry of Environment, Cambodia. “Collaborative initiatives, such as all Asian elephant range countries coming together for conservation, are crucial in ensuring a sustainable future for Asian elephants.”
Over the course of three days, the meeting included 14 technical sessions, bringing together participants to discuss key conservation challenges, exchange solutions, and explore collaborative strategies. The first day began with country presentations, where government representatives provided updates on the conservation status of elephants in their respective countries. This was followed by sessions that delved into critical issues such as elephant corridor management, habitat connectivity, minimising the impact of linear infrastructure on elephant habitats, human-elephant conflict mitigation, and management of captive elephants.
Discussions also focused on the development of national elephant conservation action plans, enhancing transboundary collaboration, securing sustainable funding for conservation efforts, and harnessing technology to advance elephant conservation. Delegates examined best practices for conducting elephant population surveys, emphasising the use of modern technologies such as genetic databases, infrared cameras, drones, and AI to more effectively monitor and manage elephant populations. A dedicated session on the Asian Elephant Database addressed the challenges faced by the range countries, particularly in data collection, sharing, and standardisation. Participants engaged in discussions on strengthening data-driven conservation, improving regional coordination, and supporting informed decision-making. .
The meeting was supported by CSS: Asian Elephant, a centre of the IUCN SSC dedicated to the conservation of the Asian elephant across its thirteen range countries. The centre plays a pivotal role in promoting research, conservation planning, public awareness, and capacity-building while fostering regional cooperation through knowledge exchange. Working towards the fulfilment of the target actions outlined in the 2022 Kathmandu Declaration for Asian Elephant Conservation, CSS: Asian Elephant is a collaborative partnership between IUCN SSC, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department of Odisha. Additionally, the Columbus Zoo has committed to fully fund the CSS for the initial five years, ensuring a solid foundation for the Centre's impactful operations.
“The Government of Cambodia has truly put together a remarkable meeting, and we are grateful for their hospitality. As we conclude three days of deliberations, we are set to launch a joint statement by range states—an important commitment to conserving the endangered Asian elephant.”, said by Mr. Vivek Menon, IUCN Councillor and Chair, IUCN SSC AsESG. “While we recognise the many challenges in its conservation, this meeting reaffirms our shared vision and hope for collective action. The Asian elephant is not just a part of our natural heritage but deeply embedded in our cultures, and together, we strive to secure its future.”
The meeting concluded with the launch of the 2025 Siem Reap Declaration for Asian Elephant Conservation, reaffirming the commitment of participating countries to continued regional collaboration. Expanding on the foundation of the 2022 Kathmandu Declaration, this new Declaration provides a comprehensive framework for range-wide conservation efforts, ensuring the long-term protection of wild elephant populations and their habitats across Asia.
The launching ceremony featured remarks from His Excellency Dr. Kim Nong, Undersecretary of State and Chair of Technical Working Group on Elephants, Ministry of Environment, Government of Cambodia highlighting the significance of the Asian Elephant Range States Meeting as a platform for dialogue and collaboration in conserving this endangered species. He also shared the Government of Cambodia’s vision and ongoing efforts to enhance the management and conservation of the Asian elephant.
The Siem Reap Declaration
