Within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) is envisioned to promote and facilitate technical and scientific cooperation among Parties, other Governments and stakeholders; develop a global mechanism for exchanging and integrating information on biodiversity; and develop the necessary human and technological network. Parties to the Convention are to comply with this provision and should establish their national CHMs.

Likewise, relevant partners are encouraged to contribute to the establishment of regional, sub-regional or thematic clearing-house mechanisms, with a view to provide support to national clearing-house mechanisms, to share knowledge and to facilitate cooperation on science and innovation as well as the transfer of technology.

The ASEAN regional Clearing House Mechanism for biodiversity information (ASEAN CHM) will facilitate consolidation, access, analysis and promotion of regional biodiversity information, issues and initiatives of the ASEAN Member States (AMS).

The ASEAN CHM is envisioned to capture, organize and harmonize the common information that is publicly available in the CHMs of the AMS and provide the regional overview of biodiversity information. It will contain the following features:

1. Links to the CHM sites of the AMS news and events;
2. Publications;
3. Links to other relevant sites and databases like Biodiversity Information Sharing Service (BISS);
4. Tools like RSS, Report Net, Search, Policy tools, brokering, aggregation, communities of practice tools, early warning system (EWS) DSS and maps; and
5. Use of other technologies.

The ASEAN CHM forms a key component of the digital knowledge management initiative of ACB and will provide the primary access and single portal to all AMS biodiversity information resources and applications.

The ASEAN CHM will fully support the Convention's thematic and cross-cutting programmes of work by promoting cooperation, supporting exchange of information, and developing a regional network of partners on biodiversity.