Open and FAIR data sharing are building blocks to bolster biodiversity conservation in Southeast Asia

The tropical Southeast Asian region, with its unique geographical features, is home to a multitude of distinct species that are affected by various human and natural activities. The availability of biodiversity data is crucial for understanding species distribution and responses to environmental changes to develop effective conservation priorities. In this perspective paper, I examined the patterns and trends of biodiversity in Southeast Asia within the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and highlighted important gaps, priorities, and opportunities for the region. Thailand accounted for 28 % of GBIF occurrence records in Southeast Asia, followed by Indonesia (19 %), Malaysia (18 %), and the Philippines (13 %). A significant portion of biodiversity data comes from citizen science platforms, such as eBird (56 %) and iNaturalists (6 %), highligthing the significance of public in data mobilisation. Nonetheless, the biodiversity data for five of the 11 Southeast Asian countries are poorly represented by domestic researchers, with approximately 41 % of the region's GBIF occurrence data contributed by researchers or institutions from outside Southeast Asia. Furthermore, over the past 24 years (2000–2024), at least 30 % of terrestrial vertebrate occurrence records in Southeast Asia overlap with Protected Areas (PAs). In Southeast Asia, where species often span borders, I argue that open and FAIR data sharing should be considered standard practices in the biodiversity research community, integrated into biodiversity agendas, and funding policies. Consequently, I propose the open-NOTE steps (Normalise, Organise, Train, and Engage), as a practical framework to promote open and FAIR data sharing in Southeast Asia and beyond. • Biodiversity data for Southeast Asia are crucial for conservation planning. • Thailand accounts for 28 % of the GBIF species occurrence records in Southeast Asia. • Thirty percent of terrestrial vertebrate records overlap with Protected Areas in the region. • Forty-one percent of Southeast Asia's GBIF data came from researchers outside this region. • FAIR data sharing can boost conservation through evidence-based decision-making and community support.