The Conference of the Parties
1. Adopts the proposed process for the periodic assessment of the status and trends of biological diversity, in dry and sub‑humid lands, as described in table 1 below, taking into account national laws, policies and programmes and recognizing the urgency for action in those countries severely affected by land degradation, focusing on strengthening the capacities of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to conduct assessments at the national level and build on the knowledge and structures of ongoing global assessments, as well as national assessments;
2. Adopts the proposal prepared by the Executive Secretary for the further refinement of the programme of work and suggesting collaborating partners as indicated in the annex to the present decision;
3. Requests the Executive Secretary to ensure that the parts of the programme of work relating to other thematic programmes of work of the Convention are taken into account when developing and reviewing these programmes of work;
4. Requests the Executive Secretary, in consultation with Parties, to develop targets for the implementation of the programme of work, taking into account especially national action programmes to combat desertification, the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, the Global Taxonomy Initiative, the Strategic Plan of the Convention, as well as the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, for consideration by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice. Such a process could follow the approach taken in the development of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (decision VI/9, annex) and be in line with decision VII/8, on monitoring and indicators;
5. Requests the Executive Secretary, in collaboration with the secretariats of the other Rio conventions and other biodiversity related conventions, to further develop mechanisms for facilitating the synergistic implementation of these conventions, especially at the national level, as described in sections III and IV of the note by the Executive Secretary on dry and sub-humid lands prepared for the eighth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/8/10). Such mechanisms could include:
(a) Joint work programmes at the national level as appropriate;
(b) The activities of the joint liaison group of the three Rioconventions and potential additional members, and
(c) Joint activities with a focus on several elements:
(i) Integration of activities related to national biodiversity strategies and action plans with national action programmes for the Convention to Combat Desertification, national adaptation programmes of action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Ramsar wetland policies and other relevant programmes, including national strategies for sustainable development and poverty reduction;
(ii) Capacity-building, information systems, institutional arrangements and joint planning activities between the coordinating bodies and focal points of the conventions;
(iii) Development of criteria for synergy projects and development and application of "good practice" synergy projects at the national level;
(iv) Sound preparation, formulation of objectives, organization and follow-up of national and regional synergy workshops;
(v) Training courses and awareness-raising among relevant stakeholders;
(vi) Consultation, decision-making and implementation processes with the full participation of relevant stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, non-Governmental organizations and the private sector.
These mechanisms should take into account existing experience, as documented by, inter alia, the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification (CRIC), and the "Operational Guidelines for Expedited Funding of National Self Assessment of Capacity-building Needs" of the Global Environment Facility, and the role and responsibilities of the Global Environment Facility and the Global Mechanism of the Convention to Combat Desertification in promoting synergy;
6. Further requests the Executive Secretary, in collaboration with the other Rio and other biodiversity related conventions, to facilitate at the national level the review of the national biodiversity strategies and action plans under the Convention on Biological Diversity, in order to harmonize them with the national action programmes under the Convention to Combat Desertification and the national adaptation plans of action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, with a focus on poverty alleviation and intersectoral integration;
7. Recognizes that the effective implementation of this programme of work is subject to the availability of financial, technological and human resources, and urges Parties, other Governments countries, international organizations, and relevant stakeholders that are in a position to do so to develop partnerships and other means to provide the necessary support;
8. Take note of the reports of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the land degradation assessment in drylands project (LADA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on how they address the assessment needs of the programme of work on biological diversity of dry and sub-humid lands, and especially on ways to strengthen national efforts to conduct assessments;
9. Welcomes the joint work programme between the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the Convention on Biological Diversity (UNEP/CBD/COP/7/INF/28) and Parties and relevant stakeholders to contribute to the implementation of its components.
Table 1. Proposed process for the periodic assessment of status and trends of biological diversity in dry and sub‑humid lands (Phases II-IV will depend on the recommendations made after completion of phase I).
Phase I: 2002‑2004 (COP7)
1. Invite LADA and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment to investigate how the needs of the dry and sub‑humid lands could be integrated into the ongoing assessments, emphasizing proposals and ways to strengthen national efforts to conduct assessments.
2. Develop proposals for mechanisms(s) linking national assessment to regional/global assessment/report processes.
3. Participatory development of draft guidelines for national assessments, including indicators initiated.
Phase II: 2004‑2006 (COP8)
4. Agree to final guidelines for national assessments and adoption for implementation.
5. Implementation mechanism agreed upon and functional.
Phase III: 2006‑2012
6. Data collection, processing and communication according to agreed guidelines and mechanisms.
7. In 2010, Parties report on WSSD biodiversity‑related targets, as appropriate.
8. Global assessment report on status and trends of biological diversity, including information from national assessments.
Phase IV: 10-year periodic assessment reports
9. Periodic ten‑year report based on continuous assessments at national level and up‑scaling.
Annex
SYNTHESIS TABLE OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND TIMEFRAMES, POTENTIAL ACTORS, AND INDICATORS OF PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME OF WORK ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERISTY OF DRY AND SUB-HUMID LANDS
Activity
Expected outcomes
Time-frame
Key actors
Status
Progress indicators
Date
PART A: ASSESSMENTS
Activity 1. Assessment of status and trends
- Comprehensive review and assessment report on status and trends of biological diversity in dry and sub-humid lands
2012
FAO, LADA, MA, Parties, SCBD, UNCCD, TPNs, CGIAR agencies
Planned
Preliminary assessment
Draft full assessment
2006
2010
Activity 2. Areas of particular value and/or under threat
- Review and assessment of areas of value/under threat
World Heritage Centre, MAB Secretariat, WCPA, IUCN, UNEP-WCMC, Parties
Draft map and assessment report
2008
Activity 3. Indicators
- Indicators for assessment of status and trends fully operational
FAO, LADA, MA, Parties, SCBD.
In progress
Draft set of indicators
2004
Activity 4. Knowledge on processes that affect biodiversity
- Reports and publications on the structure and functioning of dry and sub-humid lands ecosystems, including the potential impact of climate change and poverty on dry and sub-humid lands
Ongoing
Various research and development institutes, including local knowledge systems, Parties
Draft summary publication
AHTEG on biodiversity and climate change
2003
Activity 5. Benefits derived from biological diversity
- Compilation of information on local and global benefits
- Economic valuation of priority specific sites
Various research and development institutes, including local knowledge systems, Parties.
AHTEG on dry and sub-humid lands
Draft publication
2002
- Assessment of the socio-economic impact of biodiversity loss and linkage to poverty
Parties, various research and development institutes, including local knowledge systems
AHTEG on dry and sub-humid lands Draft report
2005
- Case-studies on inter-linkages between biodiversity loss and poverty
Parties, collaborating partners including WIPO, SCBD
Submission of case-studies from Parties
Activity 6. Best management practices
- Case-studies including consideration of traditional knowledge
- Guidelines for assessment of good practices
- Case-studies of applied Ecosystem Management Approach
SCBD, Parties, TWNSO, GEF
Draft guidelines
PART B: TARGETED ACTIONS
Activity 7. Measures for conservation and sustainable use
(a) Protected areas
- Guidelines on establishment of "adequate and effective protected areas networks"
WCPA, Environmental conventions, IUCN, World Heritage, MAB Sec.
In process
Protected areas report
- Additional protected area established
Parties
(b) Rehabilitation and/or restoration
- Report and database on appropriate technologies and transfer mechanisms
Norway, SCBD, Parties and various collaborating partner
Workshop on transfer of technologies
- Evaluation of effectiveness of measures at test sites
Proposed
Sites established; exchange visits between affected countries
- Measures implemented through NBSAPs and NAPs
Explicit rehabilitation Project implemented worldwide
(c) Invasive alien species
- Increased information and information exchange on invasive alien species
Parties, supported by GISP
Workshops, CHM includes explicit information
- Guidelines and mechanisms for best management; integration through NBSAPs
Parties, GISP
(d) Production systems
- Operational guidelines on sustainable use, good farming practices, integrated production system and drought preparedness
Parties, FAO, CGIAR centres, WB, various research institutes
- Progress report on development of incentives, including "fair and equitable" markets
Draft resource paper; 3rd National Reports
(e) Water resources
- Guidelines on management and sustainable use of water resources implemented
Parties, Ramsar and other environmental conventions, GIWA, research institutes
Guidelines drafted
- Case-studies on best practices available
Submission of case-studies by Parties
2007
(f) In situ and ex situ conservation
- Guidelines for in situ and ex situ conservation and management needs based on best practices implemented
WCPA, IUCN, WWF, CGIAR centres, Parties
- Capacities of zoos and seedbanks and other institutions for ex situ conservation strengthened
Parties, regional centres
Integration into NBSAP and NAP
(g) Economic valuation and adaptive technologies
- Study on economic valuation of goods and services in areas of specific value for biodiversity
Parties, WB, various research and development institutes
Draft report by AHTEG
- Guidelines for the use of economic instruments implemented through NBSAP
Parties, various research and development institutes
(h) Plant and animal biomass
- Case studies on best practices
Parties, various collaborating partners
- Incorporation of lessons learnt in NBSAPs and NAPs
(i) Training, education and public awareness
- Training programmes nationally and regionally in place
Parties, regional centres of excellence, TPN of UNCCD, GM
Training workshops per year per region
- Public awareness campaigns on the importance of dry and sub-humid lands biodiversity
Parties, CBD, UNCCD
Year of biodiversity in dry and sub-humid lands
(j) Information on sustainable use
- Development of information exchange mechanisms
Parties, sub-regional organizations, TPNs
Planned, ongoing
TPNs discuss 2 themes relevant to PoW per year
(k) Promotion of research and development programmes
- Research priorities established
Parties, research and development institutes
Partnerships for collaborative research
- Pilot projects developed and implemented on local level
Demonstration sites per region per year
(l) Integrated catchment management and endangered species
- Case-studies on (i) integrated catchment management, (ii) migratory species corridors, (iii) conservation of rare and endangered species
Case-studies per region documented
(m) Cooperation with relevant conventions
- Memoranda of Cooperation (MoC) with relevant conventions
Various conventions
- Joint work programme with relevant conventions
Synergy workshops
Pilot synergy projects
Activity 8. Promotion of responsible resource management
(a) Local institutional structures; and indigenous and local techniques
- Case-studies in place and success stories documented and shared
Regional level exchange
Visit programmes in place
- Broad implementation through NBSAPs and NAPs
Parties, GM
(b) Decentralization of management
- Case-studies and success stories of community-based management of resources
- Case studies on the effect of users' access to land and water resources
Publication of case-study; exchange visits to sites
(c) Institutions for land tenure and conflict resolution
- Case-studies and success stories of strengthened national organization structures
Workshops demonstrating case examples
(d) Transboundary issues
Guidelines on transboundary collaboration implemented through NBSAPs and NAPs
Parties, WCPA, IGOs
Increased number of bilateral and subregional collaborative arrangements in place
(e) Policies and instruments
Mechanisms for collaboration between respective national focal points developed
Parties, SCBD, UNCCD, GM
Synergy workshops held per annum
Case-studies, guidelines for cross-sectoral integration, integration of NBSAPs and NAPs
Presentation of first case-studies (UNCCD CRIC 1)
Activity 9. Support for sustainable livelihoods
(a) Income diversification
- Case-studies on income diversification
Initial case-studies reported on
- Guidelines for income diversification opportunities implemented through NBSAP and NAPs
(b) Sustainable harvesting
- Guidelines on best practices incorporated in NBSAPs, NAPs and other relevant policies
(c) Innovations for local income generation
- Relevant case-studies made available
Workshops and exchange visits
(d) Market development
- Products derived from sustainable use increasingly marketed
Parties, WTO
- Conducive market relationships developed
(e) Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits
- Guidelines produced and integrated in NBSAPs, NAPs and other relevant policies
Parties, SCBD
Indicative list of potential collaborators [2]/ and abbreviations
CBD=Convention on Biological Diversity; CCD=Convention to Combat Desertification; CGIAR=Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research; CIAT=International Centre for Tropical Agriculture; CIFOR=Centre for International Forestry Research; CILSS=Permanent Inter‑State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel; CITES=Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; CMS = Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals; CPF=Collaborative Partnership on Forests; FAO=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; GEF=Global Environment Facility; GISP=Global Invasive Species Project; GIWA=Global International Waters Assessment, GM=Global Mechanisms of the UNCCD, ICARDA=International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas; ICRAF=International Centre for Research in Agroforestry; ICRISAT=International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‑arid Tropics; IFAD=International Fund for Agricultural Development; IGBP=International Geosphere and Biosphere Programme; IITA=International Institute for Tropical Agriculture; ILRI=International Livestock Research Institute; ILTER=International Long‑term Ecological Research Network, IPGRI=International Plant Genetic Resources Institute; IPPC=Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control; IGO=InterGovernmental organization; IUCN=World Conservation Union; IUFRO=International Union of Forestry Research Organizations; LUCC=Land Use and Cover Change Programme (of IGBP); MA=Millennium Ecosystem Assessment; OIE=World Organization for Animal Health; OSS=Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel; SADC=Southern African Development Community; TPN=Thematic Programme Networks of the CCD; TWNSO=Third World Network of Scientific organizations; UNDP=United Nations Development Programme; UNEP=United Nations Environment Programme; UNEP‑WCMC=World Conservation Monitoring Centre; UNESCO=United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; UNESCO-MAB=Man and Biosphere Project; UNFCCC=United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; UNFF=United Nations Forum on Forests; UNITAR=United Nations Institute for Training and Research; WB=World Bank; WCPA=World Commission on Protected Areas; WHC=World Heritage Centre (UNESCO); WIPO=World Intellectual Property Organization; WMO=World Meteorological Organization; WRI=World Resource Institute; WTO=World Trade Organization; WWF=World Wide Fund for Nature
[2]/ As listed in the report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on the Biodiversity of Dry and Sub-Humid Lands (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/8/INF/2) and updated based on a questionnaire sent out in August 2002.
