Distr.

CONVENTION ON	GENERAL

BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

UNEP/CBD/COP/2/15

15 September 1995

ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Second meeting

Jakarta, 6-17 November 1995

Item 11.2 of the provisional agenda

REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CONVENTION

1.	INTRODUCTION

1.	In adopting decision I/9 on its medium-term programme of work of the Conference of the Parties, the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties held in Nassau, the Bahamas, from 28 November to 9 December 1994, decided to include on its agenda a standing item on the administration of the Convention. Accordingly, this note has been prepared by the Secretariat to facilitate the discussion of the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties on this matter. This note reports on the administration of the Convention and the activities carried out by the Secretariat between the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties in December 1994 and its second meeting in November 1995.

2.	Article 24 of the Convention establishes a secretariat with the following functions:

(a)	To arrange for and service meetings of the Conference of the Parties;

(b)	To perform the functions assigned to it by any protocol;

(c)	To prepare reports on the executions of its functions under the Convention and present them to the Conference of the Parties;

(d)	To coordinate with other relevant international bodies and, in particular to enter into such administrative and contractual arrangements as may be required for the effective discharge of its functions;

(e)	To perform such other functions as may be required by the Conference of the Parties.

3.	Article 40 of the Convention, on secretariat interim arrangements, states that the secretariat to be provided by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme shall be the secretariat referred to in Article 24, on an interim basis for the period between the entry into force of the Convention and the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties. Accordingly, the interim secretariat of the Convention was established by the Executive Director of the United nations Environment Programme in October 1993 in accordance with the relevant provisions of Governing Council decision 17/30 of 21 May 1993 in response to resolution 2 on international cooperation for the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components pending the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted by the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity, held on 22 May 1993.

4.	At its first meeting, the Conference of the Parties adopted its decision I/4 on the selection of a competent international organization to carry out the functions of the secretariat of the Convention which designated the United Nations Environment Programme to carry out the functions of the secretariat of the Convention while ensuring its autonomy to discharge the functions referred to in Article 24.

5.	Decision 18/36 on the support to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted on 26 May 1995 by the eighteenth session of the Governing Council of UNEP, welcomes the designation of the United Nations Environment Programme to carry out the functions of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and notes that it ensures the latter's autonomy to discharge the functions referred to in Article 24 of the Convention.

2.	ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PERMANENT SECRETARIAT

6.	Decision I/4 of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to select the Executive Secretary of the Secretariat for the Convention in consultation with the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties.

7.	After its classification by the competent authorities of the United Nations Organization, the post of the Executive Secretary was advertized, in accordance with the United Nations rules and regulation, on 20 February 1995 until 31 march 1995. In accordance with the mandate entrusted to her by Decision I/4 of the Conference of the Parties, the Executive Director of UNEP appointed, effective 1 September 1995, Mr. Calestous Juma Executive Secretary of the Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity. To ensure the smooth operation of the Secretariat and pending the appointment of the Executive Secretary, the Executive Director of UNEP designated Mr. Hans Alders, Director of the UNEP Regional Office for Europe as officer-in-charge for July and August 1995.

8.	At its first meeting, the Conference of the Parties also decided that the functions of the Secretariat shall be carried out by the Secretariat that was provided for under Article 40 of the Convention, until such time as the staff of the Secretariat have been appointed. Accordingly, and in order to ensure the continuity of the work, all the staff hired for the Interim Secretariat whose posts have been approved by the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties, pursuant to its decision I/6 on financing of and budget for the Convention, have been retained until 31 December 1995. An additional professional on short-term assignment acting against the post of Principal officer for intergovernmental processes and cooperative arrangements has been recruited since 1 January 1995. The composition of the Secretariat is as follows :

(a)	An Executive Secretary, responsible for overall management and leadership of the Secretariat in advancing the Convention and supporting the implementation of its provisions;

(b)	A Professional on short-term assignment acting against the post of Principal Officer for intergovernmental processes and cooperative arrangements;

(c)	Four Professionals specializing in life sciences, biotechnology, law and financial institutions;

(d)	A Junior Professional Officer who assists in issues related to biosafety, provided by the Government of Italy since February 1994;

(e)	Four General Service staff and, for short periods, five additional staff.

9.	In view of the heavy workload involved in preparing, especially in an extremely short time frame, for the meeting of the Panel of Experts on Biosafety, the Open-ended Ad-hoc Group of Experts on Biosafety, the first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, the regional preparatory meetings and the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties, the capacity of the Secretariat was supplemented by two short-term professionals and 16 short-term consultants for a total of 24 persons/months during the period January-September 1995.

10.	The recruitment process of the permanent staff was set in motion in September 1995. Regular appointments under the United Nations Rules and Regulations should be effected as of 1 January 1996. It must be noted that the recruitment process was affected by the financial difficulties faced by the Secretariat early this year due to the lack of sufficient financial resources in the Trust Fund of the Convention to undertake necessary financial commitments. The Secretariat hopes also that the international organizations which offered their support to the Secretariat will be in a position to provide as of 1 January 1996 their respective officers for secondment to the Secretariat.

3.	SUPPORT TO THE SECRETARIAT BY INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

11.	Decision I/5 on support to the Secretariat by international organizations adopted at the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties welcomes the willingness demonstrated by international organizations to support and cooperate with the Secretariat for the effective discharge of its functions, and in particular the concrete offers made by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, including by secondment of staff.

12.	According to the proposed budget for 1995 contained in Annex II of decision I/6 on financing of and budget for the Convention the secondment of the following officers was agreed upon:

(a)	A Fund Management/Administration officer at P-4 level and a programme officer on communication at P-2 Level to be provided by UNEP;

(b)	A Senior Programme Officer on marine ecology at P-4 level to be provided by UNESCO;

(c)	A Senior Programme Officer specialized in agriculture biological diversity at P-4 level to be provided by FAO.

13.	Decision I/5 of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary to coordinate with those organizations that have offered their support with a view to entering into such administrative and contractual arrangements as may be required to make effective those offers. Accordingly, on 28 December 1994, letters on the follow-up of the offers received were addressed by the Secretariat to the Executive Director of UNEP, the Administrator of UNDP, the Director General of UNESCO, the Director General of FAO, the Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the Director General of the World Nature Conservation (IUCN).

14.	On 10 May 1995, the Executive Director of UNEP informed the Secretariat of the decision taken in line with the commitments made at the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to create the position of Fund Management Officer in UNEP's Overhead Trust Funds for the Common Administration and Support Services in Geneva. The Secretariat was also informed that an additional post of Communication Officer was also created under the same budget within the Information Unit for the Conventions to be established in relation to the Common Administration and Support Services in Geneva. The establishment of the Common Administration and Support Services in Geneva is underway. However, it was understood that such decisions will be reviewed in the light of the final decision to be adopted by the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties on the location of the Secretariat.

15.	A meeting between the Secretariat of the Convention and UNESCO was held on 21 April 1995 in Paris, at the headquarters of UNESCO, on the follow-up of the implementation of Decision I/5 of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties. Following this meeting, a draft list of possible contributions of UNESCO to the implementation of the medium-term programme of work of the Conference of the Parties was submitted. The proposal of UNESCO, including the joint-production of an easily understandable text explaining the various biodiversity issues in the Convention for wide distribution, will be reflected in the programme of work of the Secretariat in 1996.

16.	On 19 April 1995, a job description of the Programme Officer on marine ecology was addressed to UNESCO at its request. On 11 July 1995, a letter was addressed by the Secretariat to UNESCO suggesting that the Programme Officer on marine ecology to be selected for secondment will join the Secretariat as from 1 September 1995 in the light of the consideration of the agenda item on marine and costal biological diversity by the first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

17.	On 29 June and 14 August 1995, letters were addressed to FAO recalling that the item of agriculture biological diversity will be considered by the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties pursuant to its medium-term programme of work and stressing the need for the selected seconded Programme Officer to join the Secretariat as soon as possible. In addition, the medium-term programme of work calls upon the Conference of the Parties at its second meeting to consider its relationship with the FAO Global System for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Accordingly, the agenda for the first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice called for advice on how the Convention can contribute to the preparation of the forthcoming International Technical Conference on the Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in 1996. At the request of the Secretariat, FAO provided updated information on its relevant activities translated into five of the United Nations official languages. This information provided the basis for documentation for the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (document UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/1/7).

18.	On 1 February 1995, a meeting between UNDP and the Secretariat was held in New York on the follow-up of decision I/5 of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties. During the meeting potential areas of collaboration were identified. On 28 February 1995, the Administrator of UNDP informed the Secretariat of the importance of having UNDP's network of country offices facilitate the preparation of country processes to initiate the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. In this regard he offered the assistance of UNDP to provide an infrastructure for communication of information and technical expertise to and from countries. He suggested that the Sustainable Development Networking Programme (SDNP) could provide an immediate vehicle for collaboration to assist the Secretariat in its efforts to network with, and facilitate exchanges among countries. In addition, he offered the collaboration of UNDP in helping countries increase their overall level of awareness of the development-related implications of the Convention, and in planning and implementing integrated development/biodiversity strategies and facilitating the coordination of external assistance (including GEF) to support development/biodiversity objectives in each countries. The Small Grants Programme of UNDP/GEF could serve as an additional vehicle to facilitate local consultation and dialogue, particularly among NGO's and community-based groups. The offer of UNDP will be reflected in the programme of work of the Secretariat for 1996.

19.	Meetings with the Secretariat and IUCN were held on 24 January and 6 March 1995 on the follow-up of decision I/5 of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties. During these meetings it was agreed that IUCN will provide its services to assist the Secretariat in the preparation of the documents related to the consideration of components of biological diversity, particularly those under threat and the implementation of Articles 6 and 8 of the Convention to be submitted to the first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and to the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

20.	On 20 December 1994, CAB International offered its collaboration to assist the Secretariat in the establishment of a clearing-house mechanism for scientific and technical cooperation.

21.	The Secretariat intends to convene immediately after the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties a meeting with all the international organization referred to in decision I/5 to agree on the concrete contribution of all international organizations that have offered to support the Secretariat for the implementation of the programme of work of the Secretariat for 1996.

4.	INTERGOVERNMENTAL MEETINGS

22.	During the reporting period, the Secretariat prepared, organized and serviced the following major intergovernmental meetings:

(a)	The Panel of Experts on Biosafety, held in Cairo, Egypt, from 1 to 5 May 1995. This meeting was prepared by the Inter-agency Task Force on Biosafety, organized by the Secretariat in Geneva 23-24 March 1995;

(b)	The Open-ended Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Biosafety, held in Madrid, Spain, from 24 to 28 July 1995;

(c)	The first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, held in Paris from 4 to 8 September 1995;

23.	The second meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 6 to 17 November 1995 is the fourth major intergovernmental meeting prepared, organized and serviced by the Secretariat.

24.	For each substantive item on the agendas of these meetings, background papers and reports were prepared. The reports of the three meetings referred to in paragraph 22 above are contained, respectively, in documents UNEP/CBD/COP/2/7 and UNEP/CBD/COP/2/5. A list of the documentation

prepared by the Secretariat for these intergovernmental meeting is contained in Annex III.

25.	In addition, during these intergovernmental meetings, the Secretariat organized and supported the following meetings: daily meetings of the Bureau; two meetings of the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice held in Geneva on 6-7 June 1995 and on 3 September in Paris; as well as meeting of the Bureau of the Conference of the parties, held in Geneva on 20 July 1995.

26.	In accordance with decision I/11 on the preparation for the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties, the Secretariat organized three regional meetings, held respectively in Pretoria, South Africa, on 9-10 October 1995 for the African region; Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 18-19 October 1995 for the Latin America and Caribbean region; and Jakarta, Indonesia, on 4-5 November 1995 for the Asian region. The Secretariat assisted also in the organization of a workshop on the practical implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Central and Eastern European Countries, held in Lessidren, Bulgaria, from 25 to 27 June 1995 and convened by the regional office for Europe of UNEP. The results of these regional meetings, which also offered an opportunity to consider national implementation of the Convention, are contained in document UNEP/CBD/COP/2/Inf.3. In addition, the Secretariat also requested to assist in the preparation of the South Pacific Biodiversity Convention regional workshop to be organized by the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in Apia, Western Samoa, in February 1996.

27.	The Secretariat also coordinated contributions of funds and arranged for the participation of developing countries and countries with economy in transition Parties in these intergovernmental meetings. Generous contribution were received from the Governments of Austria, Australia, Canada, Denmark, The European Commission, Japan, Norway, Spain , Switzerland and the United Kingdom . Annex II contains the table reflecting the voluntary contributions pledged by the Secretariat.

5.	RELATION WITH THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY

28.	At its forty-ninth session, the United Nations General Assembly adopted on

19 December 1994, its resolution 49/117 on the Convention on Biological Diversity which:

(a)	welcomes the early entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the convening of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held at Nassau from 28 November to 9 December 1994;

(b)	invites the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity to make available the results of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention as a contribution to the work of the third session of the Commission on Sustainable Development;

(c)	calls upon States which have not yet ratified the Convention to expedite their internal procedures of ratification, acceptance or approval;

(d)	will consider the progress achieved in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity at its fiftieth session under the item entitled "Environment and sustainable development", and invites the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity to report, through the Commission on Sustainable Development and the Economic and Social Council, on the results of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention.

29.	Pursuant to paragraph 2 of the United Nations General Assembly resolution 49/117, the report

of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties was addressed on 30 March 1995 to the Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development to be made available to the participants to the third session of the Commission on Sustainable Development. The summary of this report was incorporated in document E/CN.17/1995/7 concerning the conservation of biological diversity distributed at the third session of the Commission on Sustainable Development. The report of the Executive Secretary on the results of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties called for by paragraph 4 of resolution 49/117 was addressed to the same department on 26 May 1995. This report, which is contained in document UNEP/CBD/COP/2/Inf.7, will be considered by the fiftieth session of the General Assembly.

30.	On the basis of decision I/12 of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties, the forty-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted also on 19 December 1994 its resolution 49/119 on International Day for Biological Diversity which:

(a)	welcomes the recommendation of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held at Nassau from 28 November to 9 December 1994, to designate 29 December International Day for Biological Diversity;

(b)	proclaims 29 December, the date of the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity, International Day for Biological Diversity;

(c)	requests the Secretary General and the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme to take all steps necessary to ensure the successful observance of International Day for Biological Diversity.

31.	Pursuant to paragraph 3 of resolution 49/119, the Executive Director of UNEP addressed a letter on 13 July 1995 to all member States drawing their attention to the decision of the General Assembly and offering the support of UNEP and the Secretariat of the Convention to commemorate this important event. A number of international events will be organized by the Secretariat of the Convention to celebrate in 1995 the International Day on Biological Diversity.

6.	RELATION WITH THE COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

32.	Paragraph 11 of the United Nations General Assembly resolution 49/111 on the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development adopted on 19 December 1994 calls upon the Commission on Sustainable Development, in accordance with chapter 38 of Agenda 21, to develop close and clear relationships with other relevant international organizations and entities, such as the conferences of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa, and the Global Environment Facility, in order to increase its effectiveness in monitoring the implementation of Agenda 21 and other decisions of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development.

33.	The Statement from the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to the Commission on Sustainable Development at its third session, contained in Annex of decision I/8 of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties was distributed as an official document (E/CN.17/1995/27) to the meeting of the Ad-hoc Inter-sessional Working Group on Sectoral issues of the Commission on Sustainable Development, held in New-York from 27 February to 3 march 1995 and to the third session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, held in New-York from 11 to 28 April 1995. Pursuant to decision I/8, the Statement was presented on 12 April 1995 by

Dr. Ivy Dumont, President of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

34.	The third session of the Commission on Sustainable Development reaffirmed the importance of the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components, including marine and costal ecosystems. It recognized that the Convention on Biological Diversity provides the principal mechanism for advancing these objectives and noted with appreciation the statement presented by the President of the Conference of the Parties.

35.	The Commission noted the successful outcome of the first meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, in Nassau, the Bahamas, in 1994. It welcomed the adoption by the Parties of a medium-term programme of work that reflects a balance among the Convention's three objectives: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

36.	The Commission welcomed the decision of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to include in their medium-term programme, inter-alia, consideration of the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities; took note of the Statement of the Conference of Parties and indicated that it would also be desirable that future work on the protection of traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant to conservation and sustainable use should be coordinated with the relevant bodies.

7.	RELATION WITH THE OPEN-ENDED INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON FORESTS OF THE COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

37.	The third session of the Commission on Sustainable Development welcomed the invitation by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to a dialogue on biodiversity and forests and recognized the crucial role of conservation and sustainable management of all types of forests for maintaining the biological diversity of the whole planet, as well as the role of biological diversity for the integrity and functioning of forest eco-systems. The Commission emphasized that biological diversity is of essential importance for the ecosystem functions of forests and further recognized the role of conservation, management and sustainable use of forests for achieving the objectives of the Convention and welcomed future contribution of the Conference of the Parties to this end.

38.	The Commission established, under its aegis, an Open-ended ad hoc Intergovernmental Panel on Forests. In section III, paragraph 5.1, of its terms of reference, the Panel was requested to develop a clearer view of the work being carried out by international organizations and multilateral institutions and under existing instruments as appropriate, including the Convention on Biological diversity, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA) in forest-related issues, including United Nations Conference on Environment and Development decisions related to forests, and the institutional linkages emanating therefrom, in order to identify any gaps and areas requiring enhancement, as well as any areas of duplication.

39.	Section III.3 of the terms of reference of the Panel provides that "consistent with the terms of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Panel should encourage countries to consider ways and means for the effective protection and use of traditional forest-related knowledge, innovations and practices of forest dwellers, indigenous people and other local communities, as well as fair and

equitable sharing of benefits arising from such knowledge, innovations and practices".

40.	At its sixth meeting held in Geneva on 12-13 July 1995, the Interagency Committee on Sustainable Development decided to include the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity as a member of the Interagency Task Force on Forests. At its first meeting held in Geneva on 20-21 July 1995, the Interagency Task Force on Forests designated the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity as the lead agency for addressing issues pertaining to the relation between indigenous peoples and forests. The programme of work and organizational modalities for the Open-ended Intergovernmental Panel on Forests adopted at the first meeting of the Panel, held in New York from 11 to 15 September 1995, took note of the items of relevance to its mandate contained in the medium-term programme of work of the Conference of the Parties as contained in decision I/8 of the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

41.	The contribution of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity on issues related to the effective protection and use of traditional forest-related knowledge, innovations and practices of forest dwellers, indigenous people and other local communities, as well as on the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from such knowledge, innovations and practices is expected for April 1996. To facilitate such contribution, the Secretariat will organize in early January a workshop concerning these issues.

8.	COOPERATION WITH THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY

42.	In accordance with paragraph 4 of decision I/2 on Financial Resources and Mechanism adopted by the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties, the Secretariat held a number of meetings with the Secretariat of the Global Environment Facility on the content of a memorandum of understanding between the Conference of the Parties and the Global Environment Facility to be considered by the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The draft memorandum of understanding contained in document UNEP/CBD/COP/2/11 reflects the results of such consultations carried out on the basis of the views expressed by participants in the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties and the written submission provided by Parties.

43.	The Secretariat participated in the Council meetings of the Global Environment Facility held in February, May, July and October 1995. During the Council meeting held in February 1995, the Secretariat presented decision I/2 on financial resources and mechanism adopted by the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties, and in particular its Annex I on policy, strategy, programme priorities and eligibility criteria for access to and utilization of financial resources and Annex III on interim guidelines for monitoring and evaluation of utilization of financial resources by the restructured Global Environment Facility. At the subsequent Council meetings a presentation was made by the Secretariat on its activities of relevance to the mandate of the Council.

44.	The Secretariat was also closely associated to the work of the GEF Operations Committee (GEFOP) which has been established to review projects proposals with a view to recommending projects proposals to be included in the programme of work of the Council. During the meetings of the GEFOP held on a monthly basis through video and/or telephone conferences, the cooperation with the representatives of its secretariat, as well as with other participating organizations, has been extremely encouraging. The close association of the Secretariat with the work of the GEFOP was demonstrated by the decision taken to entrust the Secretariat with the responsibility of chairing the task force on enabling activities. The task force chaired by the Secretariat during its meeting held in April 1995 agreed, inter alia, on the scope of enabling activities, the cooperation among the implementing agencies, as well as on the monitoring and evaluation of enabling activities funded by GEF. Document UNEP/CBD/COP/2/9 contains the details of the cooperation between the Secretariat and the Global Environment Facility.

9.	COOPERATION WITH OTHER INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

45.	In fulfilling its responsibilities, the Secretariat continued to develop close working relations with a range of competent regional and international organizations and with relevant non-governmental organizations. In conformity with Article 24 of the Convention, the Secretariat held periodic meetings and discussions with the United Nations entities.

46.	In the light of the adoption by the eighteenth session of UNEP's Governing Council and in particular its decision I/36 on biological diversity and decision 18/40 on the proposed programme of work and fund programme activities for the biennium 1996-1997, the Secretariat will suggest a joint programme of cooperation with the concerned departments of UNEP so as to ensure that the envisaged activities in the area of biological diversity and those to be undertaken under the Convention are mutually supportive.

47.	Regarding the implementation of decision I/36 B on biosafety adopted by the eighteenth session of UNEP's Governing Council, the Secretariat participated in the following regional and subregional consultations of government-designated experts to review the draft technical guidelines on biosafety organized by UNEP: Western Asia, held in Amman, Jordan, from 25 to 27 April 1995; South America and the Caribbean, held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 28 to 30 June 1995; Western Europe and North America, held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 5 to 7 July 1995; and Africa, held in Cairo, Egypt, from 10 to 12 July 1995. In addition, the Secretariat was also associated to the preparation of the Global Biodiversity Assessment carried out by UNEP.

48.	Areas of cooperation have been identified with some international and intergovernmental organization for the implementation of the Convention at the national level including in the areas of technical assistance, education and training, public awareness. A joint programme of cooperation with these entities will be finalize in early 1996 in the light of the results of the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties. This joint programme of cooperation, aimed at assisting the Parties, in particular the developing countries and countries with economy in transition, in the implementation of the provisions of the Convention at the national level, will draw on the experience and the services of the Regional Offices of UNEP and the field representations of UNDP. The financial implications of such activities are reflected in the proposed budget for the Convention for 1996-1997 (document UNEP/CBD/COP/2/3).

49.	The Secretariat will also pursue the contacts already established at the request of the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on the Convention on Biological Diversity (ICCBD), with the industrial sector including agricultural, pharmaceutical, chemical, petroleum and other industries. Subject to the availability of voluntary contributions, a workshop with the participation of the representative of the industrial sector and the business communities will be convened by the Secretariat.

50.	Appropriate support has been extended to the non-governmental community at intergovernmental meetings organized by the Secretariat. Contacts with the representatives of the non-governmental community are maintained on a regular basis. The interest of the non-governmental community to the work of the Convention is demonstrated by the increased number of requests of accreditation to meetings convened by the Conference of the Parties and its organs.

10.	COOPERATION WITH CONVENTION SECRETARIATS

51.	The Secretariat continued to pay particular attention to the need to establish and strengthen close working relations with the secretariats of international legal instruments relevant to the objectives of the Convention and, in particular, the secretariats of conventions related to biological diversity.

52.	In carrying out its activities, the Secretariat endeavored to develop a coherent understanding of existing biodiversity-related conventions in order to identify working relationships with the Convention on Biological Diversity. Close contacts were maintained and a number of meetings were held with the following conventions secretariats: Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention), Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn Convention), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention). Contacts were also established with the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage and the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. The Secretariat also intends to establish contacts with secretariats that will service the recently adopted Agreement on the Conservation and Management of Stradding Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks.

53.	The meetings held with the secretariats of biodiversity-related conventions demonstrated the need for continuing structured discussions with a view to establishing appropriate forms of cooperation, creating synergies and avoiding duplication of efforts and overlap of activities. Accordingly, the outline of the note prepared by the Secretariat on the review of selected conventions, international agreements and institutions related to biological diversity contained in document UNEP/CBD/COP/2/Inf.2 was submitted and agreed upon by the meeting with the secretariats of biological-related conventions held on 23 May 1995 at the headquarters of the Secretariat in Geneva.

54.	The Secretariat participated also to the second and third meetings on coordination of Secretariats of Environmental Conventions, held respectively in Nairobi on 14 and 16 May 1995 and in Geneva from 3 to 5 July 1995. These meetings were convened by the Executive Director of UNEP pursuant to Chapter 38 of Agenda 21 and paragraph 7 of UNEP Governing Council decision 17/25 of 21 May 1993. At these meetings broad agreement was reached on activities related to: organization of work of future secretariat consultation, assessment and information exchange, environmental law and policy, and public information and awareness.

11.	PROMOTION OF THE CONVENTION

55.	The Secretariat continually interacts with Governments through Permanent Missions to the United Nations, in particular in Geneva and New York, regarding work in progress and relevant issues under the Convention. A meeting of the Secretariat with the Environment Exchange Network was held in Geneva on 27 April 1995 on the preparation of the meeting of the Panel of Experts on Biosafety and the Open-ended Ad Hoc Group of Experts on Biosafety, as well as on the funding of the activities of the Secretariat. A series of briefing meetings with the representatives of the Permanent Missions in Geneva and New York will be organized by the Secretariat on the preparation of the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

56.	The Secretariat has been represented at major intergovernmental meetings of direct relevance to the objectives of the Convention. Particular attention has been paid to meetings of the Global Environment Facility Council and the Commission on Sustainable Development and its organs. In addition, the Secretariat was also represented in other meetings organized at the regional level or by

non-governmental organizations on topics relevant to the medium-term programme of work of the Conference of the Parties and the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, such as assessment of the status of biological diversity and its components, safety in biotechnology and capacity building for the implementation of the Convention. At these meetings, the Secretariat made contributions highlighting, inter alia, the processes undertaken within the context of the Convention.

57.	An essential part of the information requirements under the Convention is to promote and publicize the objectives and provisions of the Convention as well as the decisions of the Conference of the Parties and its organs. In order to meet the needs for simple, attractive promotional materials about the Convention, the Secretariat has published the text of the Convention and a leaflet in all United Nations official languages. Subject to the availability of voluntary contributions, the Secretariat intends to publish a summary of the Convention in selected local languages. In 1995, the Secretariat also prepared and published in English and French two issues of the information bulletin of the Convention to mark the first and second meetings of the Conference of the Parties. In 1996, the information bulletin of the Convention will be issued also in Spanish. The information bulletin as well as all substantive documents prepared by the Secretariat are available on Internet WorldWide Web site: http://www.unep.ch/.bio/biodiv:html. On an average, fifteen accessions are made on a daily basis by users of the site.

58.	To mark the tenth anniversary of the International year of youth, an exhibit on "Le regard d'un enfant" (a child's look) was organized in September-October 1995 by the Botanical Garden of Geneva in cooperation with the Secretariat. A poster and card were issued. This exhibit will be also presented at the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

59.	To commemorate the International Day on Biological Diversity, proclaimed by resolution 49/119 adopted by the forty-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly, a number of events will be organized by the Secretariat including a policy dialogue on biological diversity. In accordance with the letter of the Executive Director of UNEP addressed on 12 July 1995 to all member States of the United Nations, the Secretariat will assist upon request Parties in the commemoration of this event.

12.	BUDGET FOR THE CONVENTION

60.	At its first meeting, the Conference of the Parties adopted the budget for the Convention for 1995 contained in Annex II of decision I/6 on financing of and budget for the Convention. The Conference of the Parties urged all the Parties to pay promptly their contributions. Paragraph 7 of

part A of decision I/6 requested the Executive Director of UNEP to ensure, by advances, that the 1995 budget of the Convention is financed until such time as sufficient contributions have been paid in 1995 to allow the functioning of the Secretariat. Accordingly, UNEP advanced 1.87 million dollars for the period 1 January to 30 June 1995.

61.	Up to the date of the preparation of this report, contributions received from Parties are indicated in the table contained in Annex I. As of 31 August 1995 a total contribution of US$ 3,351,665 has been paid by Parties towards the regular Trust Fund budget as per the scale of contributions adopted by the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

62.	The prompt paiement by Parties of their contributions to the budget for the Convention for 1996 will ensure the smooth functioning of the activities to be carried out under the Convention pursuant to the provisions of the medium-term programmes of work of the Conference of the Parties and the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice.

13.	CONCLUSION

63.	This has been a period of rapid growth in the number of Parties to the Convention as well as in the activities entrusted to the Secretariat pursuant to the decision adopted by the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties. As of 30 August 1995, 124 States and the European Community were Parties to the Convention.

64.	The decisions adopted by the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity put into operation the Convention and its mechanisms. The increased activities of the Secretariat during the period covered by this report reflects the responsibilities entrusted to the Secretariat on the basis of the medium-term programme of work of the Conference of the Parties. However, the proposed budget for 1995 was formulated prior to the adoption of the medium-term programme of work. The proposed budget for 1996 presents the first opportunity to reflect the financial implications of the activities to be carried out by the Secretariat in the implementation of the medium-term programme of work.

65.	The generous contributions of many Governments and institutions and their support to the Secretariat are gratefully acknowledged by the Secretariat.