. New and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity

XIII/7. New and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity

The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice recommends that the Conference of the Parties at its ninth meeting consider adopting a decision along the following lines:

Recalling that, according to Article 25, paragraph 3, of the Convention, the functions, terms of reference, organization and operation of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice may be further elaborated by the Conference of the Parties,

Also recalling that in accordance with decision VIII/10, annex III, paragraph 1, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice will fulfil its mandate under the authority of, and in accordance with, guidance laid down by the Conference of the Parties, and upon its request,

Further recalling that in accordance with VIII/10, annex III, paragraph 5, that the rules of procedure for meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity shall apply, mutatis mutandis, in accordance with rule 26, paragraph 5, to the proceedings of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice,

Underlining the need to reduce the number of agenda items for consideration by the Subsidiary Body at each meeting in order to improve the effectiveness of its proceedings (VIII/10, annex III, para. 14),

Also recalling that in accordance with decision VIII/10, annex III, appendix A, paragraph (d), one of the specific functions of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice is to identify new and emerging issues related to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity,

Emphasizing that this decision is without prejudice to the rules of procedure and to the modus operandi contained in annex III to decision VIII/10,

1. Requests the Executive Secretary to notify Parties and relevant organizations after each meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the latest date by which proposals submitted for new and emerging issues based on the information requested in paragraph 4 below and the criteria listed in paragraph 5 will still be included into the compilation mentioned below;

2. Also requests the Executive Secretary to compile the submissions in the form in which they are received and notify Parties and relevant organizations of the opportunity to contribute relevant information and views related to the proposals taking into account the criteria listed in paragraph 5 below;

3. Further requests the Executive Secretary to prepare a document compiling the original submissions and the information and views received for consideration by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice;

4. Decides that proposals for emerging issues should, where possible, be accompanied with information on:

(a) Why the issue needs urgent attention by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (including how it impacts biodiversity);

(b) How it affects the attainment of the objectives of the Convention (citing relevant articles);

(c) Thematic programmes of work and/or cross-cutting issues that could contribute to the resolution of the issue;

(d) Work already under way by relevant organizations addressing the issue; and

(e) Credible sources of information, preferably from peer-reviewed articles;

5. Further decides that the following criteria should be used for identifying new and emerging issues related to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity:

(a) Relevance of the issue to the implementation of the objectives of the Convention and its existing programmes of work;

[(b) New evidence of unexpected and significant impacts on biodiversity;]

(c) Urgency of addressing the issue/imminence of the risk caused by the issue to the effective implementation of the Convention as well as the magnitude of actual and potential impact on biodiversity;

(d) Actual geographic coverage and potential spread, including rate of spread, of the identified issue relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity;

(e) Evidence of the absence or limited availability of tools to limit or mitigate the negative impacts of the identified issue on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity;

(f) Magnitude of actual and potential impact of the identified issue on human well-being;

(g) Magnitude of actual and potential impact of the identified issue on productive sectors and economic well-being as related to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity;

6. Requests that

Option 1: [The Executive Secretary [in consultation with the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice] identifies the emerging issue to be considered by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice]

Option 2: [The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice reviews and discusses the proposals and, as appropriate, identifies the emerging issue[s] to be considered at its next meeting.]

Option 3: [The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice reviews and discusses the proposals and, as appropriate, identifies the emerging issue[s] to be considered by the Conference of the Parties.]