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  • Side Events (79)

Meetings

  • SBSTTA 14 (79)

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Aichi Targets

Date

Side Event

Towards standards for national watchlists of sites of biodiversity conservation significance (convened by IUCN with the Philippine Government, the Ramsar Convention, UNESCO, UNEP-WCMC, BirdLife International, Conservation International, NatureKenya, and Plantlife International)

Organizer
International Union for Conservation of Nature

Date and Time
20 May 2010 13:15 - 14:45

Meeting
Fourteenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 14)

Over the last 30 years numerous practical techniques have been developed for the identification of sites of biodiversity conservation significance. These include global intergovernmental mechanisms, notably Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar sites), World Heritage sites and Biosphere Reserves; and non-statutory mechanisms, such as Important Bird Areas, Important Plant Areas, and Important Sites for Freshwater Biodiversity. Meanwhile, the underpinning science to this has emerged in academia as systematic conservation planning. Although these techniques share similar approaches, their diversity can appear to complicate policy: which methodology should be adopted in support of, for example, national implementation of the Program of Work on Protected Areas? To resolve this challenge, IUCN is now convening a process for consolidation of consistent standards for national identification of sites of biodiversity conservation significance, currently termed “key biodiversity areas”, building from the principles of systematic conservation planning. Such watchlists support national implementation of the CBD and other policy instruments, as well as informing decision-making in local government and communities, and the private sector. This side event will comprise short presentations highlighting the value of such national watchlists from a CBD party (the Philippines), from civil society (NatureKenya), and from the private sector, followed by a panel discussion.