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SBSTTA 16 Recommendation XVI/1

XVI/1.Ways and means to improve the effectiveness of the subsidiary body and options for collaboration with the intergovernmental science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services

A.The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice recommends that the Conference of the Parties adopts a decision along the following lines:
The Conference of the Parties,
Recalling its decisions IX/9, IX/15, X/2 and X/11, and emphasizing that regular assessments are needed at multiple scales to provide decision makers with the necessary information base for adaptive management and to promote the necessary political will for action in addressing biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystems and ecosystem services and the implications for human well-being,
Recalling that the function of the Subsidiary Body, as set out in Article 25 of the Convention, is to provide the Conference of the Parties and, as appropriate, its other subsidiary bodies, with timely advice relating to the implementation of the Convention, including providing scientific and technical assessments of the status of biological diversity and of the effects of the types of measures taken in accordance with the provisions of the Convention,
Reaffirming the need to strengthen the ability of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to deliver advice in this regard,
Stressing the need to support the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities in the work of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice,
Recognizing that the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is an independent intergovernmental body and the need to respect its functions, operating principles and institutional arrangements,
1.Noting the assessment of the effectiveness of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice in meeting its mandate contained in section II and annex II of the note by the Executive Secretary on Ways and means to improve the effectiveness of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/16/2), requests the Executive Secretary, subject to the availability of the necessary resources:
(a)To collate information from existing decisions and reviews relating to:
(i)The scientific and technical needs related to the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets;
(ii)Existing policy support tools and methodologies (including intercultural tools and methodologies) developed or used under the Convention and their adequacy, impact and obstacles to their uptake and identify gaps and needs for further development of such tools and methodologies;
(iii)The adequacy of observations, and of data systems, for monitoring the biodiversity attributes addressed in the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, drawing, inter alia, upon information in the report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Indicators for the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/15/INF/6) and the report on the Adequacy of Biodiversity Observation Systems to Support the CBD 2020 Targets (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/15/INF/8); and
(iv)Options for assessing the effects of the types of measures taken in accordance with the provisions of the Convention; and
(b)To report on progress on the above matters to a meeting of the Subsidiary Body prior to the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties;
2.Requests the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, on the basis of its analysis of the report on progress on the matters in paragraph 1 (b) above, to identify the scientific and technical needs related to the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and to report thereon to the Conference of the Parties at its twelfth meeting;
3.Welcomes the establishment in Panama City, Panama, on 21 April 2012, of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and other outcomes of the plenary meeting to determine modalities and institutional arrangements for this platform, in particular the decision providing for the Chair of the Subsidiary Body to participate as an observer in the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel, in order to promote adequate communication and synergies between SBSTTA and IPBES;
4.Invites the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services to consider ways in which the activities of the Platform could build on and contribute to the fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook, as well as other future assessments of the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and information on further policy options available to deliver the 2050 Vision of the Strategic Plan, as appropriate and in accordance with the mandates of SBSTTA and IPBES;
5.Considers that the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets provide a useful flexible framework for the delivery of the biodiversity agenda at all levels and invites the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services to consider how its work plan can contribute to their achievement;
6.Decides that the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, within its mandate and following further guidance of the Conference of the Parties:
(a)Should identify the scientific and technical needs related to the implementation of the Strategic Plan that could be considered by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services;
(b)Should consider the relevant outputs from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and take them into account and complement them with further work as needed in its recommendations to the Conference of the Parties;
7.Requests the Executive Secretary to explore options for formalizing the collaboration with the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and report to the Conference of the Parties at its twelfth meeting.
B.The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice
1.Takes note of the intersessional work to be undertaken by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and requests the Executive Secretary, in accordance with the mandate provided through paragraph 4 of decision X/11 of the Conference of the Parties, to contribute to the intersessional work to be undertaken by the Platform and to submit a report to the Conference of the Parties at its eleventh meeting on the intersessional work and its implications for the Convention on Biological Diversity;
2.Invites Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities to submit views on the process, under the Convention on Biological Diversity, on how requests from the Convention would be conveyed to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services;
3.Requests the Executive Secretary, based on the submissions referred to in paragraph 2 above, to prepare proposals for the consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its eleventh meeting, on how requests from the Convention on Biological Diversity would be conveyed to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.

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  • United Nations
  • United Nations Environment Programme