Information

WGRI 3 Recommendations

WGRI 3 Recommendation 3/1

3/1.Implementation of the Convention and the Strategic Plan

The Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention recommends that the Conference of the Parties at its tenth meeting adopt a decision along the following lines:
The Conference of the Parties,
Taking note of the report on progress in the implementation of the Strategic Plan contained in the note by the Executive Secretary on implementation of the Strategic Plan and progress towards the 2010 biodiversity target, and in-depth review of goals 1 and 4 of the Strategic Plan (UNEP/CBD/WG-RI/3/2),
Welcoming the substantial progress made by Parties towards some of the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan, in particular with regard to the development of national biodiversity strategies and action plans, the engagement of stakeholders, and the widespread recognition of the 2010 biodiversity target,
Expressing concern over the limitations in the financial human and technical resources available to Parties to fully implement the Convention, especially for developing countries and, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as countries with economies in transition,
Emphasizing the need for a balanced and enhanced implementation of the Convention’s three objectives,
Recalling its earlier decisions related to capacity building, in particular decisions VIII/8 and IX/8,
1.Emphasizes the need for increased support to Parties, especially developing countries and, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as countries with economies in transition, to strengthen capacity for the implementation of the Convention, in line with the updated Strategic Plan of the Convention 2011-2020, including:
(a)Support for the updating of national biodiversity strategies and action plans as effective instruments to promote the implementation of the Strategic Plan and mainstreaming of biodiversity at the national level;
(b)Human resource development, including training on technical topics and communication skills and stakeholder involvement, with emphasis on strengthening the expertise of local partners;
(c)Strengthening of national institutions to ensure the effective provision, exchange and use of biodiversity-related information, to provide monitoring of implementation, and to ensure policy coherence and facilitate coordination among sectors so as to promote implementation in all sectors;
(d)Strengthening of cooperation at regional and subregional levels;
(e)Enhanced knowledge management to facilitate improved access to and effective use of relevant knowledge, information and technologies, through a strengthened central clearing-house mechanism and national clearing-house mechanism nodes;
(f)Support to assess, on a scientific basis, the economic and other values of biodiversity and ecosystems in order to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of biodiversity, and thereby contribute to the mobilization of additional resources for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity;
2.Invites Parties to establish mechanisms at all levels to foster the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, civil-society organizations and all stakeholders in the full implementation of the objectives, of the Convention, the Strategic Plan for the period 2011-2020 and the biodiversity targets;1
3.Requests the Global Environment Facility to provide adequate and timely financial support for the updating of national biodiversity strategies and action plans and related enabling activities, and requests the Global Environment Facility and its implementing agencies to ensure that procedures are in place to ensure an expeditious disbursement of funds;
4.Invites other donors, Governments and multilateral and bilateral agencies to provide financial, technical and technological support to developing countries, particularly least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as countries with economies in transition, to strengthen their capacities to implement the Convention, including support for relevant initiatives and strategies of indigenous and local communities;
5.Requests the Executive Secretary, in collaboration with Parties, other Governments and relevant international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Environment Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and other partners, to continue facilitating the provision of support to countries for capacity building activities, including through regional and/or subregional workshops on updating and revising national biodiversity strategies and action plans, the mainstreaming of biodiversity and the enhancement of the clearing-house mechanism;
6.Further requests the Executive Secretary to:
(a)Prepare a further and in-depth analysis of the main reasons why the 2010 biodiversity target has not been met despite the activities undertaken by Parties, drawing upon the third edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook, the fourth national reports and other relevant sources of information; and
(b)Develop guides on integrating biodiversity into relevant sectors and cross-sectoral policies, plans and programmes.

1 Alternatively, this paragraph could be included in the recommendation on the Strategic Plan for the period 2011-2020.