Module 1 Establishing CHM National Focal Points

This Module will discuss the establishment of a Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM) National Focal Point.

What is a CHM National Focal Point

Acting as a one of the communication channels between the national and regional levels and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, CHM National Focal Points (NFP) promote and facilitate activities in support of technical and scientific cooperation. To date, 147 Parties and Governments have established CHM National Focal Points (see: Status of CHM National Focal Points).

Similar to the Convention's CHM, a CHM National Focal Point aims to promote and support:

• Better, more cost-effective decision making;
• National, regional and international cooperation and exchange of information and expertise; transfer of technology; training; and education and awareness;
• Reduced duplication of related efforts;
• Quicker, better and more effective implementation of biodiversity-related initiatives, and of the Convention at the national, regional and international levels.

The need for the establishment of CHM National Focal Points has been recognized repeatedly by the Conference of the Parties through decision II/3, paragraph 7, decision III/4, paragraph 15, decision V/14, Annex I, paragraph (c), and decision VI/18, paragraph 1 which invites Parties to use effectively the central portal of the CHM and to establish or strengthen national, subregional or regional focal points for the CHM, if they have not done so already.