Voluntary Peer Review of NBSAP Revision and Implementation
The Voluntary Peer Review (VPR) is an in-depth process by which a group of reviewers from different countries reviews the development and implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of a country under review. The main objective is to strengthen Parties’ capacities, and to help make their implementation efforts more effective. This is done through peer-exchange. The development of the VPR methodology was mandated and overseen by COP (Decision XII/29). The VPR process was adopted as part of the Convention’s planning, monitoring, reporting and review mechanism by COP Decisions 14/29 and 15/6.
The Governments of Japan, Norway and Switzerland committed funds and resources to the development of the voluntary peer review process.
VPR processes undertaken to date
- Ethiopia (2016, case study)
- India (2016, case study)
- Montenegro (2017, pilot)
- Sri Lanka (2018, pilot)
- Uganda (2019, pilot)
Information brief - VPR and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Updated VPR methodology (2025 version)
VPR methodology (2016 version)
Key COP decisions and documents:
In decision 15/6, the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties adopted an enhanced multidimensional approach to planning, monitoring, reporting and review, with a view to enhancing implementation of the Convention and of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, comprising voluntary peer reviews of NBSAPs, among other elements.
Other relevant decisions and documents: