Since its first meeting in 1994, the Conference of the Parties has recognized the importance of the Convention’s relationship with biodiversity-related conventions, other international agreements, institutions and processes of relevance and has adopted decisions on cooperation at each of its meetings.
To strengthen relationships and provide frameworks for cooperation, the Secretariat has signed
Memoranda of Cooperation with numerous entities, outlining formally agreed activities or targets.
The Secretariat has also established liaison groups with the secretariats of the Rio Conventions (
Joint Liaison Group) and those of the biodiversity-related conventions (
Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions), as well as for thematic areas, such as the
Inter-agency Liaison Group on Invasive Alien Species.
The Conference of the Parties has frequently requested the Executive Secretary to examine options for enhancing implementation through improved cooperation, including by enhancing synergies in the implementation of biodiversity-related conventions (see, for example,
decision XIII/24) and establishing a cooperation framework among all relevant actors, such as a global partnership on biodiversity (
decision VII/26, paragraph 3).
Towards a global partnership
Need for a partnership: meeting the 2010 target Achieving the 2010 target, and monitoring progress towards it, will require improved coordination, synergy and partnership among various actors and programmes. Moreover, better coordination and partnerships will need to be established in order to ensure effective mainstreaming of biodiversity and the 2010 target into relevant international programmes, projects, processes and initiatives. The fulfillment of the leadership role mandated by the Strategic Plan of the Conventions will require not only greater cooperation with all relevant international instruments and processes but also the active support of such instruments and processes to the work of the Convention.
In
decision VII/26 (paragraph 3), the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary, in close collaboration with relevant conventions, organizations and bodies, to examine options for a flexible framework between all relevant actors, such as a global partnership on biodiversity, in order to enhance implementation through improved cooperation.
Possible models
The exact mandate and nature of a flexible framework for enhanced collaboration have not been clearly defined, but there are a number of possible models to follow and initiatives to build upon, as discussed in a
document on cooperation prepared for COP-7.
The Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF)
- The CPF was established in 2001, and has as its two primary objectives (i) to support the work of the UN Forum on Forests and its member countries and (ii) to enhance cooperation and coordination on forest issues. The CPF supports the implementation of IPF/IFF proposals for action.
- The CPF comprises 14 member organizations that have a central role in forest management—without necessarily having forests as their central interest—including UN bodies, convention secretariats, and international governmental and non-governmental organizations.
- Formal membership in the CPF is limited, but complemented by a broader, more informal ‘CPF network’ of forest stakeholders.
Type II partnerships
- Type II partnerships are an important outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), and are meant to complement the primary outcome of government commitments to sustainable development. Partnerships should contribute to the implementation of inter-governmental commitments in Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, and should be new (i.e., not merely reflect existing initiatives).
- Partnerships are voluntary multi-stakeholder initiatives that range in formality and composition. The inclusion of different types of actors is encouraged (e.g., inter-governmental, national and non-governmental organizations, the private sector).
Existing partnerships involving the CBD A number of initiatives and partnerships have been established to promote implementation of one or more of the Convention’s objectives. These have been established either voluntarily in direct support of the Convention or independently but recognized by the Conference of the Parties as contributing to the Convention’s objectives. Existing partnerships on which a global partnership could be built include, but are not limited to:
Cooperation (General)- Cooperation with other organizations, initiatives and conventions. UNEP/CBD/COP/7/19
- Cooperation with other bodies and contribution to the 10-year review of progress achieved since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development. UNEP/CBD/COP/6/15
The Rio Conventions
Reports of the meetings of the Joint Liaison Group are available here
The Biodiversity-related Conventions Reports of the meetings of the Biodiversity Liaison Group are available
here.
- Options for enhanced cooperation among the five biodiversity-related Conventions. UNEP/CBD/WG-RI/1/7/Add.2
- Promoting CITES-CBD Cooperation and Synergy. Proceedings of the Workshop, 20-24 April 2004, Isle of Vilm, Germany
- Progress report on the implementation of the third joint work plan (2002-2006) of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar, Iran, 1971) UNEP/CBD/COP/7/INF/27
- Migratory species and cooperation with the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/6/12.
- Opportunities for synergy in implementing the CBD, CITES, CMS, WHC and the Ramsar Convention in the context of the programmes of work on the biodiversity of dry and sub-humid lands and agrobiodiversity in Africa. UNEP/CBD/WS-Syn.Afr/1/INF/3
- Synergies and Cooperation:Status report on activities promoting synergies and cooperation between Multilateral Environmental Agreements, in particular biodiversity-related conventions, and related mechanisms. UNEP-WCMC.
The Millenium Development Goals
- The programme of work of the Convention and the Millenium Development Goals. UNEP/CBD/COP/7/20/ADD1
- Summary of the analysis of linkages between the programmes of work of the Convention and the Millennium Development Goals UNEP/CBD/COP/7/INF/23
