Decision COP III/10

Reaffirming the central importance of the implementation of Article 7 in ensuring that the objectives of the Convention are met,

Stressing the fundamental role of taxonomy in identifying the components of biological diversity,

Noting the review of methodologies for assessment of biological diversity contained in Annex I of document UNEP/CBD/COP/3/13 and the discussion of indicators contained in Annex II of that document,

1. Urges Parties to identify indicators of biological diversity and to develop innovative methods of implementing Article 7 as a high priority, in particular commending the value of rapid biological diversity assessment approaches as an efficient and cost-effective way of assessing biological diversity and identifying priorities for action, and recognizing also the role of remote sensing as a useful tool for monitoring;

2. Endorses the recommendation II/1 of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice concerning indicators, monitoring and assessment of biological diversity;

3. Endorses the recommendation II/2 of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice concerning capacity-building for taxonomy;

4. Recommends that Parties consider a step-by-step approach to the implementation of Article 7, paying attention to the indicative list of categories of important components of biological diversity set out in Annex I of the Convention, beginning with the rapid implementation of Article 7 (a) and the first part of Article 7 (c), concerning identification of important components of biological diversity and the processes and categories of activities which have or are likely to have significant adverse impacts on biological diversity;

5. Stresses, however, that such an approach should not preclude the timely implementation of other Articles of the Convention, particularly Articles 6 and 8, with respect to those components of biological diversity that have been identified;

6. Calls on Parties to cooperate on a voluntary pilot project to demonstrate the use of successful assessment and indicator methodologies;

7. Also calls on Parties to prepare, where appropriate, reports on experiences on the application of assessment methodologies and results from assessments and to disseminate these reports by appropriate mechanisms such as the clearing-house mechanism;

8. Recommends to Parties that they explore ways to make taxonomic information housed in collections world-wide readily available, in particular to countries of origin;