Decision COP III/18

Affirming that the implementation of incentive measures, in a broad social, cultural and economic context, is of central importance to the realization of the three objectives of the Convention,

Recalling that economic and social development and poverty eradication are the first and overriding priorities of developing countries,

Recognizing that incentive measures are country-specific and need to take into account varying legal, political, economic and social conditions, 

Noting that local and indigenous communities and the private sector have an important role in the design and implementation of incentive measures,

Taking note of document UNEP/CBD/COP/3/24, 

1. Endorses recommendation II/9 of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice;

2. Resolves that incentive measures shall be included as appropriate on the agenda of the Conference of the Parties and be integrated into the sectoral and thematic items under the medium-term programme of work of the Conference of the Parties;

3. Encourages Parties to review their existing legislation and economic policies, to identify and promote incentive for the conservation and sustainable use of components of biological diversity, stressing the importance of taking appropriate action on incentives that threaten biological diversity;

4. Encourages Parties to ensure adequate incorporation of the market and non-market values of biological diversity into plans, policies and programmes and other relevant areas, inter alia, national accounting systems and investment strategies;

5. Encourages Parties to develop training and capacity-building programmes to implement incentive measures and promote private-sector initiatives in this regard;

6. Encourages Parties to incorporate biological diversity considerations into impact assessments, consistent with Article 14 of the Convention, as a step in the design and implementation of incentive measures;

7. Invites Parties to share experiences on incentive measures and make relevant case studies available to the Secretariat, and requests the Executive Secretary to facilitate the exchange of information on incentive measures, including case studies, amongst Parties, through appropriate means such as the clearing-house mechanism and regional workshops;

8. Requests the Executive Secretary to provide an initial background document for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its fourth meeting, providing guidance to the Parties on the design and implementation of incentive measures;

9. Requests the Executive Secretary to take into consideration relevant work under way in other forums, such as United Nations Conference on Trade and Development and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development;