Decision COP VII/28

1. Confirms that efforts to establish and maintain systems of protected areas and areas where special measures need to be taken to conserve biological diversity in line with Article 8 on in situ conservation and other relevant articles of the Convention, are essential for achieving, in implementing the ecosystem approach, the three objectives of the Convention and thus contributing to achieving the 2010 target contained in the Strategic Plan of the Convention and in the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and to achieve sustainable development and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals;

3. Also welcomes the outputs of the Vth IUCN World Parks Congress, in particular the message from the Congress to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and its contribution to the programme of work on protected areas;

4.Recalls the need to provide to developing countries, in particular the least developed and small island developing States among them, and countries with economies in transition adequate funding to support the implementation of this programme of work in accordance with Article 20 of the Convention;

5. Recognizes that Parties should implement the programme of work on protected areas, in the context of their nationally determined priorities, capacities and needs. Activities implemented domestically by Parties will be prioritized based on country and regionally specific needs, national determination, legislation, circumstances and priorities concerning protected areas issues, and their national protected areas and biodiversity strategies. Inclusion of an activity does not mean relevance of that activity to all Parties; 

6.Emphasizes that the targets included in the programme of work on protected areas provide a framework within which national and/or regional targets may be developed and activities prioritized according to national priorities and capacities and, taking into account differences in protected areas and protected area systems among countries;

7.Invites Parties and Governments to develop national and/or regional targets, and, as appropriate, to incorporate them into relevant plans, programmes and initiatives, including national biodiversity strategies and action plans;

8.Emphasizes the need for capacity-building, in developing countries, particularly in the least developed and the small island developing States amongst them, and countries with economies in transition, in order to enable them to implement the programme of work; 

9.Urges Parties, other Governments, and funding organizations to mobilize as a matter of urgency through different mechanisms adequate and timely financial resources for the implementation of the programme of work by developing countries, particularly in the least developed and the small island developing States amongst them, countries with economies in transition, in accordance with Article 20 of the Convention, with special emphasis on those elements of the programme of work requiring early action;