Welcome on the Dry and Sub-humid Lands online discussion forum!

We are seeking inputs and guidance from Parties for the achievement of the 2010 Biodiversity Target in Dry and Sub-humid Lands.

Information collected on this forum, which will end on 31 January 2008, will be used to prepare a document for review by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity at its ninth meeting. This document should identify:

1. Priority activities to be implemented by Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations, including supporting actions to be undertaken by the executive secretaries of the CBD and UNCCD;
2. Capacity needs, and opportunities to satisfy these needs, to facilitate implementation of the priority activities
3. Major obstacles that may prevent achievement of the 2010 biodiversity targets with respect to dry and sub-humid lands and further identify ways to overcome these obstacles;

This online forum is divided into 4 questions and 3 background documents will be available to participants. Once you are registered, you can answer any of the four questions.

Click here to register or sign-in.

Background document

1. Obstacles to the achievement of the 2010 biodiversity target in dry and sub-humid lands
2. Capacity needs towards the achievement of the 2010 biodiversity target in dry and sub-humid lands
3. Proposed activities to promote the achievement of the 2010 biodiversity target in dry and sub-humid lands

Useful Definitions

Dry and sub-humid lands
Arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid lands, savanna and grasslands and Mediterranean landscapes

2010 Biodiversity target
To achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on earth.

Discussions

1. Do you think the proposed lists of obstacles (document 1) and capacity needs (document 2) are representative and complete? If your response is no, please explain why.

2. Can you please identify priorities for action drawn from the lists of obstacles (document 1) and capacity needs (document 2)?

3. Among the proposed activities (document 3), please tell which ones you think are either:

1. Not technically feasible
2. Not politically acceptable,
3. Not financially viable,
4. Not reflective of country priorities and
5. Not sustainable?

And why?

4. Could you please provide information on lessons learned and good practice examples that could form a basis for the implementation of additional activities towards the achievement of the 2010 biodiversity target in dry and sub-humid lands?