Decision COP 16/20

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling its decisions V/10 of 26 May 2000, VI/9 of 19 April 2002, VII/10 of 20 February 2004, IX/3 of 30 May 2008 and X/17 of 29 October 2010,

1. Decides to adopt the voluntary complementary actions related to plant conservation, as contained in the annex, as an update to the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, noting that the voluntary complementary actions concern plants in terrestrial, inland water and marine and coastal ecosystems;

2. Emphasizes that the voluntary complementary actions related to plant conservation should be viewed as a flexible framework within which national and regional actions may be developed in accordance with national priorities and capacities, taking into account differences in plant diversity among countries and the challenges faced by developing countries;

3. Invites Parties and other Governments:

4. Invites relevant international, regional and national organizations to contribute, as appropriate, to the implementation of the voluntary complementary actions related to plant conservation, in line with their respective mandates; 

5. Expresses its appreciation to the Global Partnership for Plant Conservation, including its secretariat provided by Botanic Gardens Conservation International, for supporting activities related to the development of the voluntary complementary actions related to plant conservation;

6. Invites Parties, other Governments, businesses and other relevant organizations to support botanical garden initiatives related to the conservation of plant diversity;

7. Invites the Global Partnership for Plant Conservation:

8. Invites, subject to the availability of resources, the flexible coordination mechanism for the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, as established in decision VII/10, to pursue its mandate to support Parties in the implementation of the voluntary complementary actions related to plant conservation, recognizing the need for enhanced international cooperation, including by fostering scientific and technical cooperation, capacity-building and technology transfer, to enhance the capacity of countries, in particular developing countries; 

9. Invites Parties, in accordance with Articles 20 and 21 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and relevant organizations to provide financial and technical support, as appropriate, for enabling the implementation of the voluntary complementary actions related to plant conservation and the submission of national reports on progress achieved by developing country Parties, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, and Parties with economies in transition.