Decision COP 15/12

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling decisions X/22 and XII/9,

Recalling also the Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities for Biodiversity (2011-2020), and welcoming progress in its successful implementation,

Noting that, while responsibilities for implementation of the Convention rest with the Parties, there are multiple reasons for promoting the engagement of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in the implementation of the Convention,

Noting also that subnational governments, cities and other local authorities are a constituent part of many Parties and other Governments, and that the implementation and monitoring of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework needs to involve all levels of government as appropriate,

Recognizing the important role of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in the implementation of the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as monitoring and reporting, mainstreaming, resource mobilization, capacity-building and communication, education and public awareness, social participation and public access to information,

Recalling principle 2 of the ecosystem approach adopted in decision V/6,

1. Adopts the updated Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities for Biodiversity, as set out in the annex to the present decision, as a flexible framework to support Parties in accordance with national legislation;

2. Invites Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to facilitate, as appropriate, the implementation of the updated Plan of Action referred to in paragraph 1 above, according to national legislation, including by:

3. Invites Parties to communicate and report on the implementation of the updated Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Local Authorities for Biodiversity, as appropriate, in their national reports under the Convention;

4. Encourages Parties, and invites other stakeholders, including entities engaged in development finance, to invest resources, support technology and knowledge transfer, and build capacity, at the level of governance where they can be most effective;

5. Urges Parties to support subnational governments, cities and local authorities in strengthening their capacities to improve the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework;

6. Invites the Global Environment Facility to consider further expanding and strengthening its sustainable cities initiatives in its future replenishments, and piloting land- and seascape level initiatives targeted at subnational and local governance, infrastructure, biodiversity-inclusive spatial and land-use planning, and urban-rural linkages, in accordance with the priorities identified in national biodiversity strategies and action plans;

7. Requests the Executive Secretary, subject to availability of resources, to undertake a review of the role of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in the implementation of the objectives of the Convention and its Protocols and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and to submit the report to the Subsidiary Body on Implementation for consideration at its fifth meeting;

8. Also requests the Executive Secretary, subject to the availability of resources, to facilitate the work of the Global Partnership on Subnational and Local Governments for Biodiversity for the implementation of the plan of action as adopted below.