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WGRI 1 Recommendations

WGRI 1 Recommendation 1/2

1/2.Review of processes

The Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention
1.Requests the Executive Secretary to develop, maintain, and publish on the website of the Convention on Biological Diversity an up-to-date list of standard notional costs covering all costs, including travel costs for participation from developing countries and countries with economies in transition for meetings of Convention bodies and expert groups and for other items with substantial costs, for use in estimating the cost implications of decisions under negotiation;
2.Recalling paragraphs 2 and 4 of decision VII/33 on the process for consolidating decisions of the Conference of the Parties and noting the need to align this process with the schedule for in-depth review of issues outlined in the multi-year programme of work of the Conference of the Parties up to 2010, requests the Executive Secretary, under the guidance of the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties, to propose draft consolidated decisions for issues proposed for in-depth discussion at its eighth meeting, namely dry and sub-humid lands biodiversity, Article 8(j), the Global Taxonomy Initiative, education and public awareness, national reports, cooperation with other bodies, and operations of the Convention;
3.Takes note of the outcome of the International Conference "Biodiversity: Science and Governance", held in Paris in January 2005, and invites the Executive Secretary to report on progress to the Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting;
4.Requests the Executive Secretary, in consultation with the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, to explore options for facilitating exchange of information and views on the items on the agenda of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, including through informal workshops, with a view to facilitating the formal discussion of such items at meetings of the Subsidiary Body, and to report on such options to the Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting;
5.Requests the Executive Secretary, in consultation with the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to consolidate the existing modus operandiof Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, the proposed Operational Plan of the Subsidiary Body contained in annex I to this recommendation and the recommendations of this Working Group;
6.Recommends that the Conference of the Parties, at its eighth meeting, considers improved working arrangements for ad hoc open-ended working groups;
7.Requests the Executive Secretary to compile the following information to assist the Conference of the Parties, at its eighth meeting, in its consideration of improved working arrangements for ad hoc open-ended working groups: relevant decisions of the Conference of the Parties (V/20), the mandates of previous and existing ad hoc open-ended working groups, submissions by Parties to the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention, the note by the Executive Secretary on review of processes under the Convention (UNEP/CBD/WGRI/1/3 and Add.1), existing materials on procedures for subsidiary bodies in other conventions, the rules of procedure for the Conference of the Parties, the modus operandi of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, and a reference list of final reports from ad hoc open-ended working groups;
8.Recommends that the Conference of the Parties, at its eighth meeting, considers that, subject to the availability of the necessary budgetary resources and/or voluntary contributions, the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention will meet prior to the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties;
9.Recommends that the Conference of the Parties, at its eighth meeting, considers the procedure for decision-making with a view to reaching an agreement on paragraph 1 of rule 40 of the rules of procedure as soon as possible;
10.Recalling paragraph 3 of decision VI/27, requests the Executive Secretary to collect, compile and disseminate information on existing regional networks and mechanisms as a means of encouraging further regional and subregional cooperation;
11.Recalling paragraph 17 of decision VI/27 B, recommends that the Conference of the Parties consider approving the funding of participation of at least two delegates from developing countries or countries with economies in transition in meetings of the Conference of the Parties and the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice through the Special Voluntary Trust Fund for Facilitating Participation of Parties in the Convention Process (BZ Trust Fund);
12.Requests the Executive Secretary to prepare, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting, a series of options for restructuring the meeting schedule of the Convention to streamline Convention processes, including the implications of changing the frequency of its ordinary meetings;
13.Recommends that the Conference of the Parties adopt a decision along the following lines:
The Conference of the Parties

I.The Conference of the Parties

1.Decides to maintain the current periodicity of its ordinary meetings until its tenth meeting in 2010.
2.Requests the Executive Secretary, in consultation with the Bureau and the host country of any meeting of the Conference of the Parties, to develop a format for the ministerial segment that will enhance its contribution to the Conference of the Parties and generate support for, and raise awareness of, biodiversity-related issues and the implementation of the Convention, and further requeststhe Executive Secretary to work with host countries to ensure effective and productive ministerial segments;
3.Decides to consider the procedure contained in annex II below as guidance for the process of priority-setting for the allocation of financial resources by the Conference of the Parties;
4.Decides to refine the multi-year programme of work of the Conference of the Parties up to 2010, specifying strategic issues for evaluating progress or supporting implementation for in-depth consideration, and to align the process for the consolidation of decisions with the schedule for in-depth consideration of issues, as set out in annex III below;
5.Requests the Executive Secretary to compile a list of all proposals for new principles, guidelines and other tools contained in the draft decisions for the Conference of the Parties, and to update this as new proposals emerge over the course of a meeting;
6.Requests the Executive Secretary, under the guidance of the Bureau, to propose draft consolidated decisions for issues related to agricultural biodiversity, the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, invasive alien species, incentive measures, the ecosystem approach, island biodiversity, national biodiversity strategies and action plans, the financial mechanism and additional financial resources, and identification and monitoring, for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties at its ninth meeting, and to communicate the proposed draft consolidated decisions to Parties, Governments and relevant international organizations for their review and comments at least six months prior to that meeting;
7.Requests the Executive Secretary, in preparing for meetings of the Conference of the Parties, to keep the number and length of documents to a minimum, and to circulate documents to Parties as early as possible, preferably no later than three months in advance of meetings;
8.Further requests the Executive Secretary to minimize overlap among draft decisions, and to note linkages among them in the corresponding documentation, and encourages Parties and the Executive Secretary to bear these linkages and the need to maintain a manageable number of decisions in mind when considering or preparing draft decisions and to consider the amendment of current decisions before proposing additional ones;
9.Decides to maintain the changes it made to rule 21 of the rules of procedure in paragraph 5 of decision V/20;

II.The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice

10.Notes with appreciation the work of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to carry out its mandate effectively as defined in Article 25 of the Convention;
11.Requests the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to ensure that assessments are carried out in an objective and authoritative manner, and that sufficient time is allocated for the consideration of results of assessments (in line with its recommendations VI/5 and X/2);
12.Requests the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to ensure that terms of reference for ad hoc technical expert groups clearly indicate their mandate, duration of operation and expected outcomes, that their mandates are limited to the provision of scientific and technical advice and assessments, and that ad hoc technical expert groups conform to their mandates;
13.Requests Parties to give priority to the nomination of appropriate scientific and technical experts for participation in ad hoc technical expert groups and other assessment processes, and decides to discontinue the maintenance and use of the roster of experts;
14.Requests the Executive Secretary to develop and maintain a list of upcoming meetings of ad hoc technical expert groups, other expert groups and assessment processes that require Parties to identify experts, and to circulate the list to all national focal points after each meeting of the Conference of the Parties and the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice;
15.Decides to replace the first sentence of paragraph 12 (b) of the modus operandi of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (decision IV/16, annex I) with the following paragraph:
The Executive Secretary, in consultation with the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, will select scientific and technical experts from the nominations submitted by Parties for each ad hoc technical expert group;
16.Endorses the consolidated modus operandi of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice;
17.Recognizing that Parties determine the specific responsibilities of their focal points to the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, notes that such focal points act as liaisons with the Secretariat on behalf of their Parties with regard to scientific, technical and technological matters related to the Convention and that, in doing so, they may undertake the following tasks:
(a)Developing linkages, and facilitating information exchange, between the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and relevant regional and national agencies and experts;
(b)Responding to requests for input from the Conference of the Parties and the Secretariat related to scientific, technical and technological issues;
(c)Communicating and collaborating with focal points for the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice in other countries to improve the effectiveness of the Subsidiary Body and to facilitate implementation of the Convention;
(d)Collaborating with other national-level focal points for the Convention on Biological Diversity and focal points from other biodiversity-related conventions to facilitate implementation of the Convention at the national level;
18.Encourages Parties that have not already done so to appoint focal points for the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice;

III.Other matters

19.Requests the Executive Secretary to maintain a list of requests for information, reports, views and compilations proposed during meetings of ad hoc open-ended working groups to allow Parties to have an overview of all requests to the Executive Secretary for further inter-sessional work.
20.[Further requests the Executive Secretary in undertaking the task above to provide information on: cost estimates, time-frames, and duplication with existing activities;]
21.Recognizing that Parties determine the specific responsibilities of their national focal points, notes that the primary function of national focal points is to act as liaisons with the Secretariat on behalf of their Parties and in so doing, they are responsible for:
(a)Receiving and disseminating information related to the Convention;
(b)Ensuring that Parties are represented at meetings under the Convention;
(c)Identifying experts to participate in ad hoc technical expert groups, assessment processes and other processes under the Convention;
(d)Responding to other requests for input by Parties from the Conference of the Parties and the Secretariat;
(e)Collaborating with national focal points in other countries to facilitate implementation of the Convention;
(f)Monitoring, promoting and/or facilitating national implementation of the Convention;
22.Invites Parties and Governments, international and regional financial institutions and development agencies, as well as other donors, to make funds available for strengthening the capacity of national focal points for the Convention so as to make them more effective, for example through regional and sub-regional workshops and the sharing of information and experience;
23.Invites Parties to identify focal points and institutions to facilitate regional and subregional preparation for meetings of the Conference of the Parties and implementation of the Convention at the regional and subregional levels as appropriate;
24.Recalling paragraph 10 of decision VII/33, requests the Executive Secretary, subject to the availability of the necessary budgetary resources and/or voluntary contributions, to make the necessary arrangements for at least one regional preparatory meeting per region prior to each meeting of the Conference of the Parties;
25.Encourages developed country Parties to provide financial resources to the Special Voluntary Trust Fund for Additional Voluntary Contributions to the Core Budget for Approved Activities under the Convention on Biological Diversity (BE Trust Fund) and the Special Voluntary Trust Fund for Facilitating Participation of Parties in the Convention Process (BZ Trust Fund) in a timely manner to facilitate the planning of meetings and the full participation of representatives from developing country Parties and countries with economies in transition;
26.Decides that prior to the development of new principles, guidelines and other tools under the Convention, it will conduct a gap analysis with a view to:
(a)Identifying existing, useful tools which it might endorse or welcome;
(b)Identifying existing, useful tools, and tools under development that it might try to influence, such that they adequately reflect biodiversity considerations;
(c)Identifying the need for new tools developed under the Convention;
27.Noting that the Conference of the Parties has frequently invited other institutions and organizations to make use of the principles, guidelines and other tools developed under the Convention, requests the Executive Secretary to identify ways and means to more actively promote the use of such tools by international organizations and institutions.

Annex I

DRAFT OPERATIONAL PLAN OF THE SUBSIDIARY BODY ON SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE

A.Purpose of the Operational Plan

1.The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) was established by the Convention, with its terms of reference set out in Article 25, paragraph 2. The present Operational Plan elaborates that role, reflecting the evolving nature of the work of SBSTTA, as the Convention moves to an implementation phase.
2.The plan is intended to guide the work of SBSTTA. It is designed to support implementation of the Strategic Plan of the Convention, in particular the 2010 biodiversity target (decision VI/26) and other targets agreed upon in its other decisions; the multi-year programme of work of the Conference of the Parties up to 2010 (decision VI/31); and other global goals such as the Millennium Development Goals and the goals in the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development.

B.Mission

3.To provide the Conference of the Parties and, as appropriate, its other subsidiary bodies with timely advice relating to the implementation of this Convention, in particular with regard to achieving the mission and goals of the Convention's Strategic Plan (Article 25, paragraph 1).

C.Outcomes

4.Scientific and technical assessments of status and trends in, and threats to, components of biological diversity (Article 25, paragraph 2 (a)) in accordance with the multi-year programme of work of the Conference of the Parties up to 2010 (decision VI/31) and other biodiversity-related aspects as identified in the Strategic Plan of the Convention (decision VI/26) and framework for assessing progress towards the 2010 target (decision VII/30);
5.Scientific and technical assessments of the effects of types of measures taken in accordance with the provisions of this Convention (Article 25, paragraph 2 (b));
6.Identification of innovative, efficient and state-of-the-art technologies and know-how relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and advice on the ways and means of promoting development and/or transferring such technologies (Article 25, paragraph 2 (c));
7.Identification of new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
8.Identification of opportunities for collaboration with, and engagement of, relevant scientific programmes and undertakings of international cooperation in research and development related to conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity (Article 25, paragraph 2 (d)); and
9.Responses to scientific, technical, technological and methodological questions that the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies put to SBSTTA (Article 25, paragraph 2 (e)).

D.Strategic ways and means for achieving the outcomes

10.Improving the scientific, technical and technological inputs into SBSTTA documents by, inter alia:
(a)Undertaking scientific and technical assessments according to the process for assessments initiated by SBSTTA outlined in the appendix hereto;
(b)Establishment of work plans, time tables and resource requirements, early identification of collaborators and contributors, and transparent processes for contributions, comments and feedback at various stages of document preparation; and
(c)Systematic use of peer-review and other consultative processes that involve the scientific community.
11.Improving the scientific, technical and technological debates during meetings of the Subsidiary Body by, inter alia:
(a)Identification of opportunities to prepare delegates, particularly those with limited experience, for the discussions on scientific and technical matters; and
(b)Increasing the scientific, technical and technological activities within, and inputs into, the meetings, through key note speakers, posters, round table debates, side events and the provision of scientific publications, technical series documents and other relevant scientific, technical and technological inputs focusing on the main agenda items and the strategic issues identified by the Conference of the Parties for evaluating progress towards, and promoting achievement of, the 2010 biodiversity target.
12.Actively building relationships with the scientific and technical community, by, inter alia:
(a)Providing material about the work of SBSTTA that is accessible to the scientific and technical community (i.e. expresses it in language that is understandable by the scientific and technical community, and relates the material to the work of the scientific and technical community);
(b)Actively disseminating the results of the work of SBSTTA through scientific literature, both as reporting items and as scientific papers, as reviewed and approved by the Conference of the Parties;
(c)Participating in, and contributing to, the scientific and technical components of other biodiversity-related processes and initiatives, including the Joint Liaison Group and Biodiversity Liaison Group; and
(d)Using other bodies as a bridge between SBSTTA and the scientific and technical community in relation to work programmes (e.g. international thematic focal points and key partners).

Appendix

STEPS FOR THE CONDUCT OF ASSESSMENTS INITIATED BY SBSTTA

Assessment steps Modalities/Activities
Recognition of assessment need/mandate (i)Mandate is usually given by the Conference of the Parties;
(ii)Needs are identified through:
  • The review of programme of work, e.g., for forest biodiversity, and biodiversity and climate change;
  • After an initial assessment, e.g., for invasive alien species;
  • During implementation of programmes of work (e.g., rapid assessment methods).
Preparation of background document or Note by the Executive Secretary Background documents or detailed outlines drafted by the Executive Secretary with or without assistance from:
(i)Consultant/collaborating organization; and/or
(ii)Expert meeting.
Consideration by an AHTEG 1 established by the Conference of the Parties, SBSTTA or by an expert group (i)Review of background document or Note by the Executive Secretary;
(ii)Identification of gaps;
(iii)Revision of background document taking into account additional published information.
Peer-review Peer-review, if applicable, by:
(i)Selected reviewers;
(ii)Wider peer-review involving Parties, other Governments, SBSTTA focal points, experts from the roster of experts of the Convention on Biological Diversity, organizations and indigenous and local communities; other conventions and their focal points.
Consideration by SBSTTA (i)Conclusions on assessment;
(ii)Recommendation to the Conference of the Parties.
Use and application of results (including consideration by the Conference of the Parties) and identification of gaps to be addressed in future (i)Utilization of the revised document to develop elements and activities for the relevant programmes of work, and follow-up activities;
(ii)Decision by the Conference of the Parties;
(iii)Publication of assessment reports in the CBD Technical Series;
(iv)Use in other publications, e.g. Millennium Assessment report;
(v)Use by Governments and others;
(vi)Identification of additional information needs, including the needs for new assessments.

Annex II

GUIDANCE FOR PRIORITY-SETTING TO GUIDE THE ALLOCATION OF FINANCIAL RESOURCES BY THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES

1.All draft decisions are accompanied by an assessment of their cost implications and a summary of those decisions and costs is included in the documentation on the budget and programme for the next biennium. Cost assessments are based on notional costs according to the list maintained by the Executive Secretary, and reflect the major costs associated with the decision, such as the establishment of open-ended meetings, technical expert groups, liaison groups and partnerships, as well as an overall estimate of other costs, such as staff time.
2.The Executive Secretary prepares a stand-alone summary of these costs indicating costings for each proposed activity and updates it on daily basis.
3.Early in its discussions, the budget group estimates the cost of proposed activities, as well as the funds that are likely to be available to support those activities, taking into account administrative costs for the Secretariat, the Conference of the Parties and the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice. Simultaneously, working groups negotiate proposals and refine cost assessments accordingly.
4.Mid-meeting, the budget group presents its findings to the plenary of the Conference of the Parties. All proposals that have major financial implications, such as those establishing open-ended meetings, are considered and priorities for the allocation of resources are developed.
5.The budget group continues negotiations based on revised cost assessments and working groups proceed bearing in mind the identified priorities.
6.The plenary of the Conference of the Parties makes the final decision on core budget allocations in its consideration of budget papers and endorsement of draft decisions with a budgetary component.

Annex III

PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF DECISIONS AND CONSIDERATION OF STRATEGIC ISSUES THAT SUPPORT IMPLEMENTATION IN LINE WITH THE MULTI-YEAR PROGRAMME OF WORK OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES UP TO 2010

Explanatory note: Column 2 is reproduced directly from the multi-year programme of work of the Conference of the Parties up to 2010 (decision VII/31, annex) and is included for information only; column 3 specifies: (1) the focus of the review of progress in the implementation of the Strategic Plan; and (2) the mechanisms for implementation to be reviewed at each meeting of the Conference of the Parties; and column 4 proposes a schedule for the consolidation of decisions that is aligned, as far as possible, with columns 2 and 3 and will be completed by the Conference of the Parties at its tenth meeting as per paragraph 2 of decision VII/33.
1. Meeting 2. Issues for in-depth review or consideration 3. Strategic issues for evaluating progress or supporting implementation 4. Issues for which decisions will be consolidated
COP 8
  1. Dry and sub-humid lands biodiversity
  2. Global Taxonomy Initiative
  3. Access and benefit-sharing
  4. Education and public awareness
  5. Article 8(j) and related provisions
  6. Island biodiversity
  1. Progress in the implementation of the Strategic Plan and follow-up on progress towards the 2010 target and relevant Millennium Development Goals: review of the second Global Biodiversity Outlook; consideration of findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
  2. National reports; cooperation; stakeholder engagement; operations of the Convention
  1. Forest biodiversity 2
  2. Access and benefit-sharing 2
  3. Guidance to the financial mechanism 2
  4. Dry and sub-humid lands biodiversity 3
  5. Article 8(j) 3
  6. Global Taxonomy Initiative 3
  7. Education and public awareness 3
  8. National reports 5
  9. Cooperation 5
  10. Operations of the Convention 5
COP 9
  1. Agricultural biodiversity
  2. Global Strategy for Plant Conservation
  3. Invasive alien species
  4. Forest biodiversity
  5. Incentive measures
  6. Ecosystem approach
  1. Progress in the implementation of the Strategic Plan and follow-up on progress towards the 2010 target and relevant Millennium Development Goals: review of national biodiversity strategies and action plans
  2. Financial resources and the financial mechanism; Identification and monitoring
  1. Agricultural biodiversity 3
  2. Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 3
  3. Invasive alien species 3
  4. Incentive measures 3
  5. Ecosystem approach 3
  6. Island biodiversity 4
  7. National biodiversity strategies and action plans 5
  8. Financial mechanism and additional financial resources 5
  9. Identification and monitoring 5
COP 10
  1. Inland waters biodiversity
  2. Marine and coastal biodiversity
  3. Sustainable use
  4. Protected areas
  5. Mountain biodiversity
  6. Climate change
  1. Progress in the implementation of the Strategic Plan and follow-up on progress towards the 2010 target and relevant Millennium Development Goals: review of the fourth national reports and the third Global Biodiversity Outlook; revision of the Strategic Plan and framework of goals and targets
  2. Clearing-house mechanism; technology transfer; capacity-building
  1. Inland waters biodiversity 3
  2. Marine and coastal biodiversity 3
  3. Sustainable use 3
  4. Protected areas 3
  5. Mountain biodiversity3
  6. Biodiversity and climate change 3
  7. Biodiversity and tourism 4
  8. Strategic Plan and the 2010 framework 5
  9. Clearing-house mechanism 5
  10. Technology transfer 5
  11. Capacity building 5
1/11/3
1The cost of a meeting of experts (including 12 experts from developing countries and countries with economies in transition) varies between US$ 40,000 and US$ 60,000 depending on the venue and participation of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity when meetings are held outside of Montreal.
2Consolidation of decisions already requested for the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (decision VII/33)
3Consolidation coincides with in-depth reviews of thematic programmes of work and cross-cutting issues.
4Other issues.
5Consolidation coincides with the review of strategic issues for evaluating progess and supporting implementation.