Achieving the species-related goals and targets in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the strategic objectives of other biodiversity-related conventions requires a broad range of actions, from addressing threats and their underlying drivers to effectively managing protected areas and safeguarding remaining intact habitats, as well as species-specific recovery actions. IUCN and its Members, working with Biodiversity Related Conventions, can bring together the concrete steps and concerted actions needed to achieve all species-related goals and targets. The information and resources on the actions and initiatives provided by these organizations are incorporated into the Global Species Action Plan (GSAP.)  We propose GSAP as a supporting programme of work that brings together the actions and highlights any gaps or further work required to conserve species under the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

The Global Species Action Plan (GSAP) identifies and provides guidance on the actions required under the proposed targets in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework in order to conserve wild species effectively. It will create a forum for promoting projects and initiatives that organizations are already doing. This increases transparency and opportunities for sharing. It can also identify synergies that can lead to reducing the duplication of work or the identification joint initiatives where resources can be shared to achieve a common goal. It is being developed by IUCN together with its Members, partners and the biodiversity-related conventions because they can provide coordination, information and resources for actions and projects underway globally. This creates a more coordinated effort in conservation of species which is critical for the delivery of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals. The GSAP will offer a toolkit of resources to assist governments and other stakeholders in prioritizing, targeting and implementing actions to conserve species through an online knowledge platform. It also outlines the efforts needed to achieve the sustained recovery of native and wild species and their habitats. Therefore, the GSAP will, for the first time, provide a comprehensive programme of work for global species conservation.

This side event will:

• Introduce the Global Species Action Plan and GSAP Online Knowledge Platform, explain how the GSAP can support Parties and other stakeholders to implement the Post-2020 GBF to achieve the needed species outcomes.
• Hear views from CBD Parties on their species conservation actions and how the GSAP can support them to galvanise action at the national level
• Hear from the BRCs on how the GSAP will support Parties to implement the conservation actions needed to also achieve the species conservation aims of these conventions.
• Discuss how NGOs can support countries to accelerate and target action on the ground and mobilise species-related conservation knowledge