There are now 6464 Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) reported to the World Database on OECMs. IUCN was asked by parties to the CBD to provide additional guidance on OECMs and how they can be identified, reported, monitored and strengthened. Through the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas Specialist Group on OECMs and specific projects managed by the IUCN Secretariat, IUCN has been assisting countries with OECMs. 

This side event reports on global progress to date on identifying and reporting OECMs and discusses the questions and challenges that have arisen. The session will launch a revised IUCN Guidance document on OECMs, and discuss the IUCN tool for identifying OECMs, now available in 8 languages. Finally the session with highlight lessons learned form Columbia on identifying and establishing OECMs.

Presentations

1. OECMs and the Global Biodiversity Framework - Dr Madhu Rao, Chair IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas
2. A global analysis of OECMs reported to date – Dr Harry Jonas, WCPA and WWF
3. Guidance and tools to identify OECMs – Dr Stephen Woodley, WCPA
4. IUCN projects to support OECM identification – Dr Jenny Kelleher, IUCN
5. OECMs in Columbia - Clara L. Matallana-Tobón, Consultant Fundación Natura Colombia
6. Launch of the new IUCN Guidance Document on OECMs –  IUCN
7. Moderated Discussion on OECMs