WGRI 2

Implementing the Convention: Outcome of and follow up to WGRI-2

This page summarizes the outcomes of the second meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on the Review of Implementation of the Convention, highlighting actions taken by the Secretariat in follow-up to the meeting and invitations to Parties for inputs to the follow-up processes.

Review of implementation of Goals 2 and 3 of the Strategic Plan

At its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties decided to conduct an in-depth review of the implementation of Goals 2 and 3 of the Strategic Plan (Decision VIII/8). In Recommendation WGRI-2/1, the Working Group prepared a draft decision for consideration of COP-9 that takes note of the status of implementation of goals 2 and 3 of the Strategic Plan and includes consolidated guidance for Parties in developing, implementing and revising their national and, where appropriate, regional, biodiversity strategies and action plans, and equivalent instruments (Recommendation WGRI-2/1, para 8, sub-paras) and priority areas for capacity-building, access to and transfer of technology.

The Working Group also highlighted the need for regional and subregional meetings, in line with Decision VIII/8 (6) to discuss national experience in implementing national biodiversity strategies and action plans, and the integration of biodiversity concerns into relevant sectors, including consideration of obstacles and ways and means for overcoming the obstacles.

A new information portal on NBSAPs is being developed.

Revision of the Strategic Plan beyond 2010

At its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties decided to consider at COP-9 the process for revising and updating the Strategic Plan with a view to adopting a revised Strategic Plan at COP-10 (Decision VIII/15, para 2). In Recommendation WGRI-2/1 (para 2), the Working Group requested the Executive Secretary, to invite Parties to submit views on the revision of the Strategic Plan beyond 2010, and to prepare a report for COP-9, taking into account also the views expressed by Parties at WGRI-2.

Accordingly, by Notification 2007-104, Parties have been invited to submit views by 31 October 2007.

Background information is provided in UNEP/CBD/WG-RI/2/INF/6.

Views expressed by Parties in their statements to WGRI-2 are available here. The submission from Portugal and the EC, on behalf of the European Union, is available here.

Preparation of a Strategy for Resource Mobilization in support of CBD Implementation

At its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties decided to conduct an in-depth review of the availability of financial resources at COP-9, and requested the Executive Secretary to prepare a draft strategy for resource mobilization (Decision VIII/13, para 4). In Recommendation WGRI-2/2, the Working Group recommended that COP-9 adopt a strategy for resource mobilization and requested the Executive Secretary to seek views and further suggestions from Parties, other Governments, regional economic integration groups, partner organizations, donors and observers on a strategy for resource mobilization, and compile the information received and to undertake informal consultations on the development of the strategy for resource mobilization in conjunction with the Convention’s inter-sessional meetings. Accordingly, by Notification 2007-088, Parties were invited to submit their views to the Secretariat by no later than 15 September 2007. In addition, by Notification 2007-090, Parties were informed that the first informal consultations will be held at the Secretariat’s offices in Montreal on 13 October 2007, on the margins of the fifth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABSWG-5), and the fifth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions (WG8J-5).

Background information is provided in UNEP/CBD/WG-RI/2/4.

Preparation of a message on biodiversity and financing for development

Also in Recommendation WGRI-2/2 (para 3), the Working Group recommended that COP-9 mandate its President to transmit a message on biodiversity and financing for development to the International Conference on Financing for Development, and requested the Executive Secretary to undertake informal consultations with Parties to prepare a draft of the message for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. Notification 2007-088 also requested Parties to submit their views on the content of this message by no later than 15 September 2007.

Preparation of a four-year (2010-2014) framework for programme priorities related to utilization of GEF resources for biodiversity

At its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary, in consultation with the Parties, to explore opportunities for streamlining the guidance provided to the Global Environment Facility (Decision VIII/18, para 6). Accordingly, the secretariat prepared document UNEP/CBD/WG-RI/2/5 for WGRI-2. In Recommendation WGRI-2/3, the Working Group recommended that COP-9 adopts a four-year (2010-2014) framework for programme priorities related to utilization of GEF resources for biodiversity, coinciding with the fifth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund.

The Working Group further:

  • invited Parties and Governments, relevant organizations and the GEF to submit to the Secretariat of the Convention, by 1 December 2007, their views on elements for the four-year (2010 2014) framework for programme priorities, as well as ways and means to enhance the process of formulating and consolidating guidance to the financial mechanism (see Notification 2007-089).
  • requested the Executive Secretary to prepare, for the consideration of COP-9, elements for the four-year (2010-2014) framework for programme priorities, as well as recommendations to the process of formulating and consolidating guidance, taking into account the views expressed by Parties during WGRI-2, and submissions by Parties, Governments and relevant organizations and national priorities identified in national biodiversity strategies and action plans;
  • requested the Executive Secretary to organize a dialogue session among the Parties, with participation of the Chief Executive Officer of the GEF, in Bonn on 17 May 2008, prior to COP-9, on the four year (2010-2014) framework for programme priorities, as well as the procedures for streamlining guidance to the GEF.

Preparation of the Fourth National Reports

At its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties decided that Parties shall submit their fourth national reports by 30 March 2009 (Decision VIII/14, para 4). In its Recommendations WGRI-2/1 (para 10) and WGRI-2/4 (preamble), the importance of meeting this deadline was emphasized.

Guidelines for the preparation of the Fourth National Reports have been prepared in accordance with Decision VIII/14. A new information portal on National Reports is being developed.

Preparation of the third edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook

At its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary develop proposals on the scope and format of the third edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-3) and the organization of preparatory work (Decision VIII/14, para 18(a)). In Recommendation WGRI-2/4, the Working Group took note of documents UNEP/CBD/WG-RI/2/6 and UNEP/CBD/WG-RI/2/INF/13 and requested the Executive Secretary to revise the proposed scope and format, work plan, communication strategy and financial plan for the development of GBO-3, taking into account views expressed at the second meeting of WGRI-2 including those summarized in the annex to the recommendation, as well as comments provided by national focal points, the Informal Advisory Committee for Communication, Education and Public Awareness and other relevant organizations and specialists (see Notification 2007-103), and to submit a revised proposal for the consideration of COP-9.

The Working Group also recommended that the Conference of the Parties request the Global Environment Facility, urge Parties, and invite other Governments and donors, to make timely financial contributions for the preparation and production of GBO-3.

Review and retirement of the decisions of the Conference of the Parties

At its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties requested WGRI-2 to develop guidance for the future Review and retirement of the decisions of the Conference of the Parties (Decision VIII/10 para 35). In Recommendation WGRI-2/5A, the Working Group prepared a draft decision for COP-9 on this matter.

Admission of bodies and agencies, whether governmental or non-governmental

At its eighth meeting, the Conference of the Parties requested WGRI-2 to consider procedures for Admission of bodies and agencies, whether governmental or non-governmental (Decision VIII/10, para 30). In Recommendation WGRI-2/5A, the Working Group prepared a draft decision for COP-9 containing steps for admitting qualified bodies and agencies, whether Governmental or Non-Governmental, as observers to meetings of the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies.