The Conference of the Parties emphasized that the goals and targets adopted in Decision VII/30 (see paragraph 12) should be viewed as a flexible framework within which national and/or regional targets may be developed, according to national priorities and capacities, and taking into account differences in diversity between countries and invited Parties and Governments to develop national and/or regional goals and targets, and, as appropriate, to incorporate them into relevant plans, programmes and initiatives, including national biodiversity strategies and action plans.

The COP also invited Parties and Governments to use existing national indicators or to establish national indicators using the tools and approaches described in the document on Designing national-level monitoring programmes and indicators (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/9/10), which was referred to in decision VII/8.

Further, the COP emphasized the need for capacity-building, especially in developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and the small island developing States among them, and countries with economies in transition, in order to enable them to implement activities to achieve and monitor progress towards the goals and targets and invited Parties, Governments, international and funding organizations to provide adequate and timely support for the implementation of activities to achieve and monitor progress towards the goals and targets to developing country Parties, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States among them, and Parties with economies in transition, as appropriate.

In response to this request, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) supported a project on Biodiversity Indicators in National Use to support, through the development of national-level indicators, planning and decision-making at the national level in four participating countries. The results and guidance generated through this project are summarized in a document titled Indicators for National Use: Experience and Guidance

The COP also requested the Executive Secretary to continue to explore ways to expand active support for developing country Parties, in particular least developed countries and small island developing States among them, and Parties with economies in transition, where appropriate, in the development, revision and implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans. This process should include the commitment and resources of civil society in the development and implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans.

The COP emphasizes that national biodiversity strategies and action plans, as the primary mechanisms for the implementation of the Convention and the Strategic Plan, should be developed or reviewed with due regard to the relevant aspects of the four goals of the Strategic Plan, and the goals established by decision VII/30, to enable greater contribution to the achievement of the 2010 target, consistent with national needs and priorities; and invites Parties to incorporate the goals, as appropriate, into the national biodiversity strategies and action plans when these are revised.

It also invited developed country Parties continue to provide support to developing country Parties, in particular least developed countries and small island developing States among them, and Parties with economies in transition, as appropriate, to develop national-level indicators.

Countdown 2010 is a powerful network of active partners working together towards the 2010 Biodiversity Target. Each partner commits additional efforts to tackle the causes of biodiversity loss. The secretariat – hosted by the World Conservation Union (IUCN) – facilitates and encourages action, promotes the importance of the 2010 Biodiversity Target and assesses progress towards 2010. Through a multitude of activities Countdown 2010 assist Governments worldwide in moving closer to this 2010 Biodiversity Target.