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COP 7 Decision VII/2

The biological diversity of dry and sub-humid lands

The Conference of the Parties

  1. Adopts the proposed process for the periodic assessment of the status and trends of biological diversity, in dry and sub‑humid lands, as described in table 1 below, taking into account national laws, policies and programmes and recognizing the urgency for action in those countries severely affected by land degradation, focusing on strengthening the capacities of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to conduct assessments at the national level and build on the knowledge and structures of ongoing global assessments, as well as national assessments;

  2. Adopts the proposal prepared by the Executive Secretary for the further refinement of the programme of work and suggesting collaborating partners as indicated in the annex to the present decision;

  3. Requests the Executive Secretary to ensure that the parts of the programme of work relating to other thematic programmes of work of the Convention are taken into account when developing and reviewing these programmes of work;

  4. Requests the Executive Secretary, in consultation with Parties, to develop targets for the implementation of the programme of work, taking into account especially national action programmes to combat desertification, the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, the Global Taxonomy Initiative, the Strategic Plan of the Convention, as well as the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, for consideration by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice.  Such a process could follow the approach taken in the development of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (decision VI/9, annex) and be in line with decision VII/8, on monitoring and indicators;

  5. Requests the Executive Secretary, in collaboration with the secretariats of the other Rio conventions and other biodiversity related conventions, to further develop mechanisms for facilitating the synergistic implementation of these conventions, especially at the national level, as described in sections III and IV of the note by the Executive Secretary on dry and sub-humid lands prepared for the eighth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/8/10).  Such mechanisms could include:

(a)  Joint work programmes at the national level as appropriate;

(b)  The activities of the joint liaison group of the three Rioconventions and potential additional members, and

(c)  Joint activities with a focus on several elements:

    (i)  Integration of activities related to national biodiversity strategies and action plans with national action programmes for the Convention to Combat Desertification, national adaptation programmes of action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Ramsar wetland policies and other relevant programmes, including national strategies for sustainable development and poverty reduction;

    (ii) Capacity-building, information systems, institutional arrangements and joint planning activities between the coordinating bodies and focal points of the conventions;

    (iii)  Development of criteria for synergy projects and development and application of "good practice" synergy projects at the national level;

    (iv)  Sound preparation, formulation of objectives, organization and follow-up of national and regional synergy workshops;

    (v) Training courses and awareness-raising among relevant stakeholders;

    (vi)  Consultation, decision-making and implementation processes with the full participation of relevant stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, non-Governmental organizations and the private sector.

These mechanisms should take into account existing experience, as documented by, inter alia, the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification (CRIC), and the "Operational Guidelines for Expedited Funding of National Self Assessment of Capacity-building Needs" of the Global Environment Facility, and the role and responsibilities of the Global Environment Facility and the Global Mechanism of the Convention to Combat Desertification in promoting synergy;

6. Further requests the Executive Secretary, in collaboration with the other Rio and other biodiversity related conventions, to facilitate at the national level the review of the national biodiversity strategies and action plans under the Convention on Biological Diversity, in order to harmonize them with the national action programmes under the Convention to Combat Desertification and the national adaptation plans of action under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, with a focus on poverty alleviation and intersectoral integration;

7. Recognizes that the effective implementation of this programme of work is subject to the availability of financial, technological and human resources, and urges Parties, other Governments countries, international organizations, and relevant stakeholders that are in a position to do so to develop partnerships and other means to provide the necessary support;

8. Take note of the reports of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the land degradation assessment in drylands project (LADA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on how they address the assessment needs of the programme of work on biological diversity of dry and sub-humid lands, and especially on ways to strengthen national efforts to conduct assessments;

9. Welcomes the joint work programme between the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the Convention on Biological Diversity (UNEP/CBD/COP/7/INF/28) and Parties and relevant stakeholders to contribute to the implementation of its components.

Table 1.  Proposed process for the periodic assessment of status and trends of biological diversity in dry and sub‑humid lands (Phases II-IV will depend on the recommendations made after completion of phase I).

Phase I:  2002‑2004  (COP7)

1. Invite LADA and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment to investigate how the needs of the dry and sub‑humid lands could be integrated into the ongoing assessments, emphasizing proposals and ways to strengthen national efforts to conduct assessments.

2. Develop proposals for mechanisms(s) linking national assessment to regional/global assessment/report processes.

3. Participatory development of draft guidelines for national assessments, including indicators initiated.

Phase II:  2004‑2006 (COP8)

4. Agree to final guidelines for national assessments and adoption for implementation.

5. Implementation mechanism agreed upon and functional.

Phase III:  2006‑2012

6. Data collection, processing and communication according to agreed guidelines and mechanisms.

7. In 2010, Parties report on WSSD biodiversity‑related targets, as appropriate.

8. Global assessment report on status and trends of biological diversity, including information from national assessments.

Phase IV: 10-year periodic assessment reports

9. Periodic ten‑year report based on continuous assessments at national level and up‑scaling.


Annex

SYNTHESIS TABLE OF EXPECTED OUTCOMES AND TIMEFRAMES, POTENTIAL ACTORS, AND INDICATORS OF PROGRESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME OF WORK ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERISTY OF DRY AND SUB-HUMID LANDS

 

Activity

 

Expected outcomes

 

Time-frame

 

Key actors

 

Status

 

Progress indicators

 

Date

 

PART A:  ASSESSMENTS

Activity 1. Assessment of status and trends

-   Comprehensive review and assessment report on status and trends of biological diversity in dry and sub-humid lands

 

2012

FAO, LADA, MA, Parties, SCBD, UNCCD, TPNs, CGIAR agencies

Planned

Preliminary assessment

Draft full assessment

2006

2010

 

Activity 2. Areas of particular value and/or under threat

-   Review and assessment of areas of value/under threat

 

2012

World Heritage Centre, MAB Secretariat, WCPA, IUCN, UNEP-WCMC, Parties

Planned

Draft map and assessment report

2008

 

Activity 3. Indicators

 

-   Indicators for assessment of status and trends fully operational

2012

FAO, LADA, MA, Parties, SCBD.

In progress

Draft set of indicators

2004

 

Activity 4. Knowledge on processes that affect biodiversity

-   Reports and publications on the structure and functioning of dry and sub-humid lands ecosystems, including the potential impact of climate change and poverty on dry and sub-humid lands

Ongoing

Various research and development institutes, including local knowledge systems, Parties

Ongoing

Draft summary publication

AHTEG on biodiversity and climate change

 

2006

2003

 

Activity 5. Benefits derived from biological diversity

-   Compilation of information on local and global benefits

-   Economic valuation of priority specific sites

 

2012

 

 

Various research and development institutes, including local knowledge systems, Parties.

In progress

 

 

AHTEG on dry and sub-humid lands

Draft publication

 

2002

 

2006

 

 

-   Assessment of the socio-economic impact of biodiversity loss and linkage to poverty

2006

 

Parties, various research and development institutes, including local knowledge systems

In progress

AHTEG on dry and sub-humid lands
Draft report

 

2002

2005

 

-   Case-studies on inter-linkages between biodiversity loss and poverty

2006

Parties, collaborating partners including WIPO, SCBD

Planned

Submission of case-studies from Parties

 

2005

 

Activity 6.  Best management practices

-   Case-studies including consideration of traditional knowledge

-   Guidelines for assessment of good practices

-   Case-studies of applied Ecosystem Management Approach

2006

 

2004

 

Parties, collaborating partners including WIPO, SCBD

SCBD, Parties, TWNSO, GEF

Planned

 

Planned

Submission of case-studies from Parties

Draft guidelines

2005

 

2003

 

PART B:  TARGETED ACTIONS

Activity 7.  Measures for conservation and sustainable use

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Protected areas

-   Guidelines on establishment of "adequate and effective protected areas networks"

2008

 

WCPA, Environmental conventions, IUCN, World Heritage, MAB Sec.

In process

 

Protected areas report

2012

-   Additional protected area established

Ongoing

Parties

Ongoing

 

 

(b) Rehabilitation and/or restoration

-   Report and database on appropriate technologies and transfer mechanisms

2002

Ongoing

Norway, SCBD, Parties and various collaborating partner

Ongoing

 

Workshop on transfer of technologies

2003

 


 

-   Evaluation of effectiveness of measures at test sites

 

Parties

 

Proposed

 

Sites established; exchange visits between affected countries

2008

 

-   Measures implemented through NBSAPs and NAPs

 

Parties

Proposed

Explicit rehabilitation  Project implemented worldwide

2008

 

(c) Invasive alien species

-   Increased information and information exchange on invasive alien species

Ongoing

Parties, supported by GISP

In progress

 

Workshops, CHM includes explicit information

2008

-   Guidelines and mechanisms for best management; integration through NBSAPs

2008

Parties, GISP

In progress

Draft guidelines

2006

(d) Production systems

-   Operational guidelines on sustainable use, good farming practices, integrated production system and drought preparedness

2004

Parties, FAO, CGIAR centres, WB, various research institutes

In progress

 

Draft guidelines

 

2003

 

-   Progress report on development of incentives, including "fair and equitable" markets

2004

Parties

 

Proposed

Draft resource paper; 3rd National Reports

2006

 

(e) Water resources

-   Guidelines on management and sustainable use of water resources implemented

 

Parties, Ramsar and other environmental conventions, GIWA, research institutes

Proposed

 

Guidelines drafted

 

2008

 

-   Case-studies on best practices available

 

Parties

Proposed

Submission of case-studies by Parties

2007

(f) In situ and ex situ conservation

-   Guidelines for in situ and ex situ conservation and management needs based on best practices implemented

 

WCPA, IUCN, WWF, CGIAR centres, Parties

 

Proposed

 

Draft guidelines

 

 

2006

 

-   Capacities of zoos and seedbanks and other institutions for ex situ conservation strengthened

 

Parties, regional centres

Proposed

 

Integration into NBSAP and NAP

2008

(g) Economic valuation and adaptive technologies

-   Study on economic valuation of goods and services in areas of specific value for biodiversity

 

Parties, WB, various research and development institutes

Proposed

 

Draft report by AHTEG

 

2002

 

 

-   Guidelines for the use of economic instruments implemented through NBSAP

 

 

Parties, various research and development institutes

Proposed

Draft guidelines

2006

(h) Plant and animal biomass

-   Case studies on best practices

 

Parties, various collaborating partners

Proposed

 

 

 

-   Incorporation of lessons learnt in NBSAPs and NAPs

 

 

Parties

Proposed

 

 

(i) Training, education and public awareness

-   Training programmes nationally and regionally in place

 

Parties, regional centres of excellence, TPN of UNCCD, GM

Proposed

 

Training workshops per year per region

2006

-   Public awareness campaigns on the importance of dry and sub-humid lands biodiversity

 

 

Parties, CBD, UNCCD

Proposed

Year of biodiversity in dry and sub-humid lands

 

(j) Information on sustainable use

 

-   Development of information exchange mechanisms

 

Parties, sub-regional organizations, TPNs

Planned, ongoing

TPNs discuss 2 themes relevant to PoW per year

2008

(k) Promotion of research and development programmes

-   Research priorities established

 

Parties, research and development institutes

Planned, ongoing

Partnerships for collaborative research

 

 

-   Pilot projects developed and implemented on local level

 

 

Parties

Planned, ongoing

Demonstration sites per region per year

2006

(l) Integrated catchment management and endangered species

 

-   Case-studies on (i) integrated catchment management, (ii) migratory species corridors, (iii) conservation of rare and endangered species

 

Parties

Proposed

Case-studies per region documented

2006

(m) Cooperation with relevant conventions

-   Memoranda of Cooperation (MoC) with relevant conventions

 

Various conventions

 

In progress

 

 

-   Joint work programme with relevant conventions

 

Various conventions

In progress

Synergy workshops

Pilot synergy projects

 

Activity 8. Promotion of responsible resource management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Local institutional structures; and indigenous and local techniques

-   Case-studies in place and success stories documented and shared

 

Parties

Proposed

 

Regional level exchange

Visit programmes in place

2006

-   Broad implementation through NBSAPs and NAPs

 

Parties, GM

Proposed

 

 

 

(b) Decentralization of management

-   Case-studies and success stories of community-based management  of resources

-   Case studies on the effect of users' access to land and water resources

 

 

Parties

Proposed

Publication of case-study; exchange visits to sites

2006

(c) Institutions for land tenure and conflict resolution

 

-   Case-studies and success stories of strengthened national organization structures

 

Parties

Proposed

Workshops demonstrating case examples

2008

(d) Transboundary issues

  Guidelines on transboundary collaboration implemented through NBSAPs and NAPs

 

Parties, WCPA, IGOs

 

Proposed

 

Draft guidelines

2008

 

  Increased number of bilateral and subregional collaborative arrangements in place

 

 

Parties

Ongoing

 

 

(e) Policies and instruments

  Mechanisms for collaboration between respective national focal points developed

 

Parties, SCBD, UNCCD, GM

 

In process

 

Synergy workshops held per annum

2004

 

  Case-studies, guidelines for cross-sectoral integration, integration of NBSAPs and NAPs

 

Parties

In process

Presentation of first case-studies (UNCCD CRIC 1)

2002

Activity 9. Support for sustainable livelihoods

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Income diversification

-   Case-studies on income diversification

Parties

Proposed

Initial case-studies reported on

2006

-   Guidelines for income diversification opportunities implemented through NBSAP and NAPs

 

 

Parties

 

Proposed

Draft guidelines

2008

(b) Sustainable harvesting

-   Guidelines on best practices incorporated in NBSAPs, NAPs and other relevant policies

 

 

Parties

Proposed

Draft guidelines

2004

(c) Innovations for local income generation

-   Relevant case-studies made available

 

Parties

Proposed

Workshops and exchange visits

 

2006

(d) Market development

-   Products derived from sustainable use increasingly marketed

 

Parties, WTO

 

Proposed

 

Initial case-studies reported on

2006

-   Conducive market relationships developed

 

 

Parties, WTO

Proposed

 

 

(e) Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits

-   Guidelines produced and integrated in NBSAPs, NAPs and other relevant policies

 

Parties, SCBD

Proposed

Draft guidelines

2006

Indicative list of potential collaborators [2]/ and abbreviations

CBD=Convention on Biological Diversity; CCD=Convention to Combat Desertification; CGIAR=Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research; CIAT=International Centre for Tropical Agriculture; CIFOR=Centre for International Forestry Research; CILSS=Permanent Inter‑State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel; CITES=Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; CMS = Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals; CPF=Collaborative Partnership on Forests; FAO=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; GEF=Global Environment Facility; GISP=Global Invasive Species Project; GIWA=Global International Waters Assessment, GM=Global Mechanisms of the UNCCD, ICARDA=International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas; ICRAF=International Centre for Research in Agroforestry; ICRISAT=International Crops Research Institute for the Semi‑arid Tropics; IFAD=International Fund for Agricultural Development; IGBP=International Geosphere and Biosphere Programme; IITA=International Institute for Tropical Agriculture; ILRI=International Livestock Research Institute; ILTER=International Long‑term Ecological Research Network, IPGRI=International Plant Genetic Resources Institute; IPPC=Integrated Pollution and Prevention Control; IGO=InterGovernmental organization; IUCN=World Conservation Union; IUFRO=International Union of Forestry Research Organizations; LUCC=Land Use and Cover Change Programme (of IGBP); MA=Millennium Ecosystem Assessment; OIE=World Organization for Animal Health; OSS=Observatoire du Sahara et du Sahel; SADC=Southern African Development Community; TPN=Thematic Programme Networks of the CCD; TWNSO=Third World Network of Scientific organizations; UNDP=United Nations Development Programme; UNEP=United Nations Environment Programme; UNEP‑WCMC=World Conservation Monitoring Centre; UNESCO=United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; UNESCO-MAB=Man and Biosphere Project; UNFCCC=United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; UNFF=United Nations Forum on Forests; UNITAR=United Nations Institute for Training and Research; WB=World Bank; WCPA=World Commission on Protected Areas; WHC=World Heritage Centre (UNESCO); WIPO=World Intellectual Property Organization; WMO=World Meteorological Organization; WRI=World Resource Institute; WTO=World Trade Organization; WWF=World Wide Fund for Nature

[2]/ As listed in the report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on the Biodiversity of Dry and Sub-Humid Lands (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/8/INF/2) and updated based on a questionnaire sent out in August 2002.