. Biological diversity of inland water ecosystems
Biological diversity of inland water ecosystems
The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice,
Recalling that in its decision III/21, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity recognized the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands as the lead implementing partner on wetlands for the Convention on Biological Diversity,
Bearing in mind the joint work plan between the two conventions,
Having taken note of the relevant outcomes of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention, the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on the Review of Implementation of the Programme of Work on Forest Biodiversity, the relevant outcomes of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention, and other relevant ongoing initiatives, and the potential role of the Issue-Based Modules for Coherent Implementation of Biodiversity-related Conventions, developed by the United Nations Environment Programme,
Recalling that, in its decision VII/4, paragraphs 2 and 3, the Conference of the Parties requested, inter alia, the development of a proposal on streamlining and improving the effectiveness of national reporting on inland water ecosystems,
1. Welcomes with appreciation the work of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel of the Ramsar Convention on the development of revised and additional criteria for Ramsar site identification and designation and the further elaboration of the Strategic Framework providing guidelines for site identification and designation, and extends its gratitude to the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention for the opportunity for the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to contribute to this process;
2. Notes with appreciation the progress at the ninth meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention regarding the development of revised and additional criteria for Ramsar site identification and designation and the further elaboration of the Strategic Framework, and the ongoing work of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel on this subject;
3. Requests the Executive Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention, to provide a synthesis of progress in relation to decision VII/4, paragraphs 29 and 30, of the Convention on Biological Diversity to be considered by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at a meeting prior to the ninth Conference of the Parties;
4. Notes with appreciation the information provided by the Executive Secretary on the status of matters identified in paragraphs14(c) of decision VII/4 (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/12/Add.1);
5. Requests the Executive Secretary to invite the Ramsar Convention to take the lead in developing a draft joint reporting framework on the biological diversity of inland water ecosystems, taking into consideration the needs of both conventions, including their respective needs for reporting on other matters, and, as appropriate, drawing upon the Issue-Based Modules for Coherent Implementation of Biodiversity-related Conventions;
6. Requests the Executive Secretary to invite the Ramsar Convention, subject to resources, to take the lead in reviewing the processes and categories of activities that have or are likely to have significant adverse impacts on the conservation and sustainable use of inland water biological diversity identified by, among others, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, including in its synthesis report on wetlands and water, and the Global Biodiversity Outlook, as well as the extent to which the activities in the programmes of work of the Convention address the major threats to the biological diversity of inland water ecosystems, and to inform Parties about the outcome of the review;
7. Recommends that the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity at its eighth meeting:
(a) Invite Parties, other Governments and relevant international organizations to promote the recognition and implementation of the programme of work on the biological diversity of inland water ecosystems by relevant stakeholders, using the information to be provided, inter alia, by the aforementioned process;
(b) Invite Parties, other Governments and international organizations, on a voluntary basis and in accordance with identified needs, to contribute financial and other resources to assist the work of the Executive Secretary and the Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on these matters; and
(b) Consider further ways and means for developing a strategic approach, relevant to all programmes of work, to assess and monitor threats and to identify key stakeholders and promote, where appropriate, their full involvement in reducing threats.
[4]/ Some delegations stated that these issues should not be considered within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity.