. Further advancement of a Global Taxonomy Initiative

Further advancement of a Global Taxonomy Initiative

The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice,

Recalling decision III/10 of the Conference of the Parties, supporting a Global Taxonomy Initiative to overcome the taxonomic impediment which had been highlighted in recommendation II/2 of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice,

Recalling also decision IV/1 D, in which the Conference of the Parties further reiterated its endorsement of a Global Taxonomy Initiative and provided suggestions for action contained in an annex to that decision,

Recalling also paragraph 2 of decision IV/13 of the Conference of the Parties, which provides advice to the Global Environment Facility regarding the provision of financial resources in support of that decision,

Noting that, in paragraph 3 of decision IV/1 D, the Conference of the Parties requested the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to examine the suggestions for action to develop and implement a Global Taxonomy Initiative contained in the annex to decision IV/1 D, and provide advice to the Conference of the Parties on the further advancement of a Global Taxonomy Initiative,

Having examined the note by the Executive Secretary (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/4/6) and related documents submitted by DIVERSITAS (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/4/Inf.1; UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/4/Inf.6 and UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/4/Inf.7),

Recognizing the need for a cohesive global strategy for capacity-building in taxonomy, which requires action at national, subregional, regional and global levels,

Noting the invitation extended by the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Environment Programme to assist in the global implementation of a Global Taxonomy Initiative, on the basis of the offer made by the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme in his address to the Conference of the Parties at its fourth meeting, as reflected in paragraph 5 of decision IV/1 D,

Noting also the decision of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development to support the establishment of a Global Biodiversity Information Facility which, in close collaboration with the clearing-house mechanism of the Convention and other biological-diversity information networks, will facilitate the sharing of information on biological diversity,

1. Recognizes that development and implementation of a Global Taxonomy Initiative will occur through activities which amplify and operationalize the suggestions for action contained in the annex to decision IV/1 D at the national, subregional, regional and global levels;

2. Recommends to the Conference of the Parties:

(a) That the Executive Secretary develop further a Global Taxonomy Initiative in collaboration with relevant organizations, institutions, the United Nations Environment Programme and other relevant United Nations agencies, using the clearing-house mechanism of the Convention to facilitate exchange and dissemination of information;

(b) That the Executive Secretary undertake the preliminary activities required to build the most effective and flexible framework for implementing a Global Taxonomy Initiative, including the convening of regional meetings of experts to identify priorities, opportunities and constraints, building on the experiences of existing relevant initiatives. Initial priorities should include: capacity-building (in particular training), the development of taxonomy-related products, and dissemination of and access to taxonomy information and collections;

(c) That funding institutions, including the Global Environment Facility, recognize the cross-cutting nature of taxonomy which underpins the ecosystem approach and the thematic approach taken by the Convention, and facilitate partnerships between developing and developed countries;

3. Requests the Executive Secretary to identify options for a coordination structure for a Global Taxonomy Initiative and options for global, regional, subregional and national baseline initiatives in support of the implementation of the established programmes of work of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and to report thereon to the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at its fifth meeting;

4. Undertakes to integrate the development and implementation of a Global Taxonomy Initiative in the ongoing thematic and cross-cutting work programmes of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and to advise periodically the Conference of the Parties on further measures required to advance capacity-building for taxonomy.