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.
