XII/8. Process to elaborate the procedure for the identification and consideration of emerging issues
1. The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) recalled that SBSTTA was established, inter alia, to provide the Conference of the Parties and, as appropriate, its other subsidiary bodies with timely advice relating to the implementation of the Convention. In accordance with the consolidated modus operandi annexed to decision VIII/10, its specific functions include the identification of new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
2. At its twelfth meeting, SBSTTA recognized the need to further clarify the procedure for the identification of emerging issues, the conditions for their inclusion in the agenda of relevant meetings, and the appropriate ways and means to respond to new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It further recognized that it is not necessary to consider an emerging issue at each meeting.
3. The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice recommends that the Executive Secretary:
(a) Seeks, through established channels, the views of Parties on the suggested elements of the procedure for the identification of emerging issues, the conditions for their inclusion in the agenda of relevant meetings, and appropriate ways to respond to new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as contained in the annex to this recommendation;
(b) Prepares, in consultation with the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, a document that incorporates the views received from Parties; and
(c) Presents to the Subsidiary Body at its thirteenth meeting options for the identification of emerging issues, the conditions for their inclusion in the agenda of relevant meetings, and appropriate ways to respond to new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Annex
Suggested procedure for the identification of emerging issues, the conditions for their inclusion in the agenda of relevant meetings, and the mandate to respond to new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
1. Before meetings of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice:
(a) The Executive Secretary will, in consultation with the members of the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, facilitate a wide consultation with Parties prior to the selection of an emerging issue by the Subsidiary Body and subsequently by the Conference of the Parties;
(b) The Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice will apply the following criteria for the selection among different proposals of an emerging issue:
(to be elaborated on the basis of views from Parties)
(c) The Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice will advise the Executive Secretary on appropriate sources of information to facilitate preparation of documentation for each emerging issue to be considered by the Subsidiary Body, in accordance with the process established in the consolidated modus operandi for the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice contained in annex III to decision VIII/10, including by setting up electronic forums and other appropriate means of consultation;
(d) The Executive Secretary, in consultation with the members of the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, will seek to balance the placement of the emerging issue with the existing agenda of the meeting;
(e) The Executive Secretary, in consultation with the members of the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, will identify no more than one emerging issue for each meeting of the Subsidiary Body.
3. During its meetings, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice will:
(a) Assess the impacts of any emerging issue under consideration on the implementation of the Convention and achievement of its three objectives;
(b) Identify any knowledge gaps on any emerging issue and suggest how to fill those gaps;
(c) Consider the relationship of the issue to the existing work and explore the way to integrate it into the work of the Convention;
(d) Identify immediate actions that the Subsidiary Body can take within its mandate and those actions that require consideration by the Conference of the Parties.
Annex II
Provisional agenda for the thirteenth meeting of the subsidiary body on scientific, technical and technological advice (Rome, February 2008)
1. Opening of the meeting.
2. Election of officers, adoption of the agenda and organization of work.
3. In-depth review of the implementation of the programmes of work on:
3.1. Agricultural biodiversity;
3.2 Forest biodiversity.
4. Scientific and technical issues of relevance to the implementation of the 2010 target:
4.1 Marine and coastal biodiversity: options for preventing and mitigating the impact of some activities to selected seabed habitats, and ecological criteria and biogeographical classification systems for marine areas in need of protection;
4.2 Biological diversity of inland water ecosystems: recent developments on Ramsar site designation criteria, streamlining the work and harmonization of national reporting frameworks between the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Ramsar Convention;
4.3 Invasive alien species: report on consultations regarding international standards;
4.4 Climate change: options for mutually supportive actions addressing climate change within the three Rio conventions;
4.5 New and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity: modus operandi for addressing new and emerging issues.
5. Draft provisional agendas, dates, and venues for the fourteenth and fifteenth meetings of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice.
6. Adoption of the report and closure of the meeting
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