Retired sections:
Agenda Item 3.12: Coastal and marine biological diversity
The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) wishes
to advise the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity that little
substantial action on the area of marine and coastal biodiversity occurred this year other
than building the roster of experts. The SBSTTA believes that decision II/10 on marine and
coastal biodiversity taken by the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties should
be implemented as quickly and efficiently as possible. At the third meeting of the SBSTTA,
the Secretariat, on the basis of the outcome from the Meeting of Experts mentioned in
decision II/10, should provide an interim report on recommendations for proceeding with
positive action on the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine biodiversity.
Recommendations should be made on the basis of priorities that consider (i) what
resources are or will be available; (ii) which of the five issues (integrated marine and
coastal area management, marine and coastal protected areas, sustainable use of coastal
and marine living resources, mariculture, and alien species) the Convention on Biological
Diversity can have the greatest effect; (iii) which of the five issues other non-Convention on
Biological Diversity entities are adequately addressing the topic or will be; and (iv) where
other planned or ongoing activities outside the Convention process can contribute to
Convention proposed actions.
The Secretariat is urged to take the following actions towards implementing decision II/10:
1. Given the offer from Indonesia to host the first Meeting of Experts on Marine and Coastal
Biological Diversity drawn from the available roster of experts, convene that meeting very
early in 1997, and refer any available information, including document
UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/2/14, which the SBSTTA had before it, and any comments from
Parties, to that meeting for information purposes.
2. Request that the Meeting of Experts assist the Executive Secretary in identifying
priorities for implementing decision II/10, identifying options for a pragmatic but
comprehensive approach in addressing marine and coastal biological diversity, and
identifying products, timetables, and ways and means in line with paragraphs 1(b), 1(c) and
7 of decision II/10. The Meeting of Experts in formulating its recommendations shall have
regard to the views of the roster of experts more widely.
3. Strengthen and develop special partnership arrangements with international
organizations and institutions including regional bodies with particular competence in
specific areas of marine and coastal biological diversity.
The SBSTTA recommends that the Conference of the Parties ensure resources are
available to (a) implement the work of the Secretariat under the Jakarta Mandate and (b) fill
the posts within the Secretariat associated with this mandate as soon as possible. The
SBSTTA should encourage Parties to nominate candidates for the roster of experts.
Agenda Item 3.12: Coastal and marine biological diversity
The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) wishes
to advise the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity that little
substantial action on the area of marine and coastal biodiversity occurred this year other
than building the roster of experts. The SBSTTA believes that decision II/10 on marine and
coastal biodiversity taken by the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties should
be implemented as quickly and efficiently as possible. At the third meeting of the SBSTTA,
the Secretariat, on the basis of the outcome from the Meeting of Experts mentioned in
decision II/10, should provide an interim report on recommendations for proceeding with
positive action on the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine biodiversity.
Recommendations should be made on the basis of priorities that consider (i) what
resources are or will be available; (ii) which of the five issues (integrated marine and
coastal area management, marine and coastal protected areas, sustainable use of coastal
and marine living resources, mariculture, and alien species) the Convention on Biological
Diversity can have the greatest effect; (iii) which of the five issues other non-Convention on
Biological Diversity entities are adequately addressing the topic or will be; and (iv) where
other planned or ongoing activities outside the Convention process can contribute to
Convention proposed actions.
The Secretariat is urged to take the following actions towards implementing decision II/10:
1. Given the offer from Indonesia to host the first Meeting of Experts on Marine and Coastal
Biological Diversity drawn from the available roster of experts, convene that meeting very
early in 1997, and refer any available information, including document
UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/2/14, which the SBSTTA had before it, and any comments from
Parties, to that meeting for information purposes.
2. Request that the Meeting of Experts assist the Executive Secretary in identifying
priorities for implementing decision II/10, identifying options for a pragmatic but
comprehensive approach in addressing marine and coastal biological diversity, and
identifying products, timetables, and ways and means in line with paragraphs 1(b), 1(c) and
7 of decision II/10. The Meeting of Experts in formulating its recommendations shall have
regard to the views of the roster of experts more widely.
3. Strengthen and develop special partnership arrangements with international
organizations and institutions including regional bodies with particular competence in
specific areas of marine and coastal biological diversity.
The SBSTTA recommends that the Conference of the Parties ensure resources are
available to (a) implement the work of the Secretariat under the Jakarta Mandate and (b) fill
the posts within the Secretariat associated with this mandate as soon as possible. The
SBSTTA should encourage Parties to nominate candidates for the roster of experts.
