Issues for In-Depth Consideration
Agricultural biodiversity
43. At its fifth meeting, the Conference of Parties endorsed the programme of work on agricultural biodiversity in 2000 (
decision V/5, annex) as a contribution to the implementation of
decision III/11 on the conservation and sustainable use of agricultural biodiversity. In addition, the Conference of Parties has decided to establish three international initiatives:
- International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Pollinators (decision V/5, section II) and its associated Plan of Action (decision VI/5, annex II);
- International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Soil Biodiversity (decision VI/5, paragraph 13) and its framework for action (decision VIII/23 B); and
- A cross-cutting initiative on biodiversity for food and nutrition (decision VII/32, paragraph 7, and decision VIII/23 A, annex).
44. At its eighth meeting, in
decision VIII/23, the Conference of the Parties decided that the process of the in-depth review of the work programme, to take place at its ninth meeting, shall take into account the guidelines for the review of programmes of work (
decision VIII/15, annex III). The Conference of the Parties also requested the Executive Secretary, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in consultation with other relevant international organizations, to prepare the full review of the programme of work on agricultural biodiversity for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its ninth meeting. The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) will consider the review of the work programme at its thirteenth meeting, in February 2008.
45. In its
recommendation XII/7 (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/2), SBSTTA requested the Executive Secretary to compile additional relevant information on the impacts on biodiversity along the full life cycle of the production and use of biofuels, to identify options for consideration of this emerging issue in the programmes of work of the Convention, including the programme of work on agricultural biodiversity and the expanded programme of work on forest biodiversity, and to synthesize and submit this information for consideration at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. In accordance with this request, the Conference of the Parties will have before it a note by the Executive Secretary on the impact of biofuels on biodiversity (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/26).
46. In addition, the representative of Switzerland will be invited to present a report on the first International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, held in Interlaken, Switzerland, from 3 to 7 September 2007.
47. Under this item, the Conference of the Parties is invited to consider the relevant recommendation of SBSTTA at its thirteenth meeting (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/3) and the note by the Executive Secretary on biofuels (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/26). The recommendations in the in-depth review of the agricultural biodiversity programme of work include piloting the guidance on the integration of climate-change-impact and response activities as considered under agenda item 4.5, on biodiversity and climate change.
Global Strategy for Plant Conservation
48. In
decision VII/31, on its multi-year programme of work up to 2010, the Conference of the Parties decided that the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) should be an issue for in-depth consideration at its ninth meeting. In preparation, at its twelfth meeting, SBSTTA carried out a review of the GSPC and adopted
recommendation XII/2. In paragraph 3 of that recommendation, SBSTTA requested the Executive Secretary to develop by the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, in collaboration with the Global Partnership for Plant Conservation, the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and relevant organizations, and taking into account contributions from Parties, other Governments and relevant stakeholders, a “Plant Conservation Report” that could provide inputs to the third edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook and serve as a communication and awareness-raising tool on the implementation of the Strategy. It is expected that the Plant Conservation Report will be available at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
49. Under this item, the Conference of the Parties is expected to review the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation in light of SBSTTA
recommendation XII/2 (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/2).
Invasive Alien Species
50. In
decision VIII/27, the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary to prepare an in-depth review of ongoing work on invasive alien species for consideration by the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties and to consult with relevant international bodies and instruments on whether and how to address the lack of international standards covering invasive alien species, in particular animals, that are not pests of plants under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and to report on the results of these consultations for consideration by SBSTTA at its thirteenth meeting and by the Conference of the Parties at its ninth meeting.
51. The Conference of the Parties may wish to consider the proposals in note by the Executive Secretary (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/11) on the in-depth review of ongoing work, as well as the relevant recommendation of SBSTTA at its thirteenth meeting (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/3) on the outcomes of the consultation on the lack of international standards covering invasive alien species that are not pests under the IPPC.
Forest Biodiversity
52. In
decision VI/22, the Conference of the Parties adopted the expanded programme of work on forest biological diversity. The refined multi-year programme of work of the Conference of the Parties up to 2010, adopted by
decisions VII/31 and
VIII/10, provides for an in-depth review of the expanded programme of work on forest biological diversity at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties.
53. An Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) on Review of the Implementation of the Programme of Work on Forest Biological Diversity was established through
decision VI/22. The AHTEG has met four times since its establishment: in November 2003, March 2005, July 2005, and May 2007. The Executive Secretary, with support from the AHTEG, and following guidance provided in
decision VIII/19, compiled a note on the in-depth review of the expanded programme of work on forest biological diversity and submitted it to SBSTTA at its thirteenth session (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/13/3). The final report from the fourth meeting of the AHTEG was incorporated into the background document for the in-depth review (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/13/INF/5).
54. To facilitate consideration of this item, the Secretariat has made available two information notes on the potential environmental, cultural, and socio-economic impacts of genetically modified trees on the conservation and sustainable use of forest biological diversity (UNEP/COP/9/INF/27 and 28).
55. The request of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to the Executive Secretary in its
recommendation XII/7 (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/2) to the Executive Secretary with regard to the identification of options for consideration of the emerging issue of biofuels in the programmes of work of the Convention, including the programme of work on agricultural biodiversity and the expanded programme of work on forest biodiversity, is addressed under item 3.1 (Agricultural biodiversity).
56. Under this item, the Conference of the Parties is invited to consider the relevant recommendation of SBSTTA at its thirteenth meeting (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/3).
Incentive Measures
57. In
decision VIII/26, the Conference of the Parties decided to initiate a structured, transparent and inclusive preparatory process for the in-depth review of work on the incentive measures. To this end, the Conference of the Parties invited Parties, other Governments, international organizations and stakeholders to communicate to the Executive Secretary their experiences in the implementation of the programme of work on incentive measures contained in
decisions V/15,
VI/15 and
VII/18, and to provide their views on, inter alia, lessons learned and key challenges in implementing the existing programme of work, options to address the challenges identified, and priorities for a future programme of work.
58. Under this item, the Conference of the Parties will have before it a note by the Executive Secretary (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/12), which provides a summary of the experiences and views submitted to the Executive Secretary, including a summary of options provided. The full compilation of submissions is available as an information document (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/INF/8). The Conference of the Parties will also have before it an updated synthesis report of information on incentive measures provided by Parties in the third national reports (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/12/Add.1). As requested by the Conference of the Parties in paragraph 10 (d) of
decision VIII/25, on the application of tools for the valuation of biodiversity and biodiversity resources and functions, terms of reference for a study on how monitoring can support the implementation of valuation tools and positive incentive measures will be before the meeting as an information document (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/INF/9).
59. The Conference of the Parties may wish to consider the further outcomes that would be required from a revised programme of work to meet obligations under the Convention and the requirements of Parties, as well as possible options for a future programme of work.
Ecosystem Approach
60. In
decision VII/11, the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary to assess the application of the ecosystem approach, in the light of experiences gained, for the consideration of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) prior to the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. In annex II to
decision VIII/10, the Conference of the Parties decided to undertake the in-depth review of the application of the ecosystem approach at its ninth meeting. The application of the ecosystem approach was considered by SBSTTA at its twelfth meeting.
61. The Conference of the Parties is invited to consider SBSTTA
recommendation XII/1, on the application of the ecosystem approach, annexed to the report of its twelfth meeting (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/2).
Progress in the Implementation of the Strategic Plan and Progress towards the 2010 Target and Relevant Millennium Development Goals
Review of implementation of goals 2 and 3 of the Strategic Plan
62. In
decision VIII/8, the Conference of the Parties decided to conduct an in-depth review of the implementation of goals 2 and 3 of the Strategic Plan and requested the Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention to prepare for the in-depth review of the implementation of goals 2 and 3 of the Strategic Plan by the Conference of the Parties, focusing in particular on: (i) the provision of financial resources, capacity-building, access to and transfer of technology and technology cooperation; and (ii) the status of national biodiversity strategies and action plans, their implementation and updating, and the extent to which biodiversity concerns are effectively integrated into relevant sectors and have been effectively mainstreamed in accordance with Article 6 (b) of the Convention.
63. The annex to
recommendation 2/1 (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/4) of the second meeting of the Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention contains a draft decision for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties, which notes the status of implementation of goals 2 and 3 of the Strategic Plan and includes consolidated guidance for Parties in developing, implementing and revising their national and, where appropriate, regional, biodiversity strategies and action plans, and equivalent instruments, as well as consolidated guidance on priority areas for capacity-building and access to and transfer of technology.
64. The Conference of the Parties is invited to consider the draft decision prepared by the Working Group and to take note of the relevant information contained in the note by the Executive Secretary on the subject (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/14), which contains a report on the state of progress in achieving the goals of the Strategic Plan and progress towards the achievement of the 2010 biodiversity target.
Revision of the Strategic Plan beyond 2010
65. In
decision VIII/15, paragraph 2, the Conference of the Parties decided to consider at its ninth meeting the process for revising and updating the Strategic Plan with a view to adopting a revised Strategic Plan at its tenth meeting. In its
recommendation 2/1, the Working Group on the Review of Implementation requested the Executive Secretary to invite Parties to submit views on the revision of the Strategic Plan beyond 2010, and to prepare a report for the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, taking into account also the views expressed by Parties at the second meeting of the Working Group. This report is contained in document UNEP/CBD/COP/9/14/Add.1.
66. Under this item, the Conference of the Parties is invited to consider the proposals by the Executive Secretary (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/14/Add.1) concerning the process for revising and updating the Strategic Plan.
Preparation of the third edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook
67. At
decision VIII/14, paragraph 18 (a), the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary develop proposals on the scope and format of the third edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-3) and the organization of preparatory work. In
recommendation 2/4, the Working Group on the Review of Implementation requested the Executive Secretary to revise the proposed scope and format, work plan, communication strategy and financial plan for the development of GBO-3, taking into account views expressed at its second meeting including those summarized in the annex to the recommendation, as well as comments provided by national focal points, the Informal Advisory Committee for Communication, Education and Public Awareness and other relevant organizations and specialists. The revised plan is contained in a note by the Executive Secretary on the subject (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/15).
68. The Conference of the Parties is invited to take note of the proposals for the development of the third edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/15).
Financial Resources and the Financial Mechanism
In-depth review of the availability of financial resources, including through the financial mechanism
69. In
decision VIII/13, the Conference of the Parties decided to conduct, at its ninth meeting, an in-depth review of the availability of financial resources, including through the financial mechanism.In paragraph 5 of the same decision, the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary and invited the Organisation for Economic Co operation and Development (OECD) to further collaborate on data collection and to provide regular reports on the status and trends of biodiversity finance to the Conference of the Parties.
70. The Conference of the Parties is invited to consider a note by the Executive Secretary (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/16) on the in-depth review of the availability of financial resources. This is supported by an information document (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/INF/5) on status and trends of biodiversity finance, based on the information generated from the biodiversity-related aid statistics of the OECD. The terms of reference for the mid-term review of the GEF Resource Allocation Framework are provided as an information document (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/INF/17).
Draft strategy for resource mobilization to support implementation of the Convention
71. In
decision VIII/13, paragraph 4, the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary, in consultation with Parties, Governments and relevant partners, to explore all options for resource mobilization including innovative financial mechanisms and to develop a draft strategy for resource mobilization, taking into account the elements of the in-depth review, and to present a report on these options and the draft strategy to its ninth meeting through the Ad Hoc Open Ended Working Group on Review of Implementation.
72. In its
recommendation 2/2, the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation recommended the adoption of a strategy for resource mobilization to support implementation, and requested the Executive Secretary in preparation for the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to (a) Seek views and further suggestions from Parties, other Governments, regional economic integration groups, partner organizations, donors and observers on a strategy for resource mobilization, and compile the information received;(b) Undertake informal consultations on the development of the strategy for resource mobilization in conjunction with the Convention’s inter-sessional meetings;(c) Submit a draft strategy for consideration of the Conference of the Parties at its ninth meeting.
73. Following these consultations, the Executive Secretary prepared the draft strategy for resource mobilization (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/16/Add.1). A submission from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Secretariat is also available in UNEPCBD/COP/9/INF/14 and a menu of options and flexible framework of activities and initiatives for the Parties and relevant organizations, compiled from national biodiversity strategies and action plans and related sources, is available in UNEP/CBD/COP/9/INF/19. The Conference of the Parties is invited to consider the draft strategy as well as recommendation 2/2 of the Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/4).
Message on biodiversity and financing for development to the International Conference on Financing for Development
74. In its
recommendation 2/2, the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation highlighted the need for a full integration of biodiversity financing at the International Conference on Financing for Development, in Doha in the second half of 2008, and recommended that the Conference of the Parties mandate its President to transmit a message on biodiversity and financing for development to the International Conference on Financing for Development.
75. The Working Group requested the Executive Secretary to undertake informal consultations to prepare a draft message for the consideration of the Conference of the Parties. Following consultations, the Executive Secretary prepared the draft message (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/16/Add.2), which will be before the Conference of the Parties for its consideration.
76. The Conference of the Parties is invited to consider the draft message, and adopt a decision based on
recommendation 2/2 of the Working Group on Review of Implementation (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/4).
Review of the effectiveness of the financial mechanism
77. In
decision VIII/13, paragraph 11, the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary to make the necessary arrangements for an evaluation of the effectiveness of the financial mechanism to be conducted in time for its ninth meeting. The evaluation was to be carried out according to the guidelines contained in the annex to decision VII/22 with the following adjustments:
- The review will cover all the activities of the financial mechanism for the period from July 2001-June 2007;
- The review should take account of any relevant sources of new information to those identified in paragraph 3 of the annex to decision VII/22;
- The criteria for effectiveness should also include actions taken in response to decision VII/20.
78. In response, the Executive Secretary contracted an experienced independent evaluator through an open and transparent international bidding process. In accordance with decision VII/22, the Executive Secretary has also prepared, in consultation with the Global Environment Facility, a draft decision on the third review of the financial mechanism, which is provided in the note by the Executive Secretary on the subject (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/17). The report of the independent evaluator is available in UNEP/CBD/COP/9/INF/20.
79. The Conference of the Parties is invited to take a decision on the effectiveness of the financial mechanism based on the above-mentioned reports, as well as on the arrangements for the fourth review of the effectiveness of the financial mechanism.
