(From the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat)
17 February 2010 – On 12 February 2010, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) welcomed to Montreal a strong delegation from Conservation International (CI) and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for a full day of discussions to identify priorities for practical collaboration. The meeting follows the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Secretariat and CI, signed on 4 December 2009 by Russell Mittermeier, President of CI, and Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention, at the headquarters of the National Geographic Society in Washington, DC. The MOU recognizes and builds on the substantial contribution made by CI to the work of the Convention, including the implementation of its programme of work on protected areas, and is designed to provide a framework for coordination and strengthened collaboration towards the Convention’s three objectives.
The CI/CEPF delegation comprised Olivier Langrand, Claude Gascon, Yasu Hibi, Conrad Savy, Justin Ward and Lina Barrera of CI and Bobbie Jo Kelso of CEPF. Members of the Secretariat staff were provided an overview of CI and CEPF and their areas of support for CBD implementation. Meetings were held on how CI can apply its on-the-ground activities, scientific capacity and thematic programmes and partnerships to support key events under the Convention during 2010; the LifeWeb initiative; communications relating to the International Year of Biodiversity; and the CBD programmes of work on protected areas (PoWPA), forest biodiversity and island biodiversity (among others).
Among issues agreed, were to work together to effectively share examples of good practice and successes in achieving CBD targets, including through side-events at forthcoming meetings under the Convention. These could include national success stories of economic value of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem based adaptation; examples of conservation achievement brought about by collaboration between government and civil society; and inspiring examples of businesses working towards biodiversity conservation goals.
To support implementation of the programme of work on forest biodiversity, CI will provide technical inputs on how to measure and monitor biodiversity and REDD (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) initiatives. It was agreed to collaborate on the Convention’s business and biodiversity initiative, including at upcoming meetings and events and through encouragement to CI corporate partners from the private sector. And it was also agreed that work will be undertaken to explore synergies between CEPF and the LifeWeb initiative.
Another important basis for support that was identified is to build on CI presence, technical capacity and multi-stakeholder partnerships at country level in 41 countries. Measures identified included CI support to the development of national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs), including through quality data provision and alignment with development planning frameworks; support to the implementation of programme of work on protected areas, including catalysing finance, knowledge-building and country-level implementation; and support to the communication, education and public-awareness goals of the Convention.
Commenting on the partnership, Olivier Langrand of Conservation International, said, “The Convention on Biological Diversity is the most important intergovernmental body dealing with the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity from the genetic to the ecosystem level upon which human well-being depends. Conservation International is committed to supporting the Parties to the Convention and the Secretariat in achieving the goals of the Convention.”
Ahmed Djoghlaf noted, “The partnership with Conservation International is of great strategic importance. It will support the enhanced implementation efforts needed to achieve the objectives of the Convention and to implement the decisions to be adopted in October 2010 at the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention. The Nagoya Biodiversity Compact will include a new Strategic Plan of the Convention for the period 2011-2020, associated with a 2020 biodiversity target and a 2050 vision. I would like to sincerely thank Conservation International for the efforts and investment they are making to support the Secretariat and the 193 Parties to the Convention in our common goal of securing a sustainable future.”
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Background notes
Conservation International (CI)
Building upon a strong foundation of science, partnership and field demonstration, CI empowers societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature for the well-being of humanity. With headquarters in Washington, DC, CI works in more than 40 countries on four continents. For more information about CI, please visit www.conservation.org.
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)
CEPF provides grants for non-governmental and other private organizations to help protect vital ecosystems. CEPF is a joint initiative of l'Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the World Bank. For more information about CEPF, please visit www.cepf.net.