PYEONGCHANG, SOUTH KOREA, Oct. 6, 2014, CNS – Several Caribbean countries are present as Governments meet here to assess progress in implementing a global Strategic Plan for Biodiversity.
Under the theme, "Biodiversity for Sustainable Development," thousands of representatives of governments, NGOs, indigenous peoples, scientists and the private sector have gathered for the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 12).
Among the Caribbean countries represented are Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Dominica, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Between October 6 and 17, Parties will agree on steps to accelerate the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets, which are to be achieved by the end of this, the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity.
The results of Global Biodiversity Outlook 4, the flagship assessment report of the CBD will inform the discussions.
The collection of decisions to be taken at COP 12 is already being referred to as the "Pyeongchang Road Map" and is expected to include a resource mobilisation strategy expected to substantially increase the resources available for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.
The discussions by Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity also take place in the context of negotiations of proposed Sustainable Development Goals and the post-2015 development agenda, currently underway at the United Nations.
The ground-breaking agreement on access to and use of genetic resources, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization will enter into force during the meeting, and governments will hold its first Meeting of the Parties (COP-MOP 1), from 13 -17 October 2013. The Nagoya Protocol aims to create new incentives to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and further enhance the
contribution of biodiversity to sustainable development.
At today's opening Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, United Nations Assistant-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said "the decisions forming the Pyeongchang Roadmap are expected to provide for further tools and guidance, where necessary, to assist the further implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and achievement of its Aichi Biodiversity Targets as well as for further capacitybuilding, enhancement of technical and scientific cooperation and other initiatives and measures regarding resource mobilisation and the financial mechanism."
Yoon Seong-kyu, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Korea said: "Korea will propose and pursue 'Bio Bridge Initiative' to promote scientific and technological cooperation as a main method to smoothly draw and put forward the PyeongChang Roadmap. The Bio Bridge Initiative will serve as a platform to link developing countries' demand for science and technology to developed countries' excellent scientific technology, enhancing cooperation in the international community for the achievement of the CBD targets."
UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director, Achim Steiner, said, " There has been increased financial investment and policy action to protect biodiversity, yet, studies show that it will be difficult to reach the full set of the Aichi targets if we remain within the current trajectory, due to accumulated and increased pressures on the natural world."
"COP 12 provides a critical opportunity to inject renewed impetus into our commitment to the Aichi Targets – which remain within reach – and to shape the Sustainable Development Goals by revisiting national strategies and plans. With the progress made so far, it is clear that plausible pathways exist to build momentum, strengthen political will and take decisive measures to stay on track. We need to do more – and do it fast – to protect the very fabric of the natural world."
Hem Pande, representing the Government of India which holds the COP 11 presidency, said "This Conference is significant in the context of adopting final targets for mobilising resources for implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 following the roadmap agreed to in Hyderabad as well as for the mid-term review of implementation of this Plan. It is gratifying to note that the strategic plan is being considered as an important basis of action and implementation for the post-2015 development agenda, and proposed Sustainable Development Goals. Delaying action on adopting final targets for resource mobilisation would not only limit our choices for cost-effective action, but also jeopardize timely achievement of the Aichi Targets, thereby adversely impacting sustainable development."
Governments will take their decisions at COP 12 on the basis of the results of the global assessment on biodiversity entitled Global Biodiversity Outlook 4 (GBO-4). Released today, GBO4 provides an assessment report on progress towards meeting the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and suggests additional actions required to implement the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity. GBO4 says that while the Aichi Biodiversity Targets are still within our reach, substantially greater efforts are required. Success will contribute to the global sustainable development agenda including addressing food and water security, climate change, land degradation and others.
COP 12 will identify ways to mobilise financial and human resources necessary to achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The COP will consider adopting final targets for resource mobilisation following-up on the preliminary targets agreed at COP 11, including the possible addition of a target for related to domestic resource mobilization. These discussions will be based on the report of the high-level panel on global resource assessment and a global monitoring report prepared by the CBD Secretariat. The COP will also discuss the extension of the strategy for resource mobilization beyond 2015, including the adoption of concrete and effective actions, including biodiversity financing mechanisms and possible safeguards, and the establishment of a robust financial reporting framework. The two week-long meeting of the COP will also see substantial discussions on issues related to the biodiversity of the oceans of the world.
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