The purpose of this list is to facilitate worldwide communication and exchange of ideas, methods and technologies among technical specialists, professionals and policy makers engaged in biodiversity planning in general, and the development and implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans, in particular.

The list is currently minimally moderated in that any member can post messages directly, and it is open to all interested subscribers. Internet etiquette and list policy prohibits the posting of commercial announcements or material that, in the the opinion of the list moderator, is in bad taste or potentially offensive to any members. Violators of these rules will be removed from the list.

With regard to topical discussions, list members are requested to use judgement and discretion, and to show consideration for the membership at large in pursuing topics of limited general interest. Extended detailed technical discussions may be best carried on directly among interested correspondents, with the conclusions or a summary of key points provided to the list membership at appropriate intervals.

Who is on this list? The primary users of this list are people associated with developing National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, worldwide. Members of this list also include: Biodiversity planners, Country Focal Points for the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Global Environment Facility, and the CBD Clearinghouse Mechanism, Technical staff from the GEF Implementing Agencies (UNDP, UNEP, WB), Technical Staff from the CBD and GEF Secretariats, Experts from other organizations (IUCN, WRI, WCMC, WWF, TNC).

Why ? Most of the Parties to the CBD are currently in some stage of initiating, developing, adopting or implementing National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. This list is meant to provide a forum for rapid and convenient exchange of information and sharing of experience and expertise.

The Bioplan list provides a medium for exchanging dialog among country planning teams on all aspects of development and implementation of BSAPs, and for seeking advice, guidance and support on where to find and how to best utilize planning tools and examples of current best practice.

Members who wish to respond to a question, request help, share information and best practice experience, post notices of relevant events, or seek peer input, should reply to bioplan@majordomo.undp.org to distribute messages to the entire list.

The list provides an informal platform to explore new and emerging issues related to biodiversity planning and implementation of the CBD such as financing strategies for BSAP implementation, benefit sharing, mainstreaming of biodiversity into sectoral and economic policy development and planning, incentive measures, biosafety and technology transfer, harmonization and streamlining coordination of the mutual and overlapping implementation objectives among the CBD and other environmental conventions.

The list provides an opportunity to showcase reports, analyses, and case studies that may have general applicability or provide framework models to be adapted for broader application.

Although the primary language for discourse on the bioplan list has been English, material can be posted in any language. One purpose of the list is to foster the development of a truly global forum of expertise.

Microsoft Word, Text only, Word perfect 5.1 and above, Excel spreadsheets, and Rich Text Format documents are accessible to the largest number of subscribers. Increasingly, "PDF" files that are read by Adobe 3.0 are becoming more accessible to most users.

To reach a human or if you have trouble/questions accessing the server send an e-mail to:

Your suggestions and contributions are welcome. To communicate with us, or for further information, please contact:

Dr. G. Ken Creighton or Ms. Gillian Chalmers

Programme Co-ordinator Programme Assistant

Phone: 1 212 906 6757 Phone: 1 212 906 6628

UNDP/GEF

304 East 45th Street, 16th floor

New York, NY 10017

Fax: 1 212 906 6568