Event

Objective/Agenda

Presentations delivered by UNDP staff and/or UNDP supported projects:

Comments and links to the main items discussed in COP 9

UNDP/GEF side events

UNDP/GEF Support to the Implementation of the CBD Programme of Work of Protected Areas

23 May
13:15 – 15:00

To showcase the UNDP/GEF support to the Programme of Work for Protected Areas. One of the most recent UNDP/GEF global projects, which provides assistance to implement critical PoWPA activities, is Supporting Country Early Action on the PoWPA.

Agenda

1. Progress in PoWPA implementation, Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, CBD Executive Secretary.
2. GEF support to protected areas, Mr. Gustavo Fonseca, GEF Team Leader, Natural Resources.
3. UNDP work on Protected Areas, Nik Sekhran, Senior Technical Advisor for Biodiversity

Presentations from countries: The Gambia, Bahamas and Micronesia.

Updates from the Early Action Project

1. UNDP work on Protected Areas, Nik Sekhran, UNDP/GEF STA for Biodiversity.

2. Experience from Africa: PoWPA in the Gambia; Mr. Momodu Kotu Cham, Secretary of State for Forestry and Environment, The Gambia

3. Experience from the Caribbean: PoWPA in the Bahamas; Mr. Deon Stewart, Deputy Chief Health Inspector, Environment Science and Technology Commission, The Bahamas

4. Experience from the Pacific: PoWPA in the Federated Protected States of Micronesia; Mr. Marion Henry, Assistant Secretary, Division of Resource Management and Development, Department of Resources and Development

The event was very well attended by over 100 delegates and NGO representatives and was covered in the Earth Negotiation Bulletin.

The final decision on PAs (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/L.30) contains two sections on: review of implementation of the programme of work on PAs; and options for mobilizing as a matter of urgency, through different mechanisms, adequate and timely financial resources for the implementation of the programme of work. It also specifically mentions the UNDP/GEF Global Country Early Action project.

Biodiversity and Business

27 May
13:15 – 15:00
Saal Liszt

To showcase the UNDP/GEF work on mainstreaming of biodiversity principles into the private sector – focusing on two sectors and the partner institutions; Fair trade/flower production with Marks & Spencer (South Africa), transforming productive practices in the coffee sector by increasing market demand for certified sustainable coffee with the Rainforest Alliance (regional – Latin America);

Welcoming statement – The Challenge, Nik Sekhran, UNDP Senior Technical Advisor on Biodiversity

Biodiversity and Flower Initiative in South Africa, Leslie Richardson, Flower Valley Conservation Trust – partner in the UNDP/GEF Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative

Motivation for Retailer involvement in Biodiversity and Flower Initiative, Peter Stuart, Better Flower Initiative

Biodiversity and Coffee Initiative in Central America, Leif Pederson, Rainforest Alliance

Motivation to purchase Certified Coffee, Nicola Opperman, Krafts

6. Welcoming statement – The Challenge, Nik Sekhran, UNDP Senior Technical Advisor on Biodiversity

7. Biodiversity and Flower Initiative in South Africa, Leslie Richardson, Flower Valley Conservation Trust

8. Motivation for Retailer involvement in Biodiversity and Flower Initiative, Peter Stuart, Better Flower Initiative

9. Biodiversity and Coffee Initiative in Central America, Leif Pederson, Rainforest Alliance

10. Motivation to purchase Certified Coffee, Nicola Opperman, Krafts

Although the number of side events on biodiversity and business was high, this was by far the one with the largest and most varied audience, even under the circumstances that we had to change the venue in the morning of the event.

In the COP 9 decision on business engagement (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/L.15), the COP, inter alia, invites parties to improve actions and cooperation for enhancing the engagement of the business community; encourages financial institutions to include biodiversity considerations into all investments and to create investment schemes to promote sustainable business activities; and requests the GEF to support capacity building in developing countries for engaging the business community. The annex contains a framework for priority actions on business 2008-2010, on building and promoting the business case for biodiversity and disseminating tools and best practice.

GEF side events with UNDP participation

GEF Biodiversity Strategy: Catalyzing Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation

19 May,
13:15 – 14:45

To present GEF's strategic objectives and programs on biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and access and benefit sharing for the period of FY2007-2010

11. Sustainable Financing for Protected Area Systems: Case Study/PIF from Thailand:

Nik Sekran

The final decision on CBD’s financial mechanisms (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/L.38) consists of 3 sections on: the third review of effectiveness of the financial mechanism; input to the fifth GEF replenishment, with the annexed four-year framework; and additional guidance to the financial mechanism. The COP requests the GEF Council to take actions to improve the effectiveness of the financial mechanism by, improving result-based reporting on the total contribution of the GEF to achieving the CBD objectives; and addressing capacity restraints in developing country parties with regard to implementation of the RAF.

The GEF and Indigenous Peoples

21 May,
18:15 – 19:45

To present GEF's experience with projects involving indigenous communities and provide opportunity for a dialogue between the indigenous peoples and GEF on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. A few case studies on GEF projects with indigenous communities were  highlighted at the event. A booklet on GEF and Indigenous Communities was launched.

A presentation on the work of the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) was provided by a panel of three speakers: Terence Hay-Edie provided an introduction to the work of the GEF SGP at the global level, including the 15% proportion of the total portfolio of SGP projects working with indigenous peoples; Manuel Quezada from Community Tours Sian Ka'an, a 2006 Equator Initiative Finalist, presented the COMPACT landscape approach for the co-management of the Sian Ka'an World Heritage Site in Yucatan, Mexico, in partnership with Mayan indigenous peoples; and Maria de Lourdes Cruz from the Cooperative Vigia Chico, also a 2006 Equator Initiative Finalist, presented in detail a sustainable lobster harvesting project undertaken by indigenous fishing communities in the Bahia de la Ascension.

12. GEF SGP and Indigenous Peoples
Terrence Hay-Edie, SGP (brief introduction)

Maria de Lourdes Cruz, Vigia Chico Cooperative, Sustainable lobster harvesting Project, SGP Grantee

The COP 9 final decision on Protected areas (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/L.30) invites parties to: improve and diversify and strengthen PA governance types, in accordance with appropriate national legislation including recognizing and taking into account, where appropriate, indigenous, local and other community-based organizations; and establish effective processes for their participation in PA governance, consistent with national law and applicable international obligations;

The GEF support towards Sustainable Financing of Protected Areas System

The side event presented GEF's strategy towards supporting developing countries and countries in economic transition on sustainable financing of protected areas. A few successful cases from Africa (UNDP/GEF project), and Latin America were presented.

13. Ensuring financial sustainability of PA system by Diversifying Revenue Sources – case of Namibia (Africa)- UNDP , Ben Beytell, Chief Director, Parks Namibia

14. Measuring progress: Financial sustainability scorecard, Adriana Dinu, RTA Biodiversity UNDP

The event was well attended. The COP 9 final decision on Protected areas (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/L.30) recognizes that innovative mechanisms, including market-based approaches can complement but not replace public funding and development assistance for protected area finance.

CBD side events with UNDP/GEF participation

Fourth National Report to the CBD and Towards 2010 Targets

27 May
Saal Hauptmann, Maritim

UNDP was involved in the event because it is jointly with UNEP implementing a GEF project that finances the preparation of the fourth national report. The project also aims to assist countries with an initial assessment of progress towards 2010 targets at the national level. UNDP has just concluded the preparation of the 'Towards 2010 Guidebook'. The guidebook was presented and discussed in its draft version. It was prepared with assistance from the United Nations University and contributions from
the CBD Secretariat.

Presentations focused on the following themes related to the fourth national report:

The "nr4" portal (http://www.cbd.int/nr4), the Guidelines for countries' fourth report submission, i.e. the format for the report, and the annotated Guidelines for the report, also referred to as the "manual" -- presented by Mr. Lijie Cai and Mr. David Cooper, from the CBD Secretariat;

The Guidebook 'Towards 2010' presented as a work in progress by author Dr. Tony Gross, United Nations University, Institute for Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS);

The UNDP-UNEP global GEF project 'Towards 2010 / 4NR', presented by Ms. Fabiana Issler from UNDP/GEF; and

Presentation of example chapters of the fourth national report by Czech Republic; UK and Thailand, presented by representatives from these CBD Parties.

15. The UNDP-UNEP global GEF project 'Towards 2010 / 4NR', presented by Ms. Fabiana Issler, UNDP/GEF

The event was organised by the CBD Secretariat and was attended by 65 people, most of which were CBD Parties, but also a few NGOs and members of the academic community.

The event was followed by the Third Project Starring Committee.

EU – China Biodiversity Partnership: lessons on mainstreaming Biodiversity

28 May
13:15 - 14:45
Saal Schumann, Maritim

To showcase the multi-donor partnership to protect China’s biodiversity.

Welcoming remarks:
Ms. Solidad Blanco, Director of International Cooperation of RELAX of EC

Mr. Wan Bentai, Director General of Department of Ecology of Ministry of Environmental Protection, and

Mr. Nik Sekhran, Senior Technical Advisor for Biodiversity, UNDP

China’s efforts in biodiversity conservation presentation by MEP

16. EU – China Biodiversity Programme, Yinfeng Guo , programme manager, UNDP

EU, UNDP and MEP jointly held the side event entitled The Nature of China – Keeping Balance on a Fast Moving Train.

Ms. Blanco told the participants that biodiversity would remain a priority in EC development cooperation and she looked forward to the success of ECBP as the largest programme in terms of funding, partners involved and complex issues to be addressed. Mr. Wan detailed China’s achievements in implementation of CBD in inter-ministerial coordination mechanism, legal and policy framework, national biodiversity strategy and action planning, biological species resources conservation, breeding of endangered species, etc, and highly commended CCBP as a platform to share the knowledge and experience in biodiversity conservation in EU and China and to achieve the targets of 2010 to reduce biodiversity loss. Mr. Sekhran appreciated the efforts of ECBP staff to organize this important event during the COP9 of CBD and briefed on UNDP’s energy and environment programme. He highlighted China Biodiversity Partnership and Framework as major platforms of UNDP’s contribution to conserving China’s biodiversity together with other initiatives in agrobiodiversity, wetland and marine biodiversity, and he highly commended the important roles of ECBP in supporting the partnership and framework which is designed to mainstream biodiversity issues in the context of the country’s social and economic development.