SPREP and CBD meet

The Pacific Voyage Media Team, 26 October Nagoya Japan -

The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has agreed to work closely at the national and regional level on issues related to biodiversity and climate change.

Following a meeting with CBD Executive Secretary, Dr Ahmed Djoghlaf, Director of SPREP, David Sheppard said they discussed the existing Memorandum of Understanding and agreed to continue expanding cooperation in the future.

Mr.  Sheppard elaborated that one of the key issues discussed was the importance of strengthening of carrying outi the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

Dr Djoghlaf highlighted the planned Global Programme of Capacity Development Workshops whichwill be organized through 2011-12 to assist countries with updating their NBSAPs in line with the new strategic plan.

This will be a key component of a broader programme with the overarching aim to support implementation of the Convention.  In particular it will advance the new strategic plan and other relevant decisions from COP10 by supporting national implementation through global and regional programmes of capacity development and knowledge management.  The Partnership approach will be a main factor. 

Dr Djoghlaf, in a statement presented to Mr. Sheppard stated that, “In line with the new Strategic Plan and the consolidated guidance for the development, updating and implementation of NBSAPs the workshops will assist countries to translate the Post 2010 strategic plan into national targets and commitments, and integrating these into updated NBSAPs.  This second generation of NBSAPs must be effective tools for mainstreaming biodiversity into broader national policies, strategies and planning processed.”

Under the fifth allocation of funds of the Global Environment Facility (GEF-5) (2010-2014), it is expected that US500 000 will be allocated to each GEF-eligible country for biodiversity planning. The workshops, held throughout 2011 will help guide and orientate countries, in line with COP guidance, so that they can make early and effective use of these funds, thereby ensuring an early start to the process of implementing the new Strategic Plan.