ENB @ CBD COP-6, 7-19 April 2002, The Hague, The Netherlands

Sixth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
The Hague, The Netherlands
7-19 April 2002

Daily Web Coverage: Images and Real Audio

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Highlights for Friday 12 April 2002

Delegates met throughout the day in two Working Groups and contact groups. Working Group I (WG-I) discussed the Global Plant Conservation Strategy (GPSC) and reviewed conference room papers (CRPs) on the GSPC and marine and coastal biodiversity. Working Group II (WG-II) discussed cooperation with other conventions, international organizations and initiatives, and the contribution to the ten-year review of Agenda 21, and began considering a CRP on scientific and technical cooperation and the Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM). A Plenary to review progress was convened in the afternoon, and contact groups on invasive alien species, access and benefit-sharing, and the strategic plan also met. Above photo: Bird's eye view of today's plenary session.

WORKING GROUP I: GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR PLANT CONSERVATION

Iran, on behalf of ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGION and supported by many, emphasized the need for new and additional funds for the GSPC's implementation and highlighted capacity building

NEW ZEALAND suggested that recovery and restoration programmes for threatened plant species should comprise a separate target and emphasized management plans for most important invasive alien species with strategies identified at national and regional levels.

BOTANIC GARDENS CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL highlighted its new program focused on capacity building and funding for a CBD staff position.

WORKING GROUP II: COOPERATION WITH OTHER CONVENTIONS, INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INITIATIVES

Chair Elaine Fisher noted that COP-7 is requested to endorse the joint work programme with the CONVENTION ON MIGRATORY SPECIES (CMS) and the third joint work programme with the Ramsar Convention. The CMS highlighted its activities.

SWITZERLAND said that the FAO, the UNFF, the UNFCCC and mitigation measures under the Kyoto Protocol could promote CBD objectives.

CANADA, supported by many, suggested harmonization of policies and procedures primarily at the national level to enhance national and international implementation.

The GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION FACILITY recommended eliminating barriers to accessing biodiversity data through digitization, participatory mechanisms and capacity building.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE TEN-YEAR REVIEW OF AGENDA 21:

The EU stressed increasing its official development assistance, supported including concrete action-oriented proposals, which would generate political will for CBD implementation.

PERU stressed integration of biodiversity consideration in all sectors of economy and society, and the importance of the private sector.

PLENARY:

COP-6 President Geke Faber (The Netherlands) convened an afternoon Plenary, and delegates elected nine of the ten Bureau members for COP-7: Desh Deepak Verma (India); Mahfuzul Haque (Bangladesh); Soumayila Bance (Burkina Faso); Max Kitchell (Australia); Ines Verleye (Belgium); John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda); Gordana Beltram (Slovenia); and Alexander Shestakov (Russian Federation). The election of one GRULAC member is still pending.

WG-I Chair Peter Schei (Norway) (below left) and WG-II Chair Elaine Fisher (Jamaica) (below right)then reported on progress in the working groups.

Amb. John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda) reported on progress in the informal group on budget. He said that the agreement on the budget for the upcoming biennium is still pending, that the proposed increase would not be possible, and that maximum restraint should be exercised in establishing new groups, intersessional meetings and workshops.

ENB SNAPSHOTS:

Links:

The CBD home page

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety home page

ENB Coverage of COP-5 |SBSTTA-7 |WG on Article 8(j)-2|WG-ABS-1 |

COP-6 Provisional Agenda |PDF|WORD|

COP-6 Information for Participants in PDF

CBD-Handbook

IISD Introduction to the CBD Process