ENB @SBSTTA-10, Bangkok, Thailand 7-11 February 2005

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Mon 7
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Highlights for Monday, 7 February 2005

Delegates to the tenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-10) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) convened in Plenary throughout the day. In the morning, a brief opening ceremony was held and one minute of silence observed in memory of the victims of the December 2004 tsunami. Plenary then heard opening statements, addressed organizational matters, and considered progress reports on the implementation of programmes of work. In the afternoon, delegates reviewed the SBSTTA’s Operational Plan and a synthesis report on the draft reports of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Randy Thalman, University of the South Pacific, delivered a keynote presentation on island biodiversity, SBSTTA-10’s main topic for discussion.

Above photo: Delegates started the meeting with a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the recent tsunami in the Indian Ocean.

OPENING Ceremony:

Above photos: Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Thailand, officially opened SBSTTA-10 by sounding a Thai traditional drum. In his opening statement, he stressed the need to improve public understanding of biodiversity conservation.

Above photo L-R: The panel during the opening plenary with Nehemiah Rotich, on behalf of UNEP Executive Director Klaus Töpfer, Hamdallah Zedan, CBD Executive Secretary, Jo Mulongoy, CBD, and Marjo Vierros, CBD.

Statements:


Above photo L-R: CBD Executive Secretary Zedan congratulated Thailand on its efforts for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. He also noted that the December 2004 tsunami reminded of the vulnerability of humans to natural forces; SBSTTA-10 Chair Oteng-Yeboah declared the meeting open, and reviewed SBSTTA-10’s agenda and intersessional activities; Rotich, stressed UNEP’s support to an integrated framework on biosafety.


The UN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION highlighted linkages between biodiversity conservation and food security. Above photo: Linda Collette (FAO)	FRANCE reported on the outcomes of the Paris Conference on Biodiversity, and emphasized the need to mobilize and better communicate scientific information to decision makers and the public. Above photo: Thomas Jeanneret (France)


Saint Lucia, on behalf of LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN, expressed hope that constructive discussions would help achieving the meeting’s objectives. Above photo: Brian James (Saint Lucia)	Algeria, on behalf of AFRICA, noted the importance of discussions on agricultural biodiversity, the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) and genetic use restriction technologies. Above photo: Boumediene Mahi (Algeria)


Ukraine, on behalf of CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, commended progress in implementing the CBD. Above photo: Yaroslav Movchan (Ukraine)	Iran, on behalf of ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, emphasized the need for appropriate funding mechanisms to implement the work programme on island biodiversity, and said strong actions are needed regarding climate change and biodiversity. Above photo: Mostafa Panahi (Iran)


Mexico said the outcomes of SBSTTA must be clear, precise and limited to scientific advice in order to support decision making by the Conference of the Parties. Above photo: Hesiquio Benitez-Diaz (Mexico)	Norway asked to consider all credible sources of scientific information, such as the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, in order to reinforce SBSTTA’s scientific role. Above photo: Tone Solhaug (Norway)


CHINA supported involving the scientific community. Above photo: Cheng Weixue (China)	THAILAND called for timely notification mechanisms and financial resources to ensure contributions by national focal points. Above photo: Chaweewan Hutacharern (Thailand)

Keynote presentations:


Above photos: Randolph Thalman, University of the South Pacific, gave a keynote presentation on island biodiversity. He highlighted islands' unique ecosystems and vulnerabilities.

Reception hosted by the Government of Thailand:

Above photos L-R: H.E. Suwit Khunkitti, Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment welcomed delegates to SBSTTA-10; Hamdallah Zedan, CBD Executive Secretary thanked Minister Khunkitti and the government of Thailand for the beautiful reception