ENB @WG-PA, Montecatini, Italy 13-17 June2005

First Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group
on Protected Areas

13- 17 June 2005, Montecatini, Italy

Earth Negotiations Bulletin - ENB

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Highlights for Wednesday 15, June 2005

Delegates to the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Protected Areas (PAs) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) convened in two sub-working group sessions. Sub-Working Group I (SWG-I) considered a conference room paper (CRP) on options for cooperation for the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) beyond national jurisdiction. Sub-Working Group II (SWG-II) addressed a CRP on options for mobilizing financial resources.

Above photo L-R: Stefan Leiner (European Community) concurs with Peter Bos (the Netherlands on behalf of the EU)

SUB-WORKING GROUP I

Above photos L-R: The dais of SWG-I with David Coates (CBD), SWG-I Chair Karen Brown, and Marjo Vierros (CBD)

HIGH SEAS PROTECTED AREAS:


The UN FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO) proposed additional operative language on subjecting the establishment of MPAs to their evaluation vis-a-vis to other management tools. Above photo: Kevern Cochrane (FAO)	COLOMBIA, supported by many, proposed to retain general language on noting the scientific study without mentioning specific areas. Above photo: Marcela Cañor (Colombia)	The EU suggested gathering information on the distribution of seamounts and cold-water corals, ecosystem functioning and ecology of associated species from a range of depths, as well as a general reference to human activities impacting marine biodiversity. Above photo: Robert van Dijk and J.W. Nieuwenhuis (the Netherlands on behalf of the EU)

Regarding language requesting elaboration of a spatial database of biodiversity in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction, delegates debated specific references to its content, including information on representative marine areas, existing regional MPA systems and pressures on MPAs.


ICELAND suggested the database address marine biodiversity in general. Above photo: Sigurdur Thriainsson (Iceland)	The BAHAMAS favored retaining specific references in the database. Above photo: Rochelle Newbold (the Bahamas)	The UN LEGAL OFFICE informed delegates on the mandate of the informal working group on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, established according to paragraph 73 of UNGA resolution 59/24 (Oceans and the Law of the Sea). Above photo: Valentina Germani (UN Legal Office)

SUB-WORKING GROUP II


Above photos L-R: The dais of SWG-II with Sarat Babu Gidda (CBD), SWG-II Chair Orlando Santos (Cuba) and Jo Mulongoy (Secretary of the Meeting); SWG-II Chair Santos (Cuba).

FINANCIAL RESOURCES:

Delegates continued consideration of a CRP containing recommendations on options for mobilizing financial resources.


On perverse subsidies, INDONESIA proposed new text on redirecting perverse incentives to support PAs. Above photo: Budi Satyawan Wardhana (Indonesia)	The RUSSIAN FEDERATION suggested establishing a specific timeframe for a dialogue on financing to meet target 3.4 of the work programme. Above photo: Vladimir Krever, Olga Krever and Alexander Shestakov (Russian Federation)


The EU proposed new text inviting international development banks, including the World Bank, European Investment Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to incorporate criteria for biodiversity conservation into guidelines for development. Above photo: Delegates from the EC and the EU during a session in SWG-II on Financing.	Regarding other organizations supporting PA financing roundtables PERU suggested including multilateral and bilateral support. Above photo: Alberto Paniagua (Peru)