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ENB:09:06 [Next] . [Previous] . [Contents]

CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE

At the beginning of the discussion on this subject, the Chair, S.K. Ongeri, announced that the objective of this session was to share experiences at the national level, and to articulate views and recommendations for the COP.

REPORTS ON NATIONAL ACTIVITIES: A number of countries, including Colombia, Benin, Costa Rica, Canada, Zimbabwe, Syria, Fiji, and the Cook Islands, described their own national action plans. Mexico suggested that the biodiversity collections held in Northern countries should be inventoried. India stated that information sharing should be carried out regarding conservation tools and that ex situ efforts must be further strengthened to complement the work of developing countries in restoring species and degraded habitats.

The US suggested that Articles 6-14 of the Convention provide a good basis upon which to develop national programme and strategies. Morocco called for a global study of sites to be protected. To achieve the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, proper in situ conservation in agreement with the local population is needed as a first stage. The second stage involves the preparation of national monographs on biodiversity. Uganda urged the establishment of regional programmes to address shared biological resources. Many delegations, including Mozambique and Peru, stated that national implementation is dependent on the completion of national inventories. Belgium, on behalf of the EC, noted that all countries need technical support to implement the Convention, and pledged to support each other in the implementation of Articles 6-19. National strategies should deal with incentives and disincentives for the conservation of biodiversity.

UNDP described its capacity building programmes and its GEF-related activities. UNDP has allocated over US$30 million for biodiversity-related projects in 1992, out of its regular budget, and US$10 million out of its small grants programme. He also noted that as national capacity increases, the need for incremental costs to be covered by the GEF will diminish. UNEP described its special interest in the field of biodiversity, in light of the fact that it was the UN agency that brokered the Convention. He also referred to the importance of country studies as the basis for national strategies. The World Bank referred to its 30 investment projects and its various funds, including the Conservation Trust Fund and the Local Livelihood Fund. He referred to the importance of the GEF and added that the GEF should not just focus on small-scale projects but on larger ones as well. [Return to start of article]