ENB:09:65
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FUTURE PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR TERRESTRIAL BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (AGENDA ITEM 10)
INPUT TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON FORESTS: The Secretariat introduced the document addressing matters related to forests and biological diversity (UNEP/CBD/COP/3/16) and, the Secretariat of the Commission on Sustainable Development’s Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF) presented the Panel’s progress report to the CBD (UNEP/CBD/COP/3/17) on Thursday, 7 November. Delegates discussed: the relationship between the CBD and the IPF; the establishment of a programme of work for the conservation of forest biodiversity; and the CBD’s role in conserving forest biodiversity. Many delegations endorsed continued cooperation between the CBD and the IPF. ARGENTINA warned that the CBD should not be negligent in its work on forests by relying on the IPF. MALAYSIA urged that an international instrument on forests be addressed through the IPF to ensure that the multiple functions of forests are recognized. SWITZERLAND called on the CBD to use existing instruments to conserve forest biodiversity, and, with BRAZIL, stressed the need to avoid duplication of work.
Numerous delegations supported the formulation of a medium-term programme of work to develop and implement methods for sustainable forest management. AUSTRIA and SWITZERLAND emphasized the need for analysis of the underlying causes of biodiversity loss. RUSSIA and CUBA stressed analysis and mitigation of human impacts on forest biodiversity. CUBA also sought economic valuation of biodiversity components. THAILAND, FINLAND and others called for the development and use of criteria and indicators.
INDONESIA urged the COP to fill in gaps in forest biodiversity knowledge. The LATIN AMERICAN FOREST NETWORK called for recognition of the CBD as the only international legal instrument to address forest biodiversity loss. SRI LANKA recommended that the COP develop a mandate on forests similar to the Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity.
Delegates met in an informal contact group to consider the Chair’s draft decision on the relationship between the CBD and the IPF on matters related to forest biodiversity on Monday, 11 November. Controversial issues included the need to distinguish the roles of plantation and natural forests in the conservation of biodiversity and establishing the SBSTTA’s initial programme of work. In the interest of efficiency, the SBSTTA’s initial work programme was limited to devising methodologies for the implementation of criteria and indicators for biodiversity conservation and analyzing the impact of human activities on biodiversity loss. Delegates recommended, however, that the SBSTTA consider addressing underlying causes of deforestation, alien species introductions and ecological landscape models in the future. Delegates also urged the development of common priorities and a focused work programme for the CBD and the IPF.
The final text (UNEP/CBD/COP/3/L.8) affirms that “some forests” can play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity and that the CBD will work in a complementary way with the IPF and other forest-related fora. It endorses SBSTTA recommendation II/8, which limits SBSTTA’s initial work programme to devising methodologies for the development of criteria and indicators sustainable forest management and analyzing the impact of human activity on the loss of forest biological diversity. An annex transmits these decisions to the fourth session of the IPF.
FUTURE PROGRAMME OF WORK FOR TERRESTRIAL BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY IN LIGHT OF CSD DELIBERATIONS: The Secretariat introduced the document addressing the biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems (UNEP/CBD/COP/3/18) on Thursday, 7 November. The report recognized the need for an integrated approach to the planning and management of land resources and reaffirmed the importance of biological diversity in terrestrial ecosystems. The GAMBIA urged assistance to national governments in developing and managing sustainable land-use practices. CANADA highlighted the work of the Global Biodiversity Forum and the World Resources Institute in advancing the concept of bioregional planning. CHINA called on the GEF to identify and finance terrestrial biodiversity projects. SOUTH AFRICA emphasized grassland ecosystems as an issue for consideration by both the IPF and the SBSTTA. TUNISIA called for recognition of biodiversity in arid and semi-arid ecosystems.
Issues related to terrestrial biodiversity were dealt with peripherally in the informal contact group on forests. The decision (UNEP/CBD/COP/3/L.4) promotes complementarity with related activities under the CBD and calls on the SBSTTA to: cooperate with the Convention to Combat Desertification in matters related to biological diversity and drylands; examine forms of cooperation on matters related to biological diversity and mountains; and provide a report to COP-4 on the status and trends of biodiversity in inland water ecosystems.