This event highlighted the contribution of biodiversity conservation to poverty alleviation through showcasing examples in Malaysia, Ethiopia, Nepal and Ecuador.

Noting that the poor depend heavily on the natural environment, Shinya Ejima, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), emphasized that changes to the environment can negatively impact livelihoods and that therefore JICA places human security at the heart of their efforts.

Zakri Abdul Hamid, Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of Malaysia, provided the keynote speech, emphasizing that if governments are able to contribute to poverty alleviation through biodiversity conservation, access and benefit sharing and sustainable resource use, then their job has been accomplished.

Girma Amente, Director General of Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise, Ethiopia, described how a participatory forest management project in Belete-Gera Forest in Ethiopia has helped halt deforestation, thereby contributing to biodiversity conservation and improving the livelihoods of local communities. He explained that this was accomplished through a forest-coffee certification programme.

Yam Malla, Executive Director, Center for People and Forests Bangkok, Thailand, highlighted an example of community forestry in Nepal, saying community forestry is a practical strategy for ensuring human security and creating a sustainable environment. To work, Malla highlighted the need for, inter alia: an enabling policy and law that provides secure land tenure, rights to use and benefit from the forest; and simple management plans.

Luis Suárez, Executive Director, Conservation International, Ecuador, outlined Socio Bosque, a national conservation agreement in Ecuador between the government and forest owners. He said the agreement aims to reduce deforestation rates and associated greenhouse gas emissions and improve the living conditions of the poorest 1 million people. He added that the agreement provides a direct yearly monetary incentive per hectare of forest conserved.

Eduardo Mansur, ITTO, summarized the discussions, highlighting: the vulnerability of humans due to their dependency on biodiversity; the links between biodiversity, economic strength and development; and community benefit as a key to conservation.

Luis Suárez, Conservation International, Ecuador

Girma Amente, Director General of Oromia Forest and Wildlife Enterprise, Ethiopia

Chris Briggs, UNDP, explained that the side event would elaborate on the “Latin America and the Caribbean: A Biodiversity Superpower” Initiative, which demonstrates to policy makers the need to incorporate biodiversity and ecosystem services into national strategies.

Olav Kjørven, Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP, said Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) possesses vast natural capital, which can be a critical source of economic growth and poverty alleviation. He suggested that by reforming its development model to protect natural capital, the region can remain a biodiversity and ecosystems services superpower.

Kjørven announced that a major output of the Initiative is a report that will present concrete financial and economic benefits and costs to countries from implementing sustainable ecosystem management. He said the Executive Summary and Policy Brief are now available, while the full report will be launched in December 2010.

Ginmardo Kromosoeto, Minister of Labour, Technology Development and Environment, Suriname, emphasized that Suriname’s new government is committed to conserving biodiversity and will incorporate the Initiative’s findings where they align with national legislation and the country’s cultural context. He showcased case studies of biodiversity conservation in his country, including in wetlands, the World Heritage-listed Central Suriname Nature Reserve, and three multiple-use management areas.

Antonio Brack-Egg, Minister of Environment, Peru, stressed that LAC is a biodiversity superpower because of the genetic resources, contributions to food security and traditional knowledge associated with its biodiversity.

Marcos Vaz, NATURA, stated that NATURA, a cosmetics company, had identified biodiversity as a key driver for growth and made biodiversity conservation central to its strategic plan in 1998. He identified as reasons for doing so the potential for biodiversity to: respond to many of humankind’s ailments; and reduce the company’s expenses by providing renewable raw materials to replace non-renewable ones. Vaz urged policy makers to be proactive and pragmatic in developing a framework in which all companies use biodiversity sustainably.

Andrew Mitchell, Director, Global Canopy Programme, highlighted that while the current level of funding for biodiversity and ecosystem services is US$36-38 annually, the need is between US$100-300 billion. Noting that the bulk of this money comes from government and philanthropy, he argued that other sources must be tapped. He highlighted how some of the innovative sources described in his organization’s publication “The Little Biodiversity Finance Book” could help to bridge this gap.

Speaking on behalf of Ahmed Djoghlaf, CBD Executive Secretary, a representative commended the Initiative, noting its importance for raising policy makers’ awareness around the need to integrate biodiversity into production functions. He emphasized that biodiversity is a primary safety net in particular for the region’s rural population, accounting for 89.9% of their total income in some areas. Noting that LAC could lead the world’s green economy, he cautioned that the region has a large number of threatened species.

Olav Kjørven, Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP, said that to remain a global biodiversity superpower, Latin America and the Caribbean must lead the way in establishing “pro-life” economic and development policies.

Andrew Mitchell, Director, Global Canopy Programme, described the potential of various innovative financing mechanisms, including: natural capital bonds; water trusts; and “greening of commodities” using premiums or penalties for sustainable or unsustainable production.

Ginmardo Kromosoeto, Minister of Labour, Technology Development and Environment, Suriname