ENB @ COP 9 19-30 May 2008; Bonn, Germany

Earth Negotiations Bulletin - ENB

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Fri 30 & Summary

Ninth Meeting of the Conference
of the Parties

19-30 May 2008| Bonn, Germany

Highlights for Thursday, 29 May 2008

Delegates met in two working groups throughout the day and into the night. Working Group I (WG I) considered conference room papers (CRPs) on invasive alien species (IAS), island biodiversity, forest biodiversity, protected areas (PAs), marine and coastal biodiversity, and biodiversity and climate change. WG II addressed CRPs on cooperation among multilateral environmental agreements, monitoring, assessments and indicators, operations of the Convention, Article 8(j), and financial resources and mechanism. High-level, contact and informal groups on access and benefit-sharing (ABS), marine and coastal biodiversity, forest biodiversity, agricultural biodiversity and biofuels, PAs, and the budget met throughout the day.

Above photo: Participants from the EU, Brazil and various indigenous and local communities in a huddle to agree on text concerning the CRP on Article 8(j).

WORKING GROUP I

Dais of WG I chaired by Maria Mbengashe (South Africa)

FOREST BIODIVERSITY:

In the context of reducing emissions from deforestation, MALAYSIA suggested, and delegates agreed, adding "in the framework of the UNFCCC" to clarify that the text refers to a specific international initiative.

Above photo: Letchumanan Ramatha (Malaysia)

The SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES supported text on suspending release of GM trees.

Above photo L-R: Elaine Fisher (Jamaica), Joseph Aitaro (Palau) and Selby Remie (Seychelles)

INLAND WATERS:

NORWAY welcomed the ongoing work of the Ramsar Convention on ecosystem functions.

Above photo: Arild Lindgaard (Norway)

With regard to the work of the Ramsar Convention, TURKEY requested recording their disagreement in the report of the meeting.

Above photo L-R: Turkish delegates Fatih Ekmekci, Haydar Fersoy, Bikir Uttu Atahan.

WORKING GROUP II

OPERATIONS OF THE CONVENTION:

With regard to a process for identifying emerging issues, MEXICO proposed requesting SBSTTA to review and discuss the proposals and, as appropriate, identify the emerging issue and present options for COP consideration.

Above photo L-R: Damaso Luna and Ana Luisa Guzmán (Mexico)

ARGENTINA supported that SBSTTA review proposals for emerging issues and identify them for COP consideration.

Above photo L-R: José Luis Sutera and Victoria Lichtshein (Argentina)

ABS:

A small group, co-chaired by René Lefeber (the Netherlands) and Sem Shikongo (Namibia) convened to discuss Annex I of the draft decision containing the international ABS regime's main components. The Co-Chairs asked delegates to identify which components for further consideration (bullets) could be turned into components for further elaboration and inclusion in the international regime (bricks).

PRESS CONFERENCE:


Brazilian Environment Minister Carlos Minc held a press conference in the afternoon at the margins of COP 9, announcing the creation of a forest greenbelt to combat deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon region. He also reiterated that policies started by Marina Silva, the former environment minister of Brazil, will continue.

ENB COP 9 SNAPSHOTS:

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