Working Group I (WG-I) considered the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI), including the development of a process and guidelines for the in-depth review of the work programme. WG-I delegates also discussed terms of reference for an Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) on synergies among activities related to biodiversity, desertification and climate change. The contact group on island biodiversity, established on Tuesday, discussed the work programme’s targets and priority actions. A Friends of the Chair group was established to draft recommendations on genetic use restriction technologies (GURTs).  

Above photos L-R: The panel during the afternoon session of WG-I; WG-I Chair Mundita Lim (The Philippines) 

Palau, on behalf of ASIA AND THE PACIFIC, strongly supported the establishment of the AHTEG.

Above photo: Joel Miles (Palau)

Samoa expressed its readiness to be part of the AHTEG


Above photo: Pati Liu (Samoa)

Kiribati said that linkages between biodiversity and climate change are "inseparable."


Above photo: Taratau Kirata (Kiribati)

Marshall Islands stressed the importance of addressing linkages between biodiversity and climate change at both national and international levels. 

Above photo: Deborah Barker (Marshall Islands)

The Canadian Indigenous Biodiversity Network (CIBN) stressed that indigenous peoples are impacted by climate change. 

Above photo L-R: Lourdes Amos (IIFB), Earl Stevenson and Cresencio Hernandez (CIBN)

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) reported on its financial assistance to pilot-projects on adaptation to climate change. 

Above photo: Mario Ramos (GEF)

Gabon supported the pilot projects for the GTI; France suggested developing a summary of the GTI guide for broader dissemination; Japan stressed the need to improve the GTI coordination mechanism

Above photos L-R: Jean Bruno Mikissa (Gabon), Eric Chenin (France) and Saori Hirai (Japan)

Above photo L-R: Delegates from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) with Beatriz Torres, Christoph Häuser, and James Edwards

Above photo L-R: Delegates from Italy with Alessandro La Posta, Damiano Luchetti, Stefania Biscaroli, and Federico Cinquepalmi

Working Group II (WG-II) addressed the role of the clearing-house mechanism (CHM) in achieving the 2010 target and facilitating information exchange on progress made. WG-II also discussed ways and means to remove perverse incentives. A contact group on incentive measures was established. 

Above photos L-R: The WG-II panel with Marcos Silva, CBD, WG-II Chair Christian Prip (Denmark) and Marjo Vierros, CBD; WG-II Chair Prip informing delegates that a contact group on incentive measures was established.

The UK underlined the role of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility in measuring progress towards the 2010 target.


Above photo: Sarah Moon (UK)

Chile requested that the Executive Secretary identify priorities for information on the relevant indicators to be distributed to national focal points.

 Above photo: Jaime Rovira (Chile)

Mali thanked the government of the Netherlands for the provision of financial, human and technical assistance in support of the implementation of their CHM.


Above photo: Modibo Cissé (Mali)

The RUSSIAN FEDERATION underlined that cartographic and geological information and remote sensing data needs to be accessible in accurate formats and that information provided through the CHM needs to be translated into other languages.

Above photo: Irina Merzlyakova (Russian Federation)

The Indigenous Biodiversity Information Network stressed the lack of indigenous involvement in the Conservation Commons initiative. 


Above photo: Preston Hardison (Indigenous Biodiversity Information Network )

Zimbabwe called for capacity building, training and financial assistance for countries that have so far not been able to establish their national CHM.

Above photo: Margaret Mukahanana-Sangarwe (Zimbabwe)

Argentina proposed substantial amendments to the document on refinement and consideration of the proposals for the application of ways and means to remove or mitigate perverse incentives, and requested to address the issue in a contact group. 

Above photos L-R: Claudio Gutierrez and Victoria Lichtshein (Argentina)

Ecuador supported the proposal to establish a contact group to further elaborate the proposals on the application of ways and means to remove or mitigate perverse incentives.


Above photo: Antonio Matamoros (Ecuador)

Above photos L-R: Horst Korn (center) (Germany) chaired the contact group on island biodiversity; Joseph Ronald Toussaint (Haiti) looking intently at the draft text on island biodiversity. 

Above photo: Sem Taukondjo Shikongo (Namibia) was tasked to chair the contact group on incentive measures

Above photo L-R:  Carlos Martin-Novella (Spain), Hesiquio Benitez (Mexico), Mariana Bellot Rojas(Mexico) and Juanita Chaves (Colombia) on their way to their contact group session.