Summary
On Saturday, 30 April 2016, SBSTTA 20 plenary convened in the morning and adopted 15 recommendations. Costa Rica for GRULAC underscored the recommendations on synthetic biology and invasive alien species (IAS), noting that biodiversity mainstreaming is key for sustainable development and requires stakeholder participation. Indonesia for Asia-Pacific stressed the importance of implementing CBD guidelines, capacity building and adequate funding. The Democratic Republic of Congo, on behalf of the African Group, called upon parties to redouble their efforts to achieve those Aichi targets that show least progress, and underscored the recommendations on restoring ecosystems, mainstreaming biodiversity and IAS, noting that more work is needed on synthetic biology. Turkmenistan, on behalf of Central and Eastern Europe, emphasized the need to mainstream biodiversity targets into the Sustainable Development Agenda. The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity called for a rights-based approach to ensure the successful implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity.
CBD Executive Secretary Braulio Dias welcomed SBSTTA 20 outcomes ensuring: progress towards achieving the Aichi targets; a strong relationship with IPBES; and mainstreaming biodiversity across sectors, also with regard to pollinators. He also praised SBSTTA recommendations containing the action plan on ecosystem restoration, guidance on marine debris, and next steps on ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs). SBSTTA Chair Bignell thanked delegates for their spirit of goodwill and passion for the CBD objectives in tackling a heavy agenda. He urged delegates to “go home and implement,” and drew the meeting to a close at 12:23pm.
IISD Reporting Services, through its ENB Meeting Coverage, has provided daily web updates from the 20th Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and the 1st Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation. In addition, IISD Reporting Services has produced a summary and analysis of both meetings which is available in HTML and PDF format.
L-R: David Cooper, CBD Deputy Executive Secretary; Braulio Dias, CBD Executive Secretary; and SBSTTA Chair Andrew Bignell (New Zealand)
Christine von Weizsäcker, ECOROPA
Jihyun Lee, CBD Secretariat
L-R: Valentina Mauriello and Mery Ciacci, Italy
SBSTTA 20 delegates applaud Andrew Bignell (New Zealand) for his able chairmanship.