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Selected other side events coverage for 15 November 2018
2018 UN Biodiversity Conference
L-R: Siim Kiisler, Minister of Environment, Estonia, President of UN Environment Assembly; Cristiana Pașca-Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary; and Facilitator Jorge Laguna-Celis, UN Environment
The following events were covered by IISD Reporting Services on Thursday, 15 November, 2018:
Innovative Solutions to Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Key Economic Sectors
Business Engagement Post-2020 – A New Deal for Business and Nature
Ministerial meeting of the Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC) Group
Innovative Solutions to Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Key Economic Sectors
Presented by UN Environment, in collaboration with the CBD Secretariat and UNEP-WCMC
L-R: Siim Kiisler, Minister of Environment, Estonia, President of UN Environment Assembly; Cristiana Pașca-Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary; and Facilitator Jorge Laguna-Celis, UN Environment
Facilitator Jorge Laguna-Celis, UN Environment, opened the event, highlighting the importance of creating “spaces where an open, transparent dialogue can take place.” He emphasized the need for concrete steps to take the biodiversity agenda forward by identifying and adopting joint solutions that allow fostering innovation and embracing sustainability.
Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Egypt, emphasized the need to integrate sustainability concerns in other sectors, noting that “there is a cost for inaction.” She underscored that voluntary action alone will not be adequate to address biodiversity concerns and urged to “raise the bar,” building robust regulatory and legislative frameworks. Fouad further called for “education, information, knowledge, and communication,” directly involving women and youth.
Siim Kiisler, Minister of Environment, Estonia, President of UN Environment Assembly, stressed the need for concrete suggestions and solutions, noting current fragmentation in environmental multilateral negotiations. He addressed, inter alia: the creation of green markets, increasing the share of green public procurements; ways to change behavioral patterns; the importance of environmental data for better assessments of environmental impacts; and resource efficiency.
Cristiana Pașca-Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary, stressed the need to “put down the segmentation and fragmentation barriers, and bring everybody at the table.” She highlighted new solutions and innovative business models that take into account environmental protection, noting the generation of co-benefits. She further emphasized that “scaling up does not mean more of the same, we need a pragmatic transformation,” and underscored that a set of valuable tools are already in place in that respect.
A discussion ensued, including on ways to: move the business case of mainstreaming biodiversity from impact to opportunity; and use innovation to mainstream biodiversity into business operations.
Mark Gough, Natural Capital Coalition, stressed understanding of the value - monetary and otherwise - of impacts and dependencies on nature was essential for businesses to mainstream biodiversity, and that the problem is not lack of data, but their flow.
Underscoring the urgency to address environmental issues and calling for science-based biodiversity targets, Jonathan Ekstrom, The Biological Consultancy, highlighted work integrating biodiversity into natural capital and assessing loss of natural habitats. Peter White, World Business Council For Sustainable Development, called for a systemic approach based on collaboration, an effective multi-stakeholder platform, and clear targets.
Brian Sullivan, IPIECA, noted the need for a detailed understanding of impacts and a holistic apprehension at site level of the effects of human activities. He further stressed the need for balancing energy transition, security, and access. Marco Lambertini, WWF, highlighted the need for a new narrative, a more compelling vision for biodiversity conservation that will bring nature loss at the center of the development agenda. Steven Dickinson, Total, underscored the need provide a Biodiversity Mainstreaming Framework to simplify data-sets, avoid the silo effect, and enact funds for networks of protected areas, including through public-private partnerships. Carolyn Margaret Jewell, Heidelberg Cement AG, noted the role of SDGs to induce sustainable activities and highlighted sector-led associations and platforms.
Gilles Kleitz, French Development Agency, emphasized the need to understand the economics of mainstreaming and the importance of national, sectoral, inclusive platforms that can link with and positively influence national biodiversity activities. Claire Tutenuit, Entreprises pour L’Environnement, called for the establishment of new business models, highlighting the role of regulation in creating an enabling environment and noting that “voluntary action by businesses is important, but not sufficient.” Daniel Calleja Crespo, Director General for the Environment, European Commission, stressed that “we don’t ask the private sector for philanthropy, the most successful businesses integrate sustainability concerns in their models.” He highlighted: the development of business and biodiversity platforms; the need for more effective financial instruments; the need to define sustainable investments; work to develop a kind of an eco-label for financial products; and meaningful pledges and commitments.
Francisco Javier Cachón, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Spain, emphasized that the circular economy is “the only way forward, there is no plan B,” underscoring the need to reduce consumption and waste generation. Patricia Zurita, BirdLife, highlighted the importance of a single, compelling message from the conservation community, noting the wealth of existing information and data on Key Biodiversity Areas is now providing this. Helen Crowley, Kering, stressed that the last two years have seen amazing successes in the fields of climate change and biodiversity, adding that natural capital accounting offers a brilliant framework to articulate and prioritize actions.
Tita Korvenoja, Ministry of the Environment, Finland, emphasized the need for an integrated approach “to break the silos,” noting that the 2030 Agenda offers a great tool in that respect. Theresa Mundita Lim, Asean Center for Biodiversity, addressed regional initiatives to coordinate on economic, political, and socio-cultural levels, noting the need for harmonization of indicators across the financial and biodiversity sectors. Andre Weidenhaupt, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, Luxembourg, discussed his country’s experience as a hub for the finance industry, noting relevant knowledge could be useful in attracting private money to leverage public funds. George Jaksch, Biodiversity Partnership Mesoamerica, urged for more dialogue with the business community, highlighting joint ventures supported by enabling policies.
Facilitator Laguna-Celis summarized the discussion, noting the need for governments, businesses, and relevant organizations to: work together and aim higher; integrate better; move forth in the Business and Biodiversity Forum fostering solutions; and address existing priorities, including data use to improve the management of natural resources.
Cristiana Pașca-Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary
Facilitator Jorge Laguna-Celis, UN Environment
Brian Sullivan, IPIECA
Siim Kiisler, Minister of Environment, Estonia, President of UN Environment Assembly
L-R: Francisco Javier Cachón, Ministry for the Ecological Transition, Spain; Jonathan Ekstrom, The Biological Consultancy; and Patricia Zurita, BirdLife
Mark Gough, Natural Capital Coalition
Marco Lambertini, WWF
Nigel Topping (center), Chief Executive Officer (CEO), We Mean Business, and Mark Johnston (right), BP, during the event discussions
George Jaksch, Biodiversity Partnership Mesoamerica
Claire Tutenuit, Entreprises pour l’Environnement
Participants during the event
Patricia Zurita, BirdLife
Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, Egypt
L-R: Gilles Kleitz, French Development Agency; Clarissa Arida and Theresa Mundita Lim, Asean Center for Biodiversity
Helen Crowley, Kering
Andre Weidenhaupt, Ministry of Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, Luxembourg
A view of the room during the event
Theresa Mundita Lim, Asean Center for Biodiversity
Steven Dickinson, Total
Participants during the event
Kimmo Tiilikainen, Finland
Carolyn Jewell, Heidelbergcement
CONTACT
Charlotte Ndakorerwa | charlotte.ndakorerwa@un.org
MORE INFORMATION
https://www.unenvironment.org/
https://www.unenvironment.org/resources/report/mainstreaming-biodiversity-well-being
Business Engagement Post-2020 – A New Deal for Business and Nature
Presented by UN Environment, The EU, Japan Biodiversity Fund, UNIDO, UNCTAD, Union for Ethical Biotrade, Biotrade Initiative, the ABS Capacity Development Initiative, and UNDP
Posted by IISD Reporting Services on Thursday, 15 November 2018
View of the Panel during the event
Moderator Carlos Manuel Rodriquez, Minister of Environment, Costa Rica, opened the panel discussion by reflecting on how decisions could be taken that really make a difference and change the way we measure success, progress, and prosperity, noting that markets are failing to reflect negative externalities.
Citing the Paris Agreement, Inger Anderson, IUCN, Director General, emphasized that a target needs to enumerate what can be achieved, especially around species, genetic biodiversity, and ecosystems and this should entail translating the Aichi targets into science-based targets for business, against which companies can measure their performance. She noted that countries and companies are coming forward with voluntary commitments ahead of COP 15, in Beijing, and that these should be assessed to see if the Aichi targets can be reached.
Derk Loorbach, Dutch Research Institute for Transitions (DRIFT), reflected on creating a broader momentum for transformational change and how new ways of thinking emerge and develop over time, after routine systems and structures are destabilized. He cautioned against quick fixes and establishing new global targets, preferring to mainstream alternatives that are inherently better, as well as creating communities of entrepreneurial actors.
Emphasizing that “solutions are close to us,” Shonisani Munzhedzi, South Africa, highlighted a WWF southern African sustainable seafood initiative, which allows consumers to check the sustainability of seafood choice, in real time, via the SASSI App. He noted that consumers make decisions according to the information provided and that this then forces businesses to adopt a transformative agenda.
Peter White, World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD), highlighted three Ms: message, material, and methodology in relation to business engagement. He preferred the term “nature,” explaining that “biodiversity” does not resonate with consumers. He explained that material refers to which aspect of nature is going to benefit or hit the bottom line and where business fits in. On methodologies, he called for creating frameworks so that everything fits together, noting that for the Paris Agreement there was a clear target and that the science was indisputable.
Majda Dabaghi, International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), highlighted bottom up and top down approaches, explaining that the bottom up entails aligning business and scientific perspectives on biodiversity, emphasizing the “millennial factor,” where consumers seek to engage with responsible businesses. On top down frameworks, she stressed that leadership is vital and that business should be involved in policy at the global and local levels.
Akanksha Khatri, World Economic Forum, discussed the need for a multistakeholder approach involving making connections on environmental, social, and political risk. She called for engaging on an action-oriented agenda to shift the narrative, pledging her organization’s support.
Gilles Kleitz, French Development Agency, emphasized the need for pro nature businesses and mid-and long-term targets, as well as for working on the ground. He also advocated making voluntary commitments, including on agriculture and the need for using existing measurement metrics.
In the ensuing discussion, participants discussed: illegal logging and wildlife trade; enforcing compliance; establishing a clear target for biodiversity; changing mentalities; and engaging the youth and private sector.
Carlos Manuel Rodriquez, Minister of Environment, Costa Rica; Akanksha Khatri, World Economic Forum
Akanksha Khatri, World Economic Forum, and Gilles Kleitz,French Development Agency
Derk Loorbach, Dutch Research Institute for Transitions (DRIFT)
Carlos Manuel Rodriquez, Minister of Environment, Costa Rica; Shonisani Munzhedzi, South Africa
A participant during the session
Panelists during the session
A participant asks a question during the session
Panelists pose for a photo.
CONTACT
www.cbd.int/business/meetings-events/2018/default.shtml
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Name goes here | email address
Name goes here | email address
MORE INFORMATION
www.cbd.int/business/meetings-events/2018/default.shtml
Ministerial meeting of the Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC) Group
Presented by the Government of Malaysia
Xavier Jayakumar, Minister of Water, Land, and Natural Resources, Malaysia; Barbara Thomson, Deputy Minister, Environmental Affairs, South Africa
Xavier Jayakumar, Minister of Water, Land, and Natural Resources, Malaysia, and current Chairman of the Like Minded Mega Diverse Countries (LMMC) Group, welcomed ministers and delegates observing that the meeting represented a significant milestone. He reflected on the Group’s success in influencing decision-making, highlighting the Nagoya Protocol as a notable achievement; as well as the adoption of the LMMC Carta to Achieve Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 (conserving by 2020, 17% of terrestrial water areas and 10% of coastal and marine areas, through protected areas and other area-based conservation measures) at COP 13, in Cancun, Mexico. Jayakumar announced that the Sharm El Sheikh Declaration, focusing on digital sequence information, genetic resources, Achi target 11, and the Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework would be presented during the course of the day. He also noted that the Declaration had been led by Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and South Africa, while the CBD Secretariat had been the lead organization. Congratulating delegates on its adoption, henoted that the Declaration would be submitted to the Secretariat and circulated as an information document for COP 14.
Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety, Germany, expressed gratitude as he received a certificate of Appreciation to acknowledge his country’s contribution as the largest donor to the LMMC and support to biodiversity conservation in LMMCs, including 500 million euros, per year, for forestry conservation.
Cristiana Paşca Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary, was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for the CBD Secretariat’s organizational support to the LMMC Group. Receiving the certificate, Paşca Palmer: reflected on her engagement with the CBD agenda since its adoption; expressed appreciation to the Secretariat for their hard work: and pledged
continued commitment to work in the same spirit and support to the Group.
Melesse Maryo, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, delivering remarks on behalf of Gemedo Dalle, Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Ethiopia, after the appointment of Ethiopia as Chair of LMMCs for the 2019-2020 period expressed sincere gratitude to member countries for honoring Ethiopia through this appointment. He congratulated Malaysia for its stewardship of the Group during the last two years; and looked at the task ahead as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Observing that a significant amount of biological and cultural diversity has flourished and is still maintained within LMMC territories, he noted that coordinated efforts should be multifaceted and would have far-reaching impacts on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. However, Maryo acknowledged limited success, when viewed in the light of challenges to the environment, including climate change, ecosystem degradation, invasive alien species, pollution, and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts by those countries that harbour the largest proportion of global biodiversity.
Representatives from Ethiopia then presented gifts to LMMC delegations.
Expressing continued commitment and support to the Group, Barbara Thomson, Deputy Minister, Environmental Affairs, South Africa, announced that her country had recently designated 21 Marine Protected Areas.
Xavier Jayakumar, Minister of Water, Land, and Natural Resources, and Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety, Germany
Melesse Maryo, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Ethiopia, and Xavier Jayakumar, Minister of Water, Land, and Natural Resources
Cristiana Paşca Palmer, CBD Executive Secretary, and Xavier Jayakumar, Minister of Water, Land, and Natural Resources
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Barbara Thomson, Deputy Minister, Environmental Affairs, South Africa
Ministers and high-level representatives pose for a photo
CONTACT
Edji Seyoum | Tel. +1 514 288 2220 ext.: 247 or 514-287-7022
MORE INFORMATION
lmmcgroup.wordpress.com
Photos by IISD/ENB | Felipe Ruiz and Francis Dejon
For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page
Summary report 5–13 November 2022
14th Session of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP14) of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention)
ENBOTS selected side events coverage for 25 October 2017
12th Meeting of the CMS Conference of the Parties (COP12)
The following events were covered by IISD Reporting Services on Wednesday, 25 October 2017:
African Elephant Action Plan: Safeguarding Africa’s Elephants for Future Generations
Green Energy, and Conservation of Migratory Bats
Conservation of Migratory Species in the ASEAN Region
The Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) is Calling - Changing the Way We Do Great Ape Conservation in a Changing World
International Icons: How Sharks Shape Lives Across the Globe
Single Species Action Plans for Migratory Waterbirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway
Protecting Migratory Species in the Middle East and North Africa Region
IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin on the Side (ENBOTS) Meeting Coverage, is providing daily web coverage from selected side events at CMS COP12.
Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth
For photo reprint permissions, please follow instructions at our Attribution Regulations for Meeting Photo Usage Page.
African Elephant Action Plan: Safeguarding Africa’s Elephants for Future GenerationsPresented by the African Elephant Fund (AEF) Secretariat and UN Environment
This session, moderated by Francisco Rilla, UN Environment, highlighted: ongoing activities of range state projects funded by the AEF on implementation of the African Elephant Action Plan (AEAP); lessons learned in implementation; and ways to strengthen CMS parties and African elephant range states’ collaboration on management of cross- border elephant populations.
Bradnee Chambers, CMS Executive Secretary, welcomed growing collaboration between African elephant range states on conservation of migratory elephants in the continent, including the Western African Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2005. He stressed CMS Secretariat readiness to support and implement the AEAP in partnership with CITES, including through fundraising.
Patrick Omondi, Chair, AEF Steering Committee, launched the new AEF/UN Environment joint report, ‘African Elephant Fund: Transforming Strategies into Action.’ He highlighted good practices from AEF-funded projects in addressing challenges such as illegal killing and ivory trafficking, and human-elephant conflicts.
James Njogu, Kenya Wildlife Service, noted the African elephant range states' partnership is the main driver for strengthening implementation of the AEAP, and stressed the importance of synergies between CMS and CITES to scale up this initiative.
Kofi Nana Adu-Nsiah, Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Ghana, emphasized engaging and raising awareness of local communities in implementing the AEAP through logistical support to monitor conservation status on the ground.
Tom de Meulenaer, CITES Secretariat, said it is essential for CMS to support and implement the AEAP as most of the listed actions are on “conserving” migratory elephants, a core business of CMS, as opposed to CITES’ mandate on trade.
Elizabeth Mrema, UN Environment, celebrated the launch of the new report, highlighting its benefits for other range states working on conserving migratory elephants.
In the ensuing discussion, several CMS parties expressed full support for funding and implementing the AEAP, and underlined the importance of ensuring ownership and participation of non-state actors, in particular the private sector and local communities. Omondi concluded the session by urging CMS parties to adopt and implement the AEAP.
Panel speakers (L-R): Bradnee Chambers, CMS Executive Secretary; Patrick Omondi, Chair, AEF Steering Committee; James Njogu, Kenya Wildlife Service; Kofi Nana Adu-Nsiah, Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Ghana; Tom de Meulenaer, CITES Secretariat; and Elizabeth Mrema, UN Environment.
Elizabeth Mrema, UN Environment, and Patrick Omondi, Chair, AEF Steering Committee, launched the new report, ‘African Elephant Fund: Transforming Strategies into Action.’
Bradnee Chambers, CMS Executive Secretary, noted duplication “should be avoided” between CMS and CITES.
James Njogu, Kenya Wildlife Service, said “adopting the AEAP in CMS COP12 means more donors and partnerships.”
Kofi Nana Adu-Nsiah, Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Ghana, highlighted that “efforts to conserve African elephants have been difficult without the AEF.”
Tom de Meulenaer, CITES Secretariat, said the AEF has been successful in reaching a broader range of donors and stakeholders to move the AEAP forward.
Participants engage in an interactive discussion
Contact:
Francisco Rilla | francisco.rilla@unep.org
More Information:
www.africanelephantfund.org/
www.unep.org/
Green Energy, and Conservation of Migratory BatsPresented by CMS Secretariat and UNEP/EUROBATS
This event focused on current threats to migratory bat species caused by wind energy production and the potential for the proposed CMS Appendix II listing of four hoary bats (Lasiurus spp.) to encourage needed research and catalyze protection.
Andreas Streit, Executive Secretary, UNEP/EUROBATS, urged adoption of the proposed listing, saying “it’s time to start working on bat conservation within CMS.”
Rodrigo Medellin, National Autonomous University of Mexico, emphasized the need for model species to help understand wind energy impacts on bats; described a potential 90% decline for hoary bats over the next 50 years without adequate action; said that waiting until bats are listed will be too late; and urged support for the proposed listing.
Jessica Galvez-Durand, National Forest and Wildlife Service, Peru, noted that three of the four proposed species occur in Peru. She outlined reasons for the proposed listing, including, inter alia: more legal protection; creating an opportunity to develop a regional action plan; promoting collaboration and synergies in the region and with UNEP/EUROBATS; and increased possibilities to promote sustainable development while mitigating impacts of wind energy.
Erin Baerwald, University of Regina, Canada, reviewed increasing trends of bat fatalities in different regions, noting that data suggest fatality rates of 800,000 bats per year for US and Canada. She stressed that conservation measures for wind facilities need to consider: proper siting; curtailment of turbines; acoustic deterrents; ultraviolet lighting; management of cumulative effects; and coordinated international protections and regulations.
In discussion, participants noted: purchasing energy from bird- and bat-friendly energy producers as a conservation strategy; the importance of post-construction monitoring; documenting ecosystem services provided by bats to encourage conservation and mitigation measures; and mapping tools and strategies.
Panel speakers (L-R): Moderator Alejandra Goyenechea, Defenders of Wildlife; Erin Baerwald, University of Regina, Canada; Jessica Galvez-Durand, National Forest and Wildlife Service, Peru; Rodrigo Medellin, National Autonomous University of Mexico; and Andreas Streit, Executive Secretary, UNEP/EUROBATS
Rodrigo Medellin, National Autonomous University of Mexico, called bats the “proverbial nocturnal canary in the mine,” telling us that wind energy is desirable, but we need to make it more environmentally friendly.
Erin Baerwald, University of Regina, Canada, noted that wind energy turbines are killing prime breeding age adults that come from large wind catchment areas.
Jessica Galvez-Durand, National Forest and Wildlife Service, Peru, said the goal for Peru is to expand the wind energy market while integrating bat conservation.
Andreas Streit, Executive Secretary, UNEP/EUROBATS, emphasized the importance of post-construction monitoring for bat mortality at wind energy facilities.
Participants during the event
Materials on display
Contact:
Alejandra Goyenechea | agoyenechea@defenders.org
Conservation of Migratory Species in the ASEAN Region
Presented by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)
This event, moderated by Sheila Vergara, ACB, covered activities on the conservation of migratory species in the ASEAN Region, the reduction of marine litter, and the ACB Resource Mobilization Strategy.
Tomoko Ichikawa, East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP), presented on the flyway, which supports the highest proportion of threatened migratory water bird species in the world, and on the Flyway Site Network, a set of internationally important sites for conservation of water birds.
Christiane Paulus, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Germany, underscored the importance of avoiding marine plastic debris to prevent negative impacts on migratory marine species and other marine life.
Roberto Oliva, Executive Director, ACB, presented on the ASEAN Heritage Parks, home to important migratory species such as the Chinese egret. He launched the ACB Resource Mobilization Strategy, to bring citizens and the private sector together for species conservation.
Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment, said we need to simplify UN language and develop “simple, attractive messages to include more people,” and work with the business sector to develop synergies and further environmental causes.
Ramon Paje, Vice President for Asia Pacific, UN Environment Assembly (UNEA), expressed hope for achieving a “pollution-free planet,” focusing on the upcoming UNEA.
View of the room during the event
Ramon Paje, Vice President for Asia Pacific, UN Environment Assembly, said humans are having a disastrous impact on biodiversity, but efforts like the ACB can help.
Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment, noted that “there is a lot of good news,” with important meetings and world leaders focusing on environmental action.
Christiane Paulus, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Germany, said there is considerable evidence that marine litter leads to large economic losses in the tourism and fisheries sectors.
Roberto Oliva, Executive Director, ACB, expressed that the uniqueness, diversity and outstanding value of certain ASEAN national parks and reserves deserve the highest recognition as conservation areas.
Participants during the event
Contact:
Sheila Vergara | svergara@aseanbiodiversity.org
More Information:
www.aseanbiodiversity.org/
www.unep.org/environmentassembly/
The Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) is Calling - Changing the Way We Do Great Ape Conservation in a Changing WorldPresented by UN Environment/GRASP and the Government of France
This side event, moderated by Neville Ash, UN Environment/World Conservation Monitoring Center, brought together key GRASP partners to discuss new initiatives and ideas to promote the Partnership and great ape conservation.
Noting that in a fast and changing world, “we need to think out of the box” regarding conservation, Johannes Refisch, UN Environment/GRASP, stressed that GRASP, with its more than 100 partners, including member nations, research institutions, UN agencies, conservation organization and private sector supporters, can facilitate cross-border and cross-sectorial approaches.
François Lamarque, Ministry of Environment, Energy and Sea, France, reiterated his country’s support towards GRASP, noting that ongoing cooperation will be continued and strengthened in the years to come.
Underscoring that GRASP is “a very special organization,” crossing the various sectors and facilitating collaboration, Christiane Paulus, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Germany, announced that her country will support two new projects, namely on transboundary cross river gorilla conservation in Nigeria and Cameroon via a transboundary biosphere reserve, and on conflict-sensitive conservation of eastern lowland gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Stressing that funding is the biggest constraint in conservation efforts in the region, Elizabeth Ehi-Ebewele, Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria, remarked that poaching, habitat degradation and deforestation have made gorilla populations in the Nigeria-Cameroon border region critically endangered.
Aggrey Rwetsiba, Chair, GRASP Executive Committee, Uganda, emphasized the need to focus on local communities, noting that “unless grassroots people in their poverty see the value in the conservation efforts, all the investments will be wasted.”
Gilles Biver, Ministry for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, Luxembourg, announced that his country will support GRASP projects, deriving the financial resources from climate funds and provide voluntary contribution to the CMS Gorilla Agreement.
Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment, focused on the need for a stronger and better narrative and the necessity to involve local communities. He stressed that “we need to tell better, not boring stories on the environment,” adding that policing is an inadequate measure and the involvement of local communities in conservation efforts invaluable.
Noting that gorillas have been listed in CMS Appendix I since the beginning, Bradnee Chambers, CMS Executive Secretary, provided an overview of the CMS Gorilla Agreement, emphasizing that GRASP and CMS have strong overlapping objectives, and announcing the proposal for collaboration between the two institutions under a specific legal framework and programme.
Panel speakers (L-R): Aggrey Rwetsiba, Chair of the GRASP Executive Committee, Uganda; Johannes Refisch, UN Environment/GRASP; François Lamarque, Ministry of Environment, Energy and Sea, France; Christiane Paulus, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Germany; Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment; Elizabeth Ehi-Ebewele, Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria; and Bradnee Chambers, Executive Secretary, CMS
Johannes Refisch, UN Environment/GRASP, stressed the need to “think beyond our comfort zone” regarding conservation, allowing for new projects and ideas to protect the great apes.
Elizabeth Ehi-Ebewele, Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria, highlighted the importance of financial pledges, stressing that funding is the single largest constraint in conservation efforts in the area.
Noting that in Uganda tourism-generated income related to gorillas and chimpanzees is shared with the local communities, Aggrey Rwetsiba, Chair, GRASP Executive Committee, Uganda, underscored that “the locals will be shooting if anyone tries to hurt a gorilla.”
Noting that GRASP is “not only a duty, but an initiative supported by her heart,” Christiane Paulus, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Germany, emphasized that in a conservation environment that is changing, cross-sectoral approaches are essential.
Using the example of the well-organized and regulated gorilla-related eco-tourism activities in Rwanda, Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment, emphasized that development around it “makes the local communities the first to protect the gorillas.”
Participants during the event
A GRASP video presentation stressed the relationship between humans and great apes
Contact:
Johannes Refisch | johannes.refisch@unep.org
More Information:
www.un-grasp.org
www.cms.int/gorilla/en
International Icons: How Sharks Shape Lives Across the GlobePresented by Marine Wildlife Watch of the Philippines, Save Philippines Seas and the Pew Charitable Trusts
This side event, moderated by Anna Oposa, Save Philippine Seas, showcased the importance of whale sharks in the Philippines, focusing on the ecotourism activities around the species in Donsol, and highlighted the other shark and ray proposals for listing in the CMS Appendices in COP12.
Josephine Alcantara-Cruz, Mayor of Donsol, Philippines, described how the town of Donsol has been transformed over a period of 20 years from a “sleeping town” into a vibrant, international eco-tourism destination, contributing almost half a billion pesos to the national economy and transforming local livelihoods. She underscored main challenges, including limited resources, relevant legislation development and adaptation to climate change, emphasizing that intensive local conservation efforts are inadequate since the species is migratory. Alcantara-Cruz urged the international community to help protect this iconic species, including its uplisting to CMS Appendix I and introduced a video ‘Migratory Sharks: Sustaining Communities Globally,’ which portrayed the interactions between whale sharks and humans.
KerriLynn Miller, The Pew Charitable Trusts, introduced other shark species in need of global cooperation and management, and addressed the angel shark, the white spotted wedgefish, the common guitarfish, the blue shark and the dusky shark, proposed for listing in the CMS Appendices.
Danny Rueda Córdova, Galapagos National Park, Ecuador, presented research on the hammerhead, Galapagos, silky, blacktip and tiger sharks in the Galapagos region, both in the national park and beyond, including defining their routes to allow for management decisions.
Julia Cordero, Ministry of Environment, Ecuador, presented research on the oceanic manta rays in the region. Noting the importance of the Plata Island, which presents the biggest congregation of oceanic manta rays with 2,600 individuals, she addressed research activities, inter alia: photo laser identification; tagging with telemetry; studies of reproductive behaviour and eating habits; and mapping of movements, including through the installation of acoustic devices.
A video discussing the importance of sharks is shown during the event
Addressing the conservation of shark and rays as a global priority, KerriLynn Miller, The Pew Charitable Trusts, stressed that “their future is our future.”
Stressing that poverty rates in Donsol dropped from 67% to 40% as a result of ecotourism, Josephine Alcantara-Cruz, Mayor of Donsol, Philippines, emphasized that she “cannot imagine when the whale shark will no longer visit us.”
Focusing on the oceanic manta ray, Julia Cordero, Ministry of Environment, Ecuador, urged the international community to increase the efforts for its protection.
Danny Rueda Córdova, Galapagos National Park, Ecuador, emphasized the importance of studying the movement and routes of shark species.
Contact:
Anna Oposa (Moderator) | annaoposa@gmail.com
More Information:
www.cms.int/sharks
mwwphilippines.org,
www.savephilippineseas.org
www.iucnssg.org
Single Species Action Plans for Migratory Waterbirds in the East Asian-Australasian FlywayPresented by the Government of Australia, BirdLife Australia, BirdLife International, and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP)
This session, moderated by Stephen Garnett, CMS Scientific Councillor for Birds, Australia, centered on: sharing experience and knowledge from the implementation of existing migratory waterbird single species action plans (SSAPs) in the EAAF; and galvanizing action and coordination of the continued implementation of SSAPs in range states.
Tomoko Ichikawa, EAAFP, presented four SSAPs on: spoon-billed sandpiper; black-faced spoonbill; Chinese crested tern; and Siberian crane. She stressed that the SSAPs have been successful in bringing together range states and other partners to address species-specific challenges.
Ruth Cromie, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, presented the Baer’s pochard SSAP, and underlined major threats, including habitat loss and unsustainable harvesting due to: poisoning; inadequate site protection and management; bycatch in fishing nets; lack of public awareness; and excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers. She urged CMS parties to adopt its action plan during CMS COP12.
Mark Carey, Department of the Environment and Energy, Australia, explained that the Far Eastern curlew SSAP aims to: restore its population to a positive growth rate for at least three generations; support research and monitoring of climate change impacts; and assess the risk of disturbance impacts.
In the ensuing discussion, moderated by Connie Warren, BirdLife Australia, participants discussed: the value of SSAPs as opposed to habitat-based action plans; the SSAP approach as a tool to raise awareness at the political level; and the African-Eurasian Vultures Multi-species Action Plan for bringing together range states with a set of single species action plans.
Panel speakers (L-R): Tomoko Ichikawa, EAAFP; Ruth Cromie, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust; Mark Carey, Department of the Environment and Energy, Australia; Evgeny Syroechkovskiy, Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology, Russia; and Nicola Crockford, BirdLife International
Tomoko Ichikawa, EAAFP, noted the SSAPs are important instruments for implementing coordinated measures to restore and maintain migratory waterbird species in favorable conservation status.
Mark Carey, Department of the Environment and Energy, Government of Australia, said the Far Eastern Curlew Task Force supports range states in developing national action plans.
Ruth Cromie, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, said, “What we need is individual commitment to improve coordination on conserving waterbirds.”
Participants engage in an interactive dialogue
Contact:
Connie Warren | connie.warren@birdlife.org.au
More Information:
www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/migratory-species/migratory-birds
www.birdlife.org.au/
http://www.birdlife.org/
http://www.eaaflyway.net/
Protecting Migratory Species in the Middle East and North Africa RegionPresented by the Government of the United Arab Emirates and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
This event, moderated by Matt Collis, IFAW, focused on the activities carried out by IFAW and various governments in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) to conserve migratory species.
Nahla Alnoobi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), summarized national efforts to protect migratory species, with 43 protected areas and various agreements for conservation, including joining CMS last year. She said efforts have focused on capacity building and awareness raising campaigns, including addressing passengers at national airports and youth empowerment campaigns.
Ralf Sonntag, IFAW, talked about their work in the MENA region, particularly on sharks, noting that 51% of all species are endangered. He said including them in CITES or CMS is not enough and, noting IFAW support, stressed that actions need to be implemented.
Akram Darwich, IFAW, said they are working in MENA to reduce the trade of illegal species, because the region is both a trade and migration bottleneck, attracting illegal hunters, who use these routes to achieve illegal trade. He said that education and awareness campaigns can help reduce these pressures.
Matt Collis, IFAW, closed the session by giving an overview of their global work. He said they aim to work across the chain of wildlife crime, including source and transit countries to maximize their impact, and gave examples of the breadth of projects and how they relate to CMS.
View of the room during the event
Ralf Sonntag, IFAW, highlighted shark killing as “a huge problem,” and emphasized working together internationally and adopting the shark proposals.
Nahla Alnoobi, UAE, noted her country’s focus on capacity building, including more than 40 workshops and special training courses on biodiversity.
Akram Darwich, IFAW, underscored that education programmes can empower people to take positive action towards animals.
Contact:
Matt Collis (IFAW) | mcollis@ifaw.org
More Information:
www.ifaw.org/international/about-ifaw
Around the Venue
Erik Solheim, Executive Director, UN Environment
Delegates speak informally
Bradnee Chambers, CMS Executive Secretary, speaks with delegates