Highlights and images for 17 October 2024

Ensuring that global biodiversity goals are translated into effective action on the ground requires a range of measures, tools, and approaches. The pilot open-ended forum for voluntary country review of implementation, held during the fifth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI 5), provided an open, informal setting for participants to exchange views on the development of national targets and national biodiversity strategies and actions plans (NBSAPs).

Want to dig deeper into today's talks? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.

Three thematic sessions took place throughout the day and addressed:

• the implementation of the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches and the integration of the Protocols and other multilateral environmental agreements into updated NBSAPs;
• national target setting and monitoring; and
• means of implementation, including national biodiversity finance planning and national capacity-building and development planning.

Each thematic session featured contributions by panelists and an open discussion. Panelists shared best practices and lessons learned from national processes on target setting and NBSAP development.

Discussions highlighted, among other issues, opportunities and challenges regarding meaningful participation, including possible formats, incentives, and language and time requirements. Stakeholder mapping was broadly considered a valuable prerequisite for the development of national targets and NBSAPs. Some delegates stressed the role of civil society in building bridges between local communities and government agencies. Others wished to ensure that local communities are not only consulted but included in decision-making. Some drew particular attention to the rights and needs of women and Indigenous Peoples, including regarding land titling and legal recognition of territories.

Inter-institutional coordination and cross-sectoral engagement is necessary for developing achievable targets aligned both with international commitments and national realities, stressed many delegates. Appropriate management structures to ensure synergy building can facilitate involvement of all relevant sectors of government and society, added others, drawing attention to tools and methodologies used at the national level.

Delegates further shared traditional and innovative practices and tools for building capacities and finding the necessary financial resources for biodiversity planning.

In the evening, delegates resumed negotiation mode, as a Friends of the Chair group met to address a draft recommendation on progress in national target setting and updating of NBSAPs.