22 February 2011: The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) held a regional workshop on biodiversity and finance, in support of the outcomes of the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to the CBD.

The workshop took place in Kinshasa, Rwanda, from 17-18 February 2011. It provided an opportunity for Central African countries’ national focal points for the CBD and GEF to analyze national and regional implications of COP 10 outcomes. Participants stressed their commitment to work towards the early entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) as well as early updating of national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs), as called for in the new CBD Strategic Plan.

Participants observed the need for additional funding and technical assistance in order to achieve the Strategic Plan’s 20 headline targets. They recommended that the UN Secretary-General establish a high-level advisory group on biodiversity and ecosystem services to prepare a report for COP 11. Participants also called for exploring innovative financial solutions, such as a fund for ecosystem restoration. CBD Executive Secretary Ahmed Djoghlaf said the joint meeting demonstrated the two organizations’ commitment to enhancing collaboration, in line with the goal of “One UN for Biodiversity.”

The workshop took place immediately following the GEF’s Central Africa Region Expanded Constituency Workshop (ECW), held from 15-16 February 2011, which brought together national focal points in charge of negotiation and policy development, and those responsible for implementation and financing. [CBD Communiqué: The CBD and the GEF Partnering for Advancing the Nagoya Outcomes at the Regional Level]