9 May 2016
CBD SBI Adopts Recommendations on Actions to Enhance Implementation
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The first meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) adopted 13 recommendations related to: review of progress in implementation; strategic actions to enhance implementation; strengthening support for implementation; and improving the efficiency of the structures and processes of the CBD and its protocols.

CBD8 May 2016: The first meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) adopted 13 recommendations related to: review of progress in implementation; strategic actions to enhance implementation; strengthening support for implementation; and improving the efficiency of the structures and processes of the CBD and its protocols.

The meeting convened from 2-6 May 2016 in Montreal, Canada. The 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 12) established the SBI, to replace the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention. The SBI also provides guidance on the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS).

On review of progress in implementation, the SBI noted with concern that: Aichi Target 17 (for each party to develop and implement a national biodiversity strategy and action plan (NBSAP) was not achieved; Target 10 (on minimizing anthropogenic pressures on coral reefs) was not achieved by its 2015 target date; and limited progress was made towards Aichi Targets 18 (on the Nagoya Protocol) and 14 (on ecosystem services) and in mainstreaming Article 8(j) (on the equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of traditional knowledge and practices). SBI recommends the COP to, inter alia: urge governments to pursue efforts to achieve the Aichi Targets as soon as possible; note that only a minority of the parties have established NBSAPs commensurate with the level of ambition of the Aichi Targets; and urge parties to update their NBSAPs; and recommend that parties, when updating their NBSAPs, consider the indicators for the Strategic Plan and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators.

On biodiversity mainstreaming, SBI recommended strategic actions to mainstream biodiversity within and across sectors at all levels and scales, with particular focus on agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture and tourism. Delegates recognized the linkages between the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, urging governments to ensure the inclusion of biodiversity in the implementation of all relevant SDGs. SBI further recommends that COP 13, inter alia: encourage parties to make use of the FAO’s Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security, as appropriate, to promote secure tenure rights and equitable access to land, fisheries and forests; and encourage parties to implement, as appropriate, cross-sectoral strategies and integrated landscape and seascape management.

SBI recommendations also address, inter alia: capacity building and technical and scientific cooperation; review of progress on the Strategic Plan; the Cartagena Protocol; the Nagoya Protocol; synergies among biodiversity related conventions; resource mobilization; financial mechanisms; and national reporting.

SBI followed the 20th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which convened from 25-30 April 2016. [IISD RS Meeting Summary] [IISD RS Coverage of SBI] [CBD Press Release] [Aichi Targets]


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