A major focus was on setting national and regional targets in the framework of the Aichi Targets, including integrating biodiversity into relevant national and local planning processes, resource mobilization for NBSAP implementation, and modalities for the early ratification of the Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization (ABS).
7 July 2011: The regional workshop for Eastern Africa on updating national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) was held from 27-30 June 2011, in Kigali, Rwanda. A parallel seminar on business and biodiversity was held on 30 June.
The workshop was co-organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Rwanda Environment Management Authority and the Secretariat of the East African Community, with the financial support of the Government of Japan. Its aim was to strengthen national capacities for the development, implementation, review, updating and communication of NBSAPs and to contribute to national implementation of the Strategic Plan through the translation of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets into national targets and commitments. Participants from Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda, along with representatives from indigenous and local communities, and international and non-governmental organizations, reviewed findings of the third edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook and the outcomes of the tenth meeting of the CBD Conference of the Parties (COP 10), and discussed the main issues concerning the region’s biodiversity management and how these could be addressed through the review and updating of NBSAPs.
A major focus was on setting national and regional targets in the framework of the Aichi Targets, including integrating biodiversity into relevant national and local planning processes; resource mobilization for NBSAP implementation; and the Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization (ABS), modalities for early ratification and national and regional experiences in implementation of ABS measures and the Protocol.
By the end of the workshop, participants gained experience with a number of new techniques that are essential to the NBSAP revision process as well as how to access GEF financial assistance. One of the conclusions emerging from this workshop was a recommendation to establish a regional platform and network of regional experts to support countries implement the Convention and to facilitate knowledge and expertise exchange across the countries.
The seminar on business and biodiversity with participants from business and non-governmental organizations focused on business and private sector’s role and responsibility [CBD Communiqué][Meeting Documents]