28 May 2013: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and other organizations, including the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), and TRAFFIC, have launched a new partnership, called ‘Friends of Target 12,’ aimed at guiding countries towards the achievement of Aichi Biodiversity Target 12 adopted under the CBD in 2010.

The initiative seeks to bring together the knowledge of multiple stakeholders and advise countries on how to better protect species listed under the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Some members of this initiative have already made specific commitments. The global coalition SOS – Save Our Species, initiated by IUCN, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the World Bank will help governments and other institutions direct resources towards conserving threatened species.

The partnership is officially supported by the CBD and currently has 21 partners. Activities may include: sharing experience, initiatives, guidelines and recommendations to enable countries to achieve Target 12; promoting of synergies between organizations and institutions working on species conservation; and promoting the integration of species action plans, strategies and activities into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

Aichi Biodiversity Target 12 has two components: by 2020, prevent the extinction of known threatened species; and improve the conservation status of such threatened species. [CBD Press Release] [CMS Press Release] [IUCN Press Release]