16 August 2011
UN Secretary-General Circulates Note on Implementation of Rio Conventions
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In preparation of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the UN Secretary-General has circulated a background note on implementation of UN environmental conventions, including the reports submitted by the Secretariats of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

10 August 2011: In preparation of the 66th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), the UN Secretary-General has circulated a background note on the implementation of UN environmental conventions, including the reports submitted by the Secretariats of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

In the circulated advance unedited copy, the UNFCCC Executive Secretary reports on the outcomes of the UN Climate Change Conference held from 29 November-10 December 2010, in Cancun, Mexico, including the Cancun Adaptation Framework, the Technology Mechanism, the Green Climate Fund and the work programme on REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries, as well as conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of carbon stock).

The UNCCD Executive Secretary presents an update on principal activities undertaken in implementation of UNGA resolution 65/160, including: preparations for the high level meeting to be held on 20 September 2011, prior to the opening of the general debate of the 66th session; the second special session of the Committee on Science and Technology and the ninth session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention, held from 16-25 February 2011, in Bonn, Germany, which reviewed the intersessional work related to impact and performance indicators as agreed upon at COP 9; the launch of the UN Decade for Deserts and the Fight Against Desertification and the observance of 2011 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought; and strengthening collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and the other two Rio Conventions.

The CBD Executive Secretary reports on the outcomes of CBD COP 10, held from 18-29 October 2010, in Nagoya, Japan, including: the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Targets, the national implementation of which is being promoted through organization of regional and sub-regional workshops on national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs); the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS), and the GEF project adopted to facilitate its early entry into force; and indicators for monitoring the implementation of the Convention’s strategy for resource mobilization; as well as the outcomes of the fifth meeting of the CBD COP serving as the Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, including the Nagoya – Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress; and developments related to the International Year of Biodiversity and collaboration with other conventions. [Publication: Implementation of United Nations Environmental Conventions. Note by the Secretary-General]

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