7 October 2014: Pacific island countries shared their joint ‘Framework for Nature Conservation and Protected Areas in the Pacific Islands Region 2014-2020′ during an event at the margins of the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 12). The Framework aligns closely with the CBD’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets and National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs).

The development of the Framework originated during a discussion on strengthening support to Parties to meet their CBD objectives, according to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). Over 800 stakeholders then contributed to the Framework’s development at a December 2013 conference in Fiji. Pacific countries endorsed the Framework at SPREP’s 25th Annual Meeting, which took place from 30 September to 3 October 2014 in the Marshall Islands.

The Framework is based on an integrated approach that aims to coordinate biodiversity efforts at regional and national levels throughout the Pacific islands, including through partnerships.

Within the CBD, Fiji and Thailand serve as the Asia-Pacific representatives on the CBD COP Bureau, which provides guidance to the CBD Secretariat during a two-year term. CBD COP 12 elected Fiji’s representative, Eleni Tokaduadua, Fiji Principal Environment Officer, as COP 12 Rapporteur. [SPREP Press Release on Framework] [SPREP Press Release on CBD Bureau] [SPREP Press Release on Global Biodiversity Outlook 4] [IISD RS coverage of CBD COP 12]