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 In
response to the call issued in the Global Biodiversity Strategy,
the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the World Resources
Institute (WRI), the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP), the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)
and other organizations created the Global Biodiversity Forum
(GBF) to design appropriate mechanisms for promoting analysis,
discussion and debate on key ecological, economic, institutional
and social issues related to the maintenance, sustainable use
and fair and equitable distribution of biological resources.
The purpose of the GBF is to enhance the
development and implementation of the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) and other biodiversity instruments at the
local, national and international levels. These forums complement
intergovernmental processes by offering a wide range of experiences,
perspectives and proposals from interested groups. Forum participants
also seek innovative orientations to enrich national policy and
intersectoral positions; generating cooperation among interested
groups and identifying areas of agreement and points of conflict
on different elements.
The GBF is held just before most of the meetings
of contracting parties to world conventions related with biological
diversity. It offers opportunity for broad participation by diverse
actors, as opposed to most signatory meetings, which limit participation
to international delegations.
To date 12 global biodiversity forums have
been held to support the evolution and effective implementation
of the CBD.
- GBF1-Gland held in October 1993, prior to the first
meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee on the CBD.
- GBF2-Nassau: November 1994, prior to the first CBD
Convention of Parties (COP1)
- GBF3-Jakarta: November 1995, prior to the CBD COP
- GBF4-Montreal: August 1996, prior to the CBD SBSTTA2
- GBF5-Buenos Aires:November 1996, prior to CBD COP3
- GBF6-New York: April 1997, along with a meeting of
the CSD
- GBF7-Harare: June 1997, prior to the CITES COP10
- GBF8-Montreal: August 1997, prior to the CBD SBTTA3
- GBF9-Kyoto: December 1997 during COP3 of the Convention
on Climate Change
- GBF10-Bratislava: May 1998, before the CBD COP4
- GBF11-Buenos Aires: November 1998, before the UNFCCC
COP4
- GBF12-Dakar: December 1998, during the Convention on
Desertification COP2
The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance,
especially as Habitat for Waterfowl (Ramsar, Iran, 1971), an international
treaty generally called the Ramsar Convention, or Wetlands Convention,
is designed to help countries manage their wetlands resources
in order to improve environmental benefits from these ecosystems
and quality of life for inhabitants. The objectives of the Wetlands
Convention are compatible with the Convention on Biodiversity,
and there is close cooperation between the two treaties at all
levels (contracting parties, technical bodies and secretariats.)
In January 1996 the secretariats signed a letter of understanding
by which the technical bodies of both conventions (SBSTTA
and STRP) have established practical working relations.
Given the great biodiversity present in wetlands
ecosystems and the large number of goods and services they provide
(supply of water and primary productivity on which uncountable
species¾ including humans¾ depend), special emphasis
must be placed on the relation between the two treaties. Concerns
shared by the Wetlands Convention and the Convention on Biological
Diversity include:
- identification and monitoring of wetlands
- conservation in-situ
- sustainable use of wetlands components
- raising of public awareness on the importance
of these ecosystems and their components
- fair and equitable distribution of resources
- exchange of information and cooperation
- financing mechanisms
Because of this close relation between the
two conventions, the Ramsar Convention has called for GBF13
to be held in Costa Rica immediately prior to the 7th Meeting
of Contracting Parties (May 7-9, 1999.) GBF13 will focus
on mechanisms for ensuring that the joint work plan of the two
conventions is implemented. This plan was approved at the 4th
meeting of contracting parties to the Convention of Biological
Diversity (May 1998). GBF13 will also try to create synergies
between the Ramsar Convention and other biodiversity-related conventions,
such as the United Nations Convention on Climate Change and the
Convention to Fight Desertification, with respect to topics concerning
conservation of biodiversity in aquatic continental, coastal and
marine ecosystems.
GBF13 is being convoked by the Government
of Costa Rica, the World Conservation Union, the World Resources
Institute, the African Centre for Technology Studies, the United
Nations Environmental Programme, the Biodiversity Network for
Autochthonous Peoples and the Network for Biodiversity Action
(Bionet), in association with the Office of the Ramsar Convention
and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
(SCBD).
This thirteenth GBF meeting is the
first to be held in a developing country in Mesoamerica. It will
be hosted by four IUCN members in Costa Rica: the Centro
Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza
(CATIE), the Centro de Derecho Ambiental de los Recursos
Naturales, (CEDARENA), the Asociación Preservacionista
de Flora y Fauna Silvestre, (APREFLOFAS) and the Asociación
Centro de Capacitación del Noratlántico, (ACECAN).
With the IUCN Regional Office for Mesoamerica (IUCN/Mesoamérica),
all these organizations have made valuable contributions to local
logistical preparations for the event. GBF13 thus represents
a new opportunity for teamwork among the different components
of the Union.
GBF13 has six workshops on different
topics that complement technical issues discussed at the seventh
meeting of Ramsar Convention signatories:
Wetlands and the Private Sector: Analysis
of the role the private sector can play in promoting sustainable
uses of wetlands biodiversity, particularly with respect to the
fishing, tourism, energy and transportation industries. Special
emphasis is given to connections between the private sector and
communities near wetlands in the area of resource conservation.
This workshop is coordinated by CATIE.
Mitigation of Impact from Exotic/Invasive
Species: Plants and animals introduced in wetland areas have
become such a serious problem that some are now inhibiting the
functions of wetlands. One important example in the Mesoamerican
region is the Palo Verde Ramsar site, in Costa Rica. Water surfaces
in this valuable wetland are disappearing as they are overtaken
by cattails (Typha sp.) The workshop examines case studies to
help establish guidelines on identification, risk appraisal, management
of incursions, control programs and effective communication to
prevent and mitigate the impact of exotic/invasive species in
wetlands.
Ecosystem Approach to Rehabilitation:
There are few examples of wetland ecosystems rehabilitation in
Mesoamerica, so this discussion is particularly useful. The workshop
will analyze what orientation signatories of the Ramsar and Biological
Diversity conventions can use in deciding when and where rehabilitation
should be a priority. The workshop will also explore how an ecosystem
approach can provide a guiding framework for rehabilitation under
these conventions and the integration of rehabilitation processes
in national planning and management for the conservation and wise
use of wetlands resources.
Global carbon problem: effective use
and management of peat bogs. Despite their importance in the production
of fossil fuel, peat bogs are not well represented in the Ramsar
List of Wetlands with International Importance. The workshop will
analyze the critical role that could be played by the World Plan
of Action for Peat Bogs in linking the economic and environmental
agendas of the conventions on Climate Change, Wetlands and Biological
Diversity.
Participation by Indigenous Peoples and
Local Communities in Wetlands Management: The workshop will
aim at facilitating dialogue to develop instruments and mechanisms
within the Ramsar Convention to ensure genuine participation by
indigenous peoples and local communities in wetlands management
and recommend actions on this topic by the conference of signatory
parties. Participating in this workshop will be representatives
of indigenous and local peoples from all over the world. In the
case of Central America, these will include two representative
community groups that participated in preparing the" People's
Declaration on Wetlands," read during Ramsar COP7.
Management of Aquatic Resources and World
Change: This is a particularly important theme for the Mesoamerican
region, given the serious environmental, economic and social consequences
of Hurricane Mitch (October 1998). Similarly, IUCN's work
in the Mesoamerican region has shown that management of freshwater
ecosystems is a vital field of action, especially when carried
out by local communities within the context of integrated watershed
management. This workshop will discuss how integrated management
of water resources and wetland ecosystems can help mitigate the
impacts of unsustainable land use practices, patterns of water
consumption and climate change. Ties will also be forged among
the Ramsar Convention, the Biological Diversity Convention and
other environmental instruments such as the Convention on Climate
Change and the Convention to Fight Desertification, which have
made freshwater management a priority. A resolution based on workshop
results was read at Ramsar COP7.
A document was prepared containing the presentations
given at GBF13 and resolutions from each one of the workshops.
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