Event Report
17–19 December 2011 Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Global Launching of the
United Nations Decade on Biodiversity
2011–2020
Prepared by the United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace
May 2012
Participants observe a traditional community
agricultural site at Shiroyonesenmaida Rice
Terraces, Noto.
Contents
EVENT REPORT
17–19 DECEMBER 2011 KANAZAWA, ISHIKAWA, JAPAN
Global Launching of the
United Nations Decade on Biodiversity
2011–2020
Prepared by the United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace
?? March 2012
3
Executive Summary
4
Background
5
Event Programme
10 Three-day Event Report
Prepared by the United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace
Event Report
Global Launching of the
United Nations Decade on Biodiversity
2011–2020
10 Day 1 (17 December 2011)
10 Event 1: Commemorative Ceremony
17 Event 2: Reception
18 Day 2 (18 December 2011)
Acknowledgements
The United Nations University would
like to express our gratitude to the
Ministry of the Environment Japan and
the Secretariat for the Convention on
Biological Diversity for their generous
support in the organization of this event.
We would also like to acknowledge
the contributions of the participants
by their attendance, to which we are
grateful. By providing us with their
expertise and experience it has not
only made the event a success, but has
demonstrated the global commitment
to conserve biodiversity.
18 Event 1: International Workshop:
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans
28 Workshop Participants
29 Event 2: Commemorative Forum
30 Day 3 (19 December 2011)
31 Excursion 1: Noto
31 Excursion 2: Kaga
31 Excursion 3: Kanazawa
31Excursion 4: Kanazawa
This report was prepared by:
United Nations University
Institute for Sustainability and Peace
5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo 150-8925, Japan
Tel: +81-3-5467-1212
Fax: +81-3-3499-2828
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://isp.unu.edu
Please visit the above website for
proceedings in both English and
Japanese, as well as electronic versions
of the presentations.
1
EVENT PROGRAMME
Participants observe an example of a green
economy business model through effective
local management of natural resources.
Abbreviations and Acronyms
ABS
Access and Benefit Sharing
CBD
Convention on Biological Diversity
COP
Conference of the Parties
EU European Union
GEF Global Environment Facility
GIAHS
Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems
MEAs
Millennium Ecosystem Assessments
NBSAP
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
SBSTTA
Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice
TEEB
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity
UNDB
United Nations Decade on Biodiversity
UNGA
United Nations General Assembly
UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme
UNU
United Nations University
2
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Executive Summary
A vision of a future life in harmony with nature is possible if
the world takes action now. The United Nations Decade on
Biodiversity (UNDB) was launched in Kanazawa, Japan, on 17
December 2011, in a commemorative ceremony organized by
the United Nations University (UNU), in collaboration with
the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, Kanazawa City,
Ishikawa Prefecture, and the Secretariat of the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD).
The global launch of the United Nations Decade on
Biodiversity counted on the participation of United Nations
agencies, Parties to CBD, and representatives of all levels of
government in Japan. The three-day event also included a
workshop on National Biodiversity Strategies and Action
Plans (NBSAPs), a commemorative forum, and excursions.
The idea of declaring 2011-2020 to be the United Nations
Decade on Biodiversity was initiated by Japan and endorsed
at the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP),
held in Nagoya, Japan, in October 2010. It was then formally
proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly at its
65th session. The UNDB builds on the achievements of the
successful celebration of the 2010 International Year of
Biodiversity. It aims to implement the first Aichi Biodiversity
Target of the Strategic Plan on Biodiversity 2011-20201,
namely to ensure that by 2020 all the people of the world will
be aware of biodiversity and its value.
The events opened with a commemorative ceremony with
over 600 people in attendance, with speeches from various
international organizations.
At the welcome reception, the Ishikawa Declaration was
introduced to promote “living in harmony with nature”,
the concept of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and concrete
actions to achieve these targets in the international community on the occasion of Rio+20 in collaboration with
other stakeholders.
On 18 December, the second day of the event, an all-day
international workshop on NBSAPs was held with over 60
participants from United Nations organizations, government
officials, host countries of NBSAP regional workshops, the
representative of the President of COP 11, the Secretariat of
CBD, Bureau members of CBD/COP, Bureau members of the
Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological
Advice (SBSTTA), academics, NGOs, and the private sector
in attendance. The three sessions consisted of presentations
followed by discussions on the following topics: “Preparation
and updating of NBSAPs in line with the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity 2011–2020”, “Effective Means for Mainstreaming
NBSAPs”, and “Enhancing International Cooperation on
Biodiversity and the Satoyama Initiative”. A commemorative
forum to raise awareness of and encourage participation in
biodiversity was also held in the morning.
On 19 December, the final day of the event, excursions
to various sites in Ishikawa Prefecture were held to provide
examples of Japanese efforts towards biodiversity conservation, sustainable usage of natural resources, green economy
business models, and traditional Japanese methods for living in harmony with nature such as satoyama and satoumi.
Highlights of the excursions were the Shiroyonesenmaida
Rice Terraces in Noto, which along with Sado were the
first sites this year in Japan to be designated as a Globally
Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) site;
Ishikawa Zoo, which is one of four crested-ibis-breeding sites
in Japan for this endangered species; and Kamoike, which is
a wintering spot for waterfowl that has been registered under
the Ramsar Convention.
During the three days of events, major recurring themes
were recognition of developing diverse NBSAPs among
countries and the need for cooperation, the integration of
biodiversity into development policy that also takes into
account local communities’ needs and stimulates action at
the local level, advancement of understanding of the green
economy, with the engagement of all sectors, and spreading
public awareness of this pressing issue. Since the next 10 years
will define the future state of biodiversity on Earth, the next
decade will be crucial for preventing the permanent loss of
many species of life on Earth. The time to act is now, and the
protection of biodiversity can only be truly realized with the
active participation of each and every one of us. UNU and our
partners will continue in our efforts of to contribute to the
protection of biodiversity though our various research and
education activities.
1. Biological diversity underpins ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services essential for human wellbeing. It provides for food security, human health, and clean air and water; it contributes to local livelihoods and economic development, and is essential for the achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals, including poverty reduction. In addition, it is a central component of many belief systems, worldviews, and identities. Yet despite its fundamental importance, biodiversity continues to be lost. It is against this backdrop that the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, in 2010 in Nagoya,
Japan, adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 with the purpose of inspiring broad-based action in support of biodiversity over the next decade
by all countries and stakeholders.
The Strategic Plan comprises a shared vision, mission, strategic goals, and 20 ambitious yet achievable targets, collectively known as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The Strategic Plan serves as a flexible framework for the establishment of national and regional targets and it promotes the coherent and effective implementation of the three
objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
3
BACKGROUND
Background
At the 10th meeting of the Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD/COP 10)‒Biodiversity Summit,
held in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, many important decisions, inter alia, the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020
and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and
the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their
Utilization (ABS)1, were adopted to provide the foundation
for taking action to halt biodiversity loss and sustaining the
ecosystems of the Earth. CBD/COP 10 also invited the UN
General Assembly (UNGA) to consider declaring 2011–2020
to be the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNDB)
to promote implementation of these decisions. In proposing
UNDB, CBD/COP 10 also referred to the importance of
raising public awareness of biodiversity-related issues and the
momentum achieved by the celebration of the International
Year of Biodiversity, whose closing ceremony was conducted
in Kanazawa, Japan in December 2010.
The 65th session of UNGA adopted a resolution that
declared the aim of UNDB to contribute to the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity for the
period 2011–2020, and requested the UN secretary–general
to lead the coordination of the activities for the Decade on
Biodiversity with the support of the Secretariat of CBD and
other biodiversity-related organizations.
Through its role as the “think-tank” of UN organizations,
the research and outreach activities of UNU in the area of
conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, e.g.,
the Satoyama Initiative, has been working closely with the
Secretariat of CBD and the Japanese Government to achieve
the objectives of the Convention. In addition, 2011 is designated as the “International Year of Forests”, and “Biodiversity
and Forests” was the theme of the International Day for
Biological Diversity 2011.
In this context, UNU, in cooperation with the host
country of COP 10, requested the Secretariat to coorganize the global launch of the United Nations Decade
on Biodiversity 2011–2020 in May 2011 not only to
promote public awareness of UNDB but to support developing countries to implement the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity 2011–2020 as requested by the UNGA resolution. However, due to damage caused by Great East Japan
Earthquake and Tsunami, the events were postponed. The
UNDB events were rescheduled for 17–19 December 2011,
and relocated to Ishikawa Prefecture and the Noto area in
Japan. These two areas are significant since the closing of
the International Year for Biological Diversity was held in
Ishikawa Prefecture, and Noto was one of the first areas in
Japan to be designated as a GIAHS.
1 The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization in the Convention on
Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims to share the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way,
including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights to those resources and
to technologies, and by appropriate funding, thereby contributing to the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components. It was
adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity at its 10th meeting on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan. The Nagoya
Protocol will enter into force 90 days after the date of deposit of the 50th instrument of ratification.
4
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
EVENT PROGRAMME
Event Programme
Day 1
17 December 2011
13:00–17:35
Commemorative Ceremony
13:00–13:55
Opening Remarks
Ishikawa Ongakudo, Hougaku Hall
Katsuhiko Yokomitsu, Senior Vice Minister, Ministry of the Environment, Japan
Masanori Tanimoto, Governor, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General, United Nations
(Written message read by Kiyotaka Akasaka Under-Secretary-General,
Department of Public Information, United Nations)
Konrad Osterwalder, Rector, United Nations University
Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity
Monique Barbut, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson, Global Environment Facility
Akira Takamine, Director-General, Hokuriku Regional Agricultural Administration Office,
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan
Hem Pande, Representative of the President of COP11 and Joint Secretary/CBD Primary
Focal Point, Ministry of Environment and Forest, India
Alexander Olbrich, Representative of the President of COP9, and Consul General of
German Consulate General of Osaka-Kobe
MISIA Honorary Ambassador, COP 10 (Video message)
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
5
EVENT PROGRAMME
13:55–14:15
United Nations and International Organizations Commitments
Kiyotaka Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General, Department of Public Information, United
Nations
Tomoko Nishimoto, Director, Division of Regional Cooperation, United Nations
Environment Programme
Parviz Koohafkan, Director, Land and Water Division, Natural Resources Management
and Environment Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Eduardo Mansur, Assistant Director, Reforestation and Forest Management, International
Tropical Timber Organization
14:15–14:40
Domestic Perspectives
Shiro Wakui, Vice-Chairman, Japan Committee for UNDB
Masao Iizuka, Chairman, Japan Forestry Association, and Commissioner of Japanese
Committee on the International Year of Forests
Izumi Washitani, Professor, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University
of Tokyo
Masaru Onishi, President, Japan Airlines
14:40–15:10
Break
15:10–15:40
Keynote Lecture
“On the Intrinsic and Instrumental Values of Biodiversity: An Economist’s Viewpoint”
Kotaro Suzumura, Professor, School of Political Science and Economics, Waseda University
15:45–17:30
Panel Discussion
“How We Can Achieve the ‘Aichi Biodiversity Targets’ through the UNDB”
Moderator: Takeuchi Kazuhiko, Vice-Rector, United Nations University
Presenters/Panellists
Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity
Hem Pande, Representative of the President of COP11 and Joint Secretary/CBD Primary
Focal Point, Ministry of Environment and Forest, India
Shiro Wakui, Vice-Chairman, Japan Committee for UNDB
Masatoshi Sato, Vice-Chairman, Keidannren Committee on Nature Conservation
Masahito Yoshida, President, Japan Committee for IUCN
Joji Cariño, Team Leader, Indigenous Peoples and Biodiversity Programme, Tebtebba
Foundation (Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education)
Comments: Tsunao Watanabe, Director-General, Nature Conservation Bureau,
Ministry of the Environment Japan
17:30–17:35
Closing
Yukiyoshi Yamano, Mayor, Kanazawa City
18:00–19:30
6
Reception
ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa, 3F, Ootori no ma
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
EVENT PROGRAMME
Day 2
18 December 2011
Hotel Kanazawa
9:30–18:00
Workshop: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs)
9:30–9:40
Opening Remarks
Workshop Moderator: Kazuhiko Takeuchi, Vice-Rector, United Nations University
9:40–10:00
Update on Post-CBD/-COP10 Status
David Duthie, Senior Progamme Officer, Division for Implementation and Technical
Support, Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity
10:00–12:00
Session 1: Preparation and updating of NBSAPs in line with the Strategic Plan
for Biodiversity 2011–2020
Moderator: Hem Pande, Joint Secretary/CBD Primary Focal Point, Ministry of Environment
and Forest, India
10:00–10:15
Presentation 1: Japan’s Experience in Revising its NBSAP and
Recent Developments
Naohisa Okuda, Director, Global Biodiversity Strategy Office, Nature Conservation Bureau,
Ministry of the Environment, Japan
10:15–10:30
Presentation 2: Biodiversity NBSAP: India’s Experiences
Hem Pande, Joint Secretary/CBD Primary Focal Point, Ministry of Environment and
Forest, India
10:30–10:45
Presentation 3: NBSAP: Perspectives from the Caribbean-The Case of Grenada
Spencer Thomas, Biodiversity Coordinator, Ministry of Finance and Planning, Grenada
10:45–11:00
Presentation 4: Status of Zambia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plan (NBSAP)
Ignatius Makumba, Chief, Environment and Natural Resources management
Department, Ministry of Tourism and Natural Resources, Zambia
11:00–12:00
Discussion
12:00–13:00
Lunch
13:00–15:00
Session 2: Effective Means for Mainstreaming NBSAPs
Moderator: Joji Cariño, Team Leader, Indigenous Peoples and Biodiversity Programme,
Tebtebba Foundation (Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education)
13:00–13:15
Presentation 1: Fulfilling Global Policy Commitments on Biodiversity,
Indigenous Peoples, and Traditional Knowledge
Joji Cariño, Team Leader, Indigenous Peoples and Biodiversity Programme, Tebtebba
Foundation (Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy Research and Education)
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
7
EVENT PROGRAMME
13:15–13:30
Presentation 2: Post-disaster Rebuilding through the Creation of a Natureharmonious Society
Kazuhiko Takeuchi, Vice-Rector, United Nations University
13:30–13:45
Presentation 3: The European Union’s Biodiversity Strategy to 2020: “Our Life
Insurance-Our Natural Capital”
Thomas Koetz, Policy Officer for International Biodiveristy Governance DirectorateGeneral for the Environment, European Commission
13:45–14:00
Presentation 4: Status of Biodiversity and Possible Areas of Cooperation in
Science and Technology and Biodiversity among the ASEAN Countries
Clarissa Arida, Director, Program Development and Implementation, ASEAN Center for
Biodiversity (ACB)
14:00–15:00
Discussion
15:00–15:15
Break
15:15–17:00
Session 3: Enhancing International Cooperation on Biodiversity and the
Satoyama Initiative
Moderator: Young-Woo Park, United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office
Asia Pacific
15:15–15:30
Presentation 1: Satoyama Initiative and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets
Kazuhiko Takemoto, Senior Fellow and Programme Director, Education, Sustainability and
Ecosystem Assessment Programme, United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies
15:30–15:45
Presentation 2: Potential of Regional Cooperation in the Implementation of the
CBD Strategic Plan
Senka Barudanovic, Chair, Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological
Advice (SBSTTA) / Associate Professor, University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Science, Bosnia and
Herzegovina
15:45–16:00
Presentation 3: Work of UNEP Related to Biodiversity and Socio-ecological
Landscape-based (Satoyama) Initiatives
Young-Woo Park, Regional Director, United Nations Environment Programme Regional Office
Asia Pacific
16:00–17:00
Discussion
17:00–17:30
Break
17:30–18:00
Synthesis and Conclusions
Workshop Moderator: Prof. Kazuhiko Takeuchi, Vice-Rector, UNU
Session 1 Moderator: Hem Pande
Session 2 Moderator: Joji Cariño
Session 3 Moderator: Young-Woo Park
Tsunao Watanabe, Director-General, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the
Environment, Japan
Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity
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Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
EVENT PROGRAMME
Day 2
18 December 2011
10:00–12:00
Commemorative Forum
10:00–10:05
Opening Remarks
Ishikawa Ongakudo, Hougaku Hall
Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity
10:05–10:20
Presentation
Masanori Tanimoto, Governor, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
10:20–10:40
Keynote Lecture
Parviz Koohafkan, Director, Land and Water Division, Natural Resources Management
and Environment Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
10:40–11:50
Panel Discussion
“Satoyama, Satoumi with Crested Ibis and the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity”
Moderator: Shiro Wakui, Vice-Chairman, Japan Committee for UNDB
Panellists
Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity
Parviz Koohafkan, Director, Land and Water Division, Natural Resources Management
and Environment Department, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Koichiro Takano, Mayor, Sado City
Koji Nakamura, Professor, College of Science and Engineering School of Natural System,
Kanazawa University
Anne McDonald, Director, United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies
Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa
Tsunao Watanabe, Director-General, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the
Environment, Japan
Day 3
19 December 2011
Noto, KAGA & Kanazawa
Excursion
Various biodiversity sites and activities within Ishikawa Prefecture were shown and explained.
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
9
DAY 1
1 7 D ecember 2 0 1 1
EVENT REPORT
Ishikawa Ongakudo, Hougaku Hall
Event 1
Commemorative Ceremony
The commemorative ceremony was intended to globally launch the United Nations Decade on
Biodiversity (UNDB) 2011–2020 with support and commitment from United Nations organizations
and government representatives, and to raise awareness of the importance of the roles of the
various actors participating in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020.
Opening Remarks
Katsuhiko Yokomitsu
Senior Vice Minister, Ministry of the
Environment, Japan
I would like to thank all the people of the world for all the
support we received when we were struck by the natural disaster. Although we felt helpless and impotent in the face of
the power of nature, we reiterated the necessities of human
life and our livelihoods, which are supported by biodiversity.
Instead of confronting nature, coexistence between humans
and nature is vital and we have to recognize this fact in Japan.
This much was confirmed at COP 10 last year. One year
has passed, and we have to uphold the Aichi Biodiversity
Targets. We now have the responsibility of making progress
towards these goals, day by day. Resolution, commitment,
and concrete programmes to achieve this goal are necessary.
To achieve a sustainable society and economic circles, governments and all concerned need to exert a concerted effort.
Now, we are gathering in a city with abundant nature, culture,
and tradition. Concrete actions and programmes need to be
started today to coincide with UNDB.
Masanori Tanimoto
Governor, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
I express my heartfelt gratitude for having this city host
this opening. This hall was the very place where the closing
ceremony of the Year of Biodiversity was held. The biodiversity issue is both a global and local issue, and our local
government has to take the lead in providing a solution for
our own citizens who live, work, and derive value from their
10
surroundings, which they know best how to protect. I would
also like to express thanks to the United Nations University
Institute of Advanced Studies.
Satoyama and satoumi are characteristic landscapes in
Ishikawa. We made a strategy for this, and a special unit for
satoyama was created in the local office. We have a 5.5-billionyen fund for satoyama conservation, which will provide
options for using this landscape sustainably. Designated as a
GIAHS, we feel indebted to provide the benefits of satoyama
and satoumi to the next generation.
Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General, United Nations
(Written message read by Kiyotaka Akasaka)
It is essential for all the world’s people to understand not only
the value of biodiversity, but what they can do to protect it.
The global rate of biodiversity loss is unmatched in human
history. Many ecosystems are heading toward a tipping point
beyond which they will not recover. These trends are being
compounded by climate change. This year, the human family
reached seven billion people–a milestone with important
implications for collective wellbeing. Ensuring truly sustainable development for our growing human family depends
on biological diversity and the vital goods and services it offers. While the poor suffer first and worst from biodiversity
loss, all of society stands to lose from this mass extinction.
There are also the opportunity costs: what cures for disease,
and what other useful discoveries, might we never know of
because a habitat is destroyed forever, or land is polluted
beyond all use? For too long, our natural capital has been
seen as an endless reserve, instead of the limited and fragile
resource we now know it to be. Fortunately, it is not too late
to stem the tide. The 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets included
in the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity are ambitious but realistic. But achieving them will require greater
engagement by all relevant actors and partners.
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
DAY 1
Commemorative Ceremony
DAY 2
International Workshop
DAY 3
Excursion
I commend Japan for its leadership in supporting the
Strategic Plan and the Decade. And I thank all who are helping to mobilize global support. Japan Airlines, for example,
which is supporting this event, is making a concerted effort
to raise public awareness. I call on all the Parties to CBD and
to all biodiversity-related conventions, as well as all members
of the United Nations system, the private sector, civil society
groups, and individual citizens and consumers worldwide to
rally to the call of UNDB. Let us work together to live in harmony with nature; let us preserve and wisely manage nature’s
riches for prosperity today and for the future we want.
Kazuhiko Takeuchi
Vice-Rector, United Nations University
I would like to thank the people who have made this event
possible. Educators and others have been promoting various
initiatives for biodiversity. UNU and the Secretariat of CBD
have been continuing this effort and we appreciate Governor
Tanimoto’s support. We are gathered here to launch this opening to UNDB. UNU is also promoting the Satoyama Initiative,
as it was officially adopted at COP 10. In a developed country
like Japan, we highly cherish the value of satoyama and satoumi. In developing nations, too, natural resources are very important for wellbeing and this initiative can act as a model for
others to preserve their natural landscapes. It is essential that
the reconstruction of the affected areas in Tohoku takes into
account satoyama and satoumi so that communities can be
revitalized and the services of production landscapes utilized
sustainably for the benefit of communities. I deeply appreciate
all your support so we can continue this effort in the future.
Ahmed Djoghlaf
Executive Secretary, Convention on
Biological Diversity
Commemorative Ceremony
Culture, environment, and people are closely linked and it is not
until this is recognized that we can conserve biodiversity. Thanks
to Japan, the Japan Biodiversity Fund has been established for
those parties who need help, from Africa and South America,
to translate the global biodiversity targets into national action
plans. I would be grateful if the Minister of the Environment
could please convey to the Government and people of Japan
our gratitude for Japan’s efforts. The most important legal instrument in the fight against biodiversity loss was put into effect
at COP 10. The most important target of Aichi is that by 2020,
all people will understand, and value, biodiversity. I would also
like to extend thanks to the President of Japan Airlines for his
outstanding efforts at public awareness-raising.
The UNDB was launched regionally in many places, including the Republic of Korea. A monk was once asked what
shall be his legacy, to which he replied that it would be “the
small and beautiful things in nature”. We must ensure that life
will continue to be sustained and the planet continue to be
protected, so that it can provide its services to our children.
The global community is beginning a journey of truly outstanding proportions. What we do or fail to do in this decade
will decide what the future of biodiversity will be for us and
future generations.
Monique Barbut
Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson,
Global Environment Facility
I have been impressed with Japan’s resilience and feel confident
that you are on your way to recovering from this disaster. COP
10 marked historical milestones such as adoption of a protocol
on ABS on genetic resources, the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity,
and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The Global Environment
Facility (GEF) is the financial mechanism of UNDB. I am
pleased to inform you that I have just approved the first project
that involves a Japanese company that is interested in finding
a cancer-related chemical in South America. We have established a strong partnership with the Satoyama Initiative, and 3.4
billion dollars has been invested in biodiversity conservation.
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THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
We need to re-brand biodiversity so people will notice and
grasp the issue as well as understanding the consequences
of failure. We need to present biodiversity as a springboard
for economic development, and this way, we can achieve the
critical mass so that the support is there to achieve the Aichi
Biodiversity Targets. We need to do more and we need to do it
differently. Furthermore, gains beyond environmental protection should be realized.
Akira Takamine
Director-General, Hokuriku Regional Agricultural
Administration Office, Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry and Fisheries, Japan
In Japan, satoyama and satoumi are landscapes unique to Japan
that nurture populations and many species. Among them, the
Japanese crested ibis lives in a unique habitat. Japan has 70 per
cent of its land covered in forest. Given the International Year
of Forests, we hope to deepen understanding of sustainable
use, agriculture, fishery, and forestry. The Japanese Ministry
of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries would like to provide
support for these efforts in conserving landscapes. Energy,
water, oceans, food security, and resilience to natural disasters
have significant impacts on biodiversity. We need to create a
link between these issues and concrete positive change.
Hem Pande
Representative of the President, COP 11 and Joint Secretary,
Convention on Biological Diversity Primary Focal Point,
Ministry of Environment and Forests, India
It is an honour for me to represent the Indian Minister for the
Environment and Forests, for whom I will now deliver a message.
I compliment everyone for the global launch of UNDB.
The period from 2011 to 2020 coincides with the Strategic Plan
for Biodiversity adopted at Nagoya. COP 10 is considered to be
the most successful COP, and the next one will be held in India
to update the targets and see how they can be mainstreamed
into national plans. This is also an opportunity to assess the
outcomes of Rio+20. Over-consumptive lifestyles should be a
concern for all of us. Building on these initiatives, we should
be able to raise awareness. Biodiversity deserves a place in
the people’s central consciousness. We will be assessing the
progress and implementation of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets
at COP 11 in India, where I look forward to seeing you all. I
would like to reiterate that India stands committed in its effort
to deal with biodiversity at the global level. It is imperative as
it is linked to livelihoods, with nearly 300,000 people directly
depending on biodiversity for their livelihoods. Therefore, biodiversity plays a critical role between nature and livelihoods.
Alexander Olbrich
Representative of the President of COP 9, and Consul-General of
the German Consulate-General of Osaka-Kobe
I am delighted to be here today at the global launch and
would like to convey the regards of the President of COP 9.
12
UNGA has dedicated the entire decade to biodiversity. While
the financial crisis may be dominating our minds, the cost of
not protecting our environment can only be read in specialist areas. Yet, nature can exacerbate issues such as inequality,
desertification, and threat to livelihoods. Those who believe
we cannot afford nature conservation during times of financial hardship are wrong. Soft political issues like biodiversity
must remain high on the agenda as people must know this is
an important issue for mankind. We are robbing ourselves of
the natural foundation of our economy and wellbeing.
Commitments of the United
Nations and International
Organizations
Kiyotaka Akasaka
Under-Secretary-General, Department of Public Information,
United Nations
As UNDB begins, government and civil society must work
together to make sure that biodiversity is a central part and
concern at Rio+20 next year. Positive momentum is vital
because we have much work to do to reverse the years of negative trends and failed commitments to biodiversity conservation. For example, biodiversity has declined by 30 per cent in
tropical zones. Humans have deforested an area larger than
Argentina since the last Earth Summit, and a wealth of biodiversity has disappeared with it. These life networks provide
us with services for life. The past 10 years have been dubbed
the decade of discovery. From 1999 to 2009, 1,200 new
species were identified in the Amazon Rainforest. Trout was
rediscovered in Yamanashi Prefecture this year. Extinction is
occurring at rates 100 to 1,000 times faster than in the past.
We cannot reverse this, but we can prevent future extinction
right now. We commit to protecting more than eight million
species. Among countries, we have to effectively communicate the Strategic Plan and governments must see the benefits
of biodiversity-friendly policies and practices. Stable ecosystems generate jobs, and the sustainable use of biodiversity is
not an isolated green approach but an indispensable pillar of
sustainable development.
Tomoko Nishimoto
Director, Division of Regional Cooperation,
United Nations Environment Programme
I would first like to express my gratitude to Japan for its leadership in putting biodiversity on the global agenda. Our work
is more important than ever as we now number seven billion
on this planet. The trend of biodiversity loss is rapid and is undermining its capacity to provide goods and services. Many
are born into tough lives in poverty, and we need to look at the
link between poverty alleviation and ecosystem services. The
year 2011 was the costliest year ever for natural disasters and
we must rebuild our socio-ecological landscapes.
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
Eduardo Mansur
Assistant Director, Reforestation and Forest Management,
International Tropical Timber Organization
In Tokyo, in 2010, we signed a memorandum of understanding
with the Secretariat of CBD to see how we could support forest biodiversity. The Aichi Biodiversity Targets are clear steps
and clear targets for biodiversity and forest loss. There are 13
million hectares of forests lost per year. It is important to reverse this, and we have the Aichi Biodiversity Targets to guide
us. The major outputs that we consider important for tropical
biodiversity are: conserving tropical timber production forests
(outside protected areas–published guidelines), buffering protected areas so communities living near can benefit, restoring
forests, and providing safeguards and livelihoods.
There have been three projects launched thanks to
the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)
and the Secretariat of CBD. One example is in the Congo
Basin where we have created educational institutes focusing on safeguarding biodiversity, and using and conserving
forest biodiversity.
Commemorative Ceremony
The Aichi Biodiversity Targets and short-term targets should
be tackled while living in harmony with nature. We have to
seek the mainstreaming of biodiversity actions. With civil
society and the Japanese Government, we proposed actions
towards this goal. People gathered and discussed methods to
achieve these targets. Among them were the ideas of global
partnerships and forest partnerships related to domestic
Japanese forest organizations. Four hundred and eighty
companies participated. We have established these kinds of
networks among stakeholders. Awareness among citizens is
essential so that people can change their habits. And adequate
measurement of this progress is also key.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/1-01.pdf
Masao Iizuka
Chairman of the Japan Forestry Association and Commissioner
of the Japanese Committee on the International Year of Forests
For the past year, members of the domestic committee have
been playing an important role in raising awareness. Thirty
per cent of the archipelago area is forest and it supports livelihoods. Globally, the situation around forests is deteriorating. Therefore, we would like to send the message that good
management of forests is critical. In the past in Japan, large
forests were used for construction, which after World War II
were depleted. However, very positive and active actions have
resulted in an improvement of the forest situation, and forest
stock has now increased. There is a lack of adequate roads for
transportation and the population is ageing. Therefore, we
require good infrastructure for transportation and human
resources. Restoring forests can restore the energy and resilience of Japan.
Izumi Washitani
Professor, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences,
University of Tokyo
Representing the science council, this is a great opportunity
to speak to you all. The Integrative Biology Committee held
a conference on “sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity”, which resulted in a very fruitful discussion. Since the
Earthquake, the national policy and outlook have changed.
The lessons learned and recovery from disaster are now a
central theme for the Japanese Government. Ecosystem
services conservation is not pervasive in Japan, but things are
changing. Wetlands and floodplains need to be restored as
they are a source of biodiversity and can mitigate disasters.
We need a positive dialogue between science and society,
and integrative science should be developed. I would like to
contribute to the integrative sciences for the benefit of biodiversity conservation.
13
DAY 3
Excursion
The battle to reduce biodiversity loss and to achieve the Aichi
Biodiversity Targets is being lost in developing countries. As
managers of ecosystems where they live, farmers have a major
role in managing biodiversity in their areas. In some areas,
the forces of rural poverty, globalization, and the increasing
pressure of industrialization of agriculture has exiled local
people from their livelihoods. Globalization is creating a
distortion of values. We need to go back to our basic values.
Of these values, one is to enhance the sustainability of our
agricultural methods. Cultural diversity mirrors ecological
diversity. Agricultural heritage is not about the past, but about
the future. We need a new impetus for the Aichi Biodiversity
Targets. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of
the United Nations will continue to promote sustainable approaches to food and fisheries that value local communities,
women, youth, and native peoples.
Shiro Wakui
Vice-Chairman, Japan Committee for the United Nations
Decade on Biodiversity
DAY 2
International Workshop
Parviz Koohafkan
Director, Land and Water Division, Natural Resources
Management and Environment Department, Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Domestic Perspectives
DAY 1
Commemorative Ceremony
Creative public policy and smart instruments can deliver
good results in tackling challenges while also growing economies, generating employment, and meeting the targets of the
Biodiversity Strategic Plan. The Economics of Ecosystems and
Biodiversity (TEEB) aims to further understand the value of
biodiversity. We are currently undertaking follow-up processes
of TEEB at the national level. The United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) is strengthening the scientific basis of decision-making through establishing a science policy platform.
UNEP promotes synergistic approaches to Millennium
Ecosystem Assessments (MEAs), as well as to the UN
Environmental Management Group. UNEP is the only agency
that focuses entirely on the environment. The era of the invisibility of nature has to end.
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
Masaru Onishi
President, Japan Airlines
What can we do as the airline of the hosting country? We
have to contribute to awareness of biodiversity. Awareness
enhancement has been one of our activities. We have an
“eco-jet”, which raises awareness via prominent display of the
COP 10 logo. We also contribute by distributing leaflets and
playing a video inside the airplane. We were happy to see the
closing of COP 10; at the same time, the goals are still here to
be achieved and we need to implement our activities. We will
continue our awareness projects. I have started to realize how
humans are being supported by nature. The crested white
crane on the JAL planes promotes awareness.
Airlines also have the potential to carry alien species, and
we want to prevent that. Activities of reporting forest fire discovery are also possible as well as global warming prevention.
This is what we are doing. As people travel, they will experience various scenes of nature, and we would like to aid in that.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/1-02.pdf
Keynote Lecture
“On the Intrinsic and Instrumental Values of
Biodiversity: An Economist’s Viewpoint”
Kotaro Suzumura
Professor, School of Political Science and Economics,
Waseda University
An ethical argument for conserving biodiversity, which is
present in conventional wisdom across various cultures, can
be traced back to the classical golden rule to “do onto others
as you would want them to do unto you”.
The historical path of human development up until now
has been unchanging, but the future path is malleable depending on present actions and decisions. Future generations
should have the right to make use of similar opportunities in
life as the present generation. Since they do not yet exist, they
cannot have a direct voice in current decisions. So, the present
generation has the unilateral responsibility of deciding on the
sustainable allocation of resources on behalf of all future generations. This is akin to the problem of equitable treatment
of an unborn child who has the right to life, but lacks a direct
voice on the decisions made by the parents. In this context,
two important questions stand out: “What is sustainability?”
and “Sustainability of what?”.
It is our contention that the essence of sustainability lies
in the equitable treatment of all generations, present and
future alike, and the focal variable of our analysis should
be their capabilities to function. If we want to treat all generations equitably without knowing the personal identity
of future generations, we should focus not on their utilities
but on the allocation of environmental resources, of which
the future generations will make the best use on their
own responsibility.
14
From this viewpoint, calling for the conservation of biodiversity itself is not enough, as it may be taken to be an act of
self-satisfaction and/or self-righteousness. The intrinsic and
instrumental values of biodiversity in the context of sustainable development of all generations should be clearly identified
with logical coherence as well as universal communicability.
We contend that the most persuasive plea for the conservation
of biodiversity lies in the role of leaving future generations
freedom of choice in pursuit of their own wellbeing.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/1-03.pdf
Panel Discussion
“How We Can Achieve the ‘Aichi
Biodiversity Targets’ through UNDB”
Moderator: Takeuchi Kazuhiko
Vice-Rector, United Nations University
A very strong message was delivered in his keynote address
by Professor Suzumura: we have to preserve environmental
capital for future generations so that we ensure their opportunities to enjoy freedom of choice for their wellbeing.
We adopted short-term and long-term targets at COP 10.
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
DAY 1
Commemorative Ceremony
DAY 2
International Workshop
DAY 3
Excursion
There are several reasons that we were unable to achieve
the 2010 target prior to COP 10. Halting extinctions was
not enough to move society forward to take action, and a
practical strategy was missing considering the consequences
of extinctions. It should be highlighted that during the process of elaborating the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, we tried
to discuss and clarify the reasons for extinctions, actions
to promote restoration of biodiversity, and strategies to
mainstream biodiversity and involve various stakeholders.
Today’s discussion will focus on how to bring in stakeholders to join us and create effective policies in order to reach
the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
Presentation 1
Ahmed Djoghlaf
Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity
There are 175 national reports on the state of biodiversity
available on the CBD website. All of them have confirmed
the historical loss of biodiversity. We asked how governments
implemented plans for the 2010 target. How many people in
the world were aware of the targets? How many have done
something? Thirty per cent of people in Japan responded to a
survey to see if they knew what biodiversity is. Thirty per cent
of Europeans have never heard about biodiversity. Thirty per
cent have heard of it, but do not know what it is. Biodiversity
Commemorative Ceremony
is a scientific word, created by scientists, and people do not
understand it. So, we need to talk about life. This is what
people understand.
People live in front of their computers in a virtual world.
Ninety per cent of children said that their hobby is the
Internet and only 5 per cent said that their hobby is doing
something outside. Some don’t know the difference between
bees, wasps, and flies. How can you protect nature if you do
not know about it?
Presentation 2
Hem Pande
Representative of the President, COP 11 and Joint Secretary,
Convention on Biological Diversity Primary Focal Point,
Ministry of Environment and Forests, India
The strategic goals are to address the underlying causes of
biodiversity loss, reduce direct pressures, safeguard species and
biodiversity, and allow benefits to flow to people. India has assigned ministries and agencies for each target to act within their
jurisdictions towards the targets. However, there is a funding
gap, and substantial funds are required for the targets to be implemented. Official development assistance for climate change
has reached $10 billion and that for biodiversity has reached
$3 billion. But how much is actually needed for biodiversity
conservation? We need more money, but the question remains
as to whether there is the political will to provide it.
15
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
COP 11 in India will consider biodiversity and livelihoods
as well as integration of biodiversity into national planning
and accounting.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/1-05.pdf
Presentation 3
Shiro Wakui
Vice-Chairman, Japan Committee for the United Nations
Decade on Biodiversity
Developing nations have, since the Meiji Restoration, pursued development of the economy. Japan has beautiful land
and nature, but we also have natural disasters. Instead of
trying to conquer nature, we want to coexist with nature and
be humble. Nowadays, we go golfing on weekends, but my
grandparents went to satoyama. There are two tasks: family
wellbeing and community wellbeing. People always believed
that where they lived was the best and they were proud of
where they lived. Two hundred years ago, Japanese merchants
tried to establish benefits not just for themselves, but also
for their communities. This is how business should be conducted. How can we have a balance between local and global
community values? There are challenges, and we face crucial
issues. We should create strong solidarity in coexistence.
Presentation 4
Masatoshi Sato
Vice-Chairman, Keidanren Committee on Nature Conservation
For 19 years, the Keidanren Committee on Nature
Conservation has been financially supporting NGOs’ nature activities. It has funds donated by member companies,
which can be provided to NGOs. Applications from NGOs
are screened, and the selected recipients report to us once a
year. So far, 2.9 billion yen has been donated for many projects over the last 19 years. Examples include restoration of
mangrove forest destroyed by shrimp farming and reintroduction of the crested ibis to satoyama. Reports and newsletters
on Keidanren’s conservation actions are published regularly.
These communications help raise awareness among not only
member companies but also the Japanese business sector in
general. There are many good examples of collaboration with
NGOs such as forest conservation with NGOs, forest supporters, and the Nijumaru Project.
Business today should aim to become a responsible entity
by proactively integrating environmental and social considerations into its strategy and decision-making.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/1-06.pdf
Presentation 5
Masahito Yoshida
Chair, Japan Committee for IUCN (IUCNJ)
We want to ensure the commitment of citizens to UNDB. We
have held an origami-folding campaign where citizens wrote
16
messages, inaugurated the Japan Civil Network for CBD
Advocacy, and published position papers by working groups.
The Aichi Biodiversity Targets mention drivers, pressures, and species extinction. But we have to focus on the
causes, including economic and societal pressures. We have
to nurture human resources. For example, in target 11, not
just particular areas but also their surrounding landscapes
need to be looked at, and whether they are protected or not
needs to be discussed.
IUCNJ launched the Nijumaru (double circle) Project in
2011. By 2020, 20 targets have to be realized. It will be very
difficult to achieve all the targets, but individual teams are focusing on a specific part, and there have been 30 registrations.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/1-07.pdf
Presentation 6
Joji Cariño
Team Leader, Indigenous Peoples and Biodiversity Programme,
Tebtebba Foundation (Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre
for Policy Research and Education)
The future of biodiversity is determined by decisions about
the use and management of resources and ecosystems. Narrow
decision-making processes translate into bad management
of resources. We seek synergized outcomes for biodiversity,
climate change, and poverty eradication. Cultural diversity is
a crucial element in this equation. Education work must face
questions about the relationships between communities and
nature. Indigenous communities can make huge contributions. Conservation cannot exist without people. Traditional
knowledge and community approaches have been undervalued in the mainstream economic system. However, I hope that
in the coming decade these concepts will see increased value.
Comments
Tsunao Watanabe
Director-General, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the
Environment, Japan
The Aichi Biodiversity Targets were established on the
very last day at midnight of COP 10. The proposal of the
declaration of UNDB was first submitted by a Japanese
NGO. As referred to in remarks and discussions, Japanese
local governments, Keidanren, and JAL are all working very
hard to promote the protection of biodiversity. We would
like to achieve a society in harmony with nature. The discussions today highlighted the fact that the actions of different
stakeholders are linked to each other, so biodiversity will be
further protected and regained. It is essential that various
ministries work together towards mainstream biodiversity
in policies. The people of Japan reaffirm that nature not only
provides us with blessings but also brings calamities upon
us. We would like send out a message to the international
community that Japan will pursue a sustainable society in
alignment with nature.
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
Yukiyoshi Yamano
Mayor, Kanazawa City
Kanazawa is grateful for being able to host this event.
Kanazawa is blessed with nature. In just a 20-minute drive
from the city, you can visit the sea, or go skiing in winter. The
lovely ladies on the stage are wearing kimonos with a design
that is traditional to the city. We have gardens and culture and
want to pass this down to other generations.
DAY 2
International Workshop
We often talk about climate change when we discuss the three
Rio Conventions. However, biodiversity has not traditionally
received the same level of attention. We would like to see this
change, and propose a model of coexistence with nature in
view of our ongoing experience of disaster recovery from the
Great East Japan Earthquake. After this session, the Ishikawa
Declaration on Biodiversity will be released as a result of a
citizen-level initiative in which Dr. Wakui, Dr. Yoshida, and
myself are also involved, to showcase the importance of biodiversity toward Rio +20. Although we did not have much time
for discussion today, we have nine more years to implement
activities and see changes.
DAY 1
Commemorative Ceremony
Closing
Kazuhiko Takeuchi
Vice-Rector, United Nations University
DAY 3
Excursion
EVENT 2
Reception
ANA Crowne Plaza Kanazawa, 3F, Ootori no ma
To encourage further dialogue among the participants, a
reception hosted by Ishikawa Prefecture was held after the
commemorative ceremony. As the host country for COP
10, Ishikawa Prefecture showed its support for India, the
host country of COP 11, by wishing for a successful event.
Ishikawa Prefecture also expressed hopes for a fruitful outcome to UNDB to the Secretariat of CBD. Next, the Ishikawa
Declaration, which was drafted by the organization Rio+20
and Biodiversity Japan, was introduced to promote “living in
harmony with nature”, the concept of the Aichi Biodiversity
Targets, and concrete actions to achieve these targets in the
international community on the occasion of Rio+20 in collaboration with other stakeholders. The Ishikawa Declaration
calls on the participants of the Rio+20 Summit, scheduled
Commemorative Ceremony
for June 2012, to give high priority to the biodiversity agenda
and fully integrate the Aichi Biodiversity Targets as an integral part of the Summit’s expected outcomes. The Ishikawa
Declaration follows the official submission in November
2011 by the President of the Conference of the Parties of
the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and its Aichi
Targets to the head of the Secretariat of Rio+20 for inclusion
as part of the expected outcomes of the Summit.
Following comments by participants, various local dishes
were served representing the seasonal cuisine of the region.
Traditional cultural performing arts including lion dancing,
taiko drumming, and folk music entertained the attendees of
the reception throughout the night.
17
DAY 2
1 8 D ecember 2 0 1 1
EVENT REPORT
Hotel Kanazawa
Event 1
International Workshop:
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans
The workshop was intended to discuss better implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
2011–2020 including development and revision of NBSAPs in accordance with the Strategic Plan by
utilizing the knowledge and experience of experts from governments, international organizations,
and scientific institutions.
Opening Remarks
Kazuhiko Takeuchi
Vice-Rector, United Nations University
Gratitude was expressed to all participants for their attendance and contribution to working toward realizing a
society in harmony with nature. Today’s workshop focuses on
NBSAPs. Consensus among countries is critical if we are to
move forward. He mentioned that we should encourage the
global promotion of sociological development and the relationship between people and nature. The result of this session
will be disseminated to various outlets to contribute to the
achievement of CBD and Rio+20. There will be a lot of discussion at Rio+20, and he stressed that we should emphasize
the importance of biodiversity.
Atsuhiro Yoshinaka
Global Coordinator, Secretariat for the
Convention on Biological Diversity
He thanked the co-organizers and welcomed participants to
this workshop. He introduced the fact that the Secretariat
of CBD has been organizing a series of capacity-building
workshops on revising NBSAPs around the world last
year with generous support from Japan, and expressed his
gratitude to all the host countries, partners, and Parties who
sent representatives to them. He also informed us that the
first follow-up workshop was already being held in India for
Asia to be followed by those for other regions. Emphasizing
that the Secretariat will continue to commit to supporting
18
the Parties to implement the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
2011-2020, he hoped for a fruitful discussion and exchange
of experiences and achievements so far made so that we can
understand more clearly what we should do from now on
towards COP 11.
Update on Post-CBD/-COP 10 Status
Presentation 1
Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-20,
Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and National
Implementation–An Update
David Duthie
Senior Programme Officer, Division for
Implementation and Technical Support,
Secretariat for the Convention on
Biological Diversity
A broad overview of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
2011–2020, including information about the Nagoya and
Kuala Lumpur-Nagoya Protocols, was presented. There are
parallel initiatives working with other stakeholders to broaden the scope of the Strategic Plan, not just CBD. The 20 global
targets are the strategic tools that governments are working
with to develop plans for biodiversity. Building on the findings of Global Biodiversity Outlook 3, the new Strategic Plan
has an increased emphasis on indirect drivers of biodiversity
loss and increased flows of benefits from biodiversity and
ecosystem services. National targets are being developed and
embedded into the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action
Plans (NBSAPs), and these will be brought back in COP 11
or 12. Out of 193 Parties, 173 have produced at least one
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
DAY 1
Commemorative Ceremony
DAY 2
International Workshop
DAY 3
Excursion
NBSAP but, to date, few Parties have revised their NBSAPs
to bring them into line with the Strategic Plan. The important
role of GEF as a financial mechanism was emphasized given
that most countries are constrained by resources. The Japan
Biodiversity Fund is fully operational with the first allocation
of funds already received, and a possible second allocation
is currently awaited. The signatures were updated and the
Nagoya Protocol was ratified; as of 30 November 2011, 36
signatures had been received.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/2-01.pdf
1: Preparation and
updating of NBSAPs in line with
the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
2011–2020
session
Moderator: Mr. Hem Pande
Joint Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity Primary
Focal Point, Ministry of Environment and Forests, India
of the National Biodiversity Strategy of Japan and an outline of
the fourth National Biodiversity Strategy which consists of the
strategy and an action plan. Taking into account the global discussion on developing a post-2010 target, it sets short-term targets for 2020 and mid- and long-term targets for 2050, all within
a 100-year perspective. In 2011, Japan took the lead in initiating
the process for revising its recent NBSAP in accordance with
the Aichi Biodiversity Targets adopted at COP 10, while engaging in discussions with experts. In particular, based on their
experiences from the recent disaster, the concept of realizing “a
society in harmony with nature” by taking not a conflictive but
rather a more adaptive approach towards nature is an important perspective of this revision. As a concrete measure, Japan
is also considering designing a new national park with a view
to recovering satoyama and satoumi areas which were damaged
by the disaster. The links among COP 10, the Strategic Plan for
2011-2020, the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and a roadmap for
UNDB were discussed. Next came issues and a timeline for the
revision of Japan’s NBSAPs, which are slated to be completed
before COP 11. The presentation ended with a discussion of the
Sanriku Reconstruction National Park Initiative, the Satoyama
Initiative, and local biodiversity strategies.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/2-02.pdf
Presentation 1
Presentation 2
Japan’s Experience in Revising its NBSAP
and Recent Developments
Biodiversity NBSAP: India’s Experiences
Naohisa Okuda
Director, Global Biodiversity Strategy
Office, Nature Conservation Bureau,
Ministry of Environment, Japan
First, Japan’s Basic Act on Biodiversity, which has legal status
within Japan, was introduced. This was followed by a history
Hem Pande
Joint Secretary, Convention on Biological
Diversity Primary Focal Point, Ministry
of Environment and Forests, India
To set the context for the presentation, a few key facts about
India were first presented: it accounts for 2.4 per cent of the
world’s area, 18 per cent of its population and livestock, and
International Workshop: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans
19
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
8 per cent of its biodiversity, and it contains four out of 24
registered global biodiversity hotspots. Following this was a
summary of the history of India’s NBSAP development which
utilized GEF funds to assist the government. Next was a description of the internal process of drafting and ratifying the
NBSAP, which drew from the National Environment Policy’s
cardinal prescription that human beings are at the centre
of concern for sustainable development and are entitled to
a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature. The
Strategic Plan, which was adopted at COP 10, was discussed
in relation to India’s NBSAP. Finally, updating of the NBSAP
was detailed in the context of challenges and opportunities.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/2-03.pdf
Presentation 3
NBSAP: Perspectives from the Caribbean –
The Case of Grenada
Spencer Thomas
Biodiversity Coordinator, Ministry of
Finance and Planning, Grenada
This presentation was given from an island perspective, since
these regions constitute unique ecosystems which are particularly vulnerable. It took a critical look at NBSAP implementation in the Caribbean, particularly Grenada, with a review of
the status of implementation in the context of crises in politics, food, water, debt, finance, poverty, and the environment.
Furthermore, it delved into the challenges, opportunities, and
prospects for the revised NBSAP in light of developments in
the global environmental infrastructure for small island developing states, particularly climate change negotiations, the
Rio+20 preparatory process and the key Nagoya outcomes of
the ABS Protocol, the Strategic Plan and its Aichi Biodiversity
Targets, and the Resource Mobilization Framework. First was
an overview of Grenada’s NBSAP which has not yet been fully
implemented, and is generally not updated. Following this
was a description of the severe challenges and capacity gaps
such as policy/legislation, institutional/human resources,
and finance/socioeconomics, and links to the wellbeing of
the population. Grenada, whose economy is heavily dependent on tourism, is a biodiversity hotspot but is vulnerable to
natural disasters and is grappling with economic issues. The
importance of environmental governance was stressed given
the massive detrimental impact on the nation from sea level
rise. The presentation ended with a list of key imperatives
which call for concrete action beyond the Aichi Biodiversity
Targets, given the urgency of the situation of island nations.
The overriding conclusion was that revised NBSAP preparation and implementation in the Caribbean can help inform
consumption and production decisions at the local level and
so make a significant advancement in sustainable development as a contribution to UNDB, advance human wellbeing,
and save our planet.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/2-04.pdf
20
Presentation 4
Status of Zambia’s National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
Ignatius Makumba
Chief, Environment and Natural
Resources Management Department,
Ministry of Tourism and Natural
Resources, Zambia
In the Southern African region, four countries have revised
their NBSAPs, and nine countries have completed NBSAPs
which are at various stages of revision. Zambia is endowed
with an abundance of natural resources and fairly rich biological diversity upon which the majority of its population are
dependent for livelihoods. Since the early 1980s, the country
has experienced increasing pressure on its biological resources leading to rapid decline and degradation. In response to
the threats to biodiversity, the Government of the Republic of
Zambia developed NBSAP in 1999. NBSAP is a policy framework that promotes the conservation, management, and
sustainable use of Zambia’s biological resources and the equitable sharing of benefits from these resources by all sectors of
the population. Since the development of NBSAP, attempts
have been made to integrate biodiversity activities into other
sectors, most notably into the national development plan, and
recently into other key sectors.
To set the context for Zambia’s NBSAP, an explanation
of the background, the state of biodiversity, ecosystems,
national parks and forests, threats, and institutional and legal
frameworks was first given. This was followed by an explanation of the process, goals, and objectives of the Zambian
NBSAP. Some outcomes included conservation of the genetic
diversity of traditional crop varieties and their wild relatives,
establishment of a functioning monitoring system, and effective management and utilization of natural resources by
traditional establishments and local communities. Next came
an explanation of NBSAP status in relation to the Strategic
Plan goals, Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and national targets.
The presentation closed with the assessment that the general
implementation of Zambia’s NBSAP has been successful, but
that there are still a number of challenges to overcome.
In particular, some achievements that include the establishment of legal and institution arrangements for biosafety have
been recorded. However, implementation of NBSAP has faced
a number of challenges, particularly inadequate financial and
human resources, lack of comprehensive biodiversity assessments, inadequate involvement of local communities, and lack
of specially qualified personnel.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/2-05.pdf
Discussion
(Q&A from the floor to session speakers)
Q:How are we going to monitor all these targets? What kind of
initiatives is India planning for COP 11 in these science-based
monitoring processes?
A:The measuring methodology is a question that is argued
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
Q: In what areas are the Aichi Biodiversity Targets insufficient?
A: There must be a clear linkage to co-benefits. This will make
the targets realistic. Also, the government has recognized
that the private sector is the right player. We need to send
the right signals to the private sector.
session 2:
Effective Means for
Mainstreaming NBSAPs
Moderator: Ms. Joji Cariño
Team Leader, Indigenous Peoples and Biodiversity
Programme, Tebtebba Foundation (Indigenous Peoples’
International Centre for Policy Research and Education)
Presentation 1
Q: Out of the 20 targets, how many are linked with availability of
resources and how many do not need money?
A:We are funding research into how to mobilize funding.
The Secretariat distributed a resource mobilization strategy, a questionnaire for country needs, and what they
need for each target.
Q:We need to do something different. Some have suggested certain things in this direction, but I want to challenge the panellists with the question of what they would do differently. We
keep hearing about a lack of financial and human resources,
but what is to be done differently?
A:In terms of making decisions, do you mine resources, or
do you protect them? What is the opportunity cost in this
case? During the process of formulating NBSAPs, we need
to consider to what extent we consult local stakeholders
and whether this would be sufficiently representative.
Due to the transboundary nature of ecosystems, we need
regional cooperation.
Fulfilling Global Policy Commitments
on Biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples, and
Traditional Knowledge
Joji Cariño
Team Leader, Indigenous Peoples and
Biodiversity Programme, Tebtebba
Foundation
(Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre
for Policy Research and Education)
Beginning with the linkages of the local, national, and international political arenas, this was followed by a discussion of
the global biodiversity commitments, the COP 10 decision on
the Strategic Plan, relevant targets, and the COP 10 decision
on sustainable use. Furthermore, it was expressed that it is essential that indigenous and local communities are empowered
International Workshop: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans
21
DAY 3
Excursion
Q:What are the institutional and organizational expectations
for the future, like GEF, for specific country situations, from
the perspective of the countries here?
A:On a national level, this is a challenge since political and
financial problems will not disappear. We need to strengthen
institutions and create a link to livelihoods. At the regional
level, we need to strengthen the institutions as well as international cooperation since the problems are similar and a
coordinated response is needed. On a global level, leadership
is lacking. Competitiveness is overshadowing biodiversity
and sustainable development issues. How countries juxtapose themselves regarding trade, etc. is a priority. The divide
between developed and developing countries detracts from
the issues of sustainable development and biodiversity.
Q:What are the weak institutions mentioned in relation to
NBSAP, policies, and legislation? Also, what kind of collaboration is needed, especially inter-ministerial cooperation?
A: Policy comes with legislation, and is managed by different
institutions. Because ministries have different jurisdictions
and priorities, it is hard to bring them together. Biodiversity
should be integrated into society’s policies and needs.
DAY 2
International Workshop
Q: Out of the 20 targets, how many are linked with availability of
resources and how many do not need money?
A:In Japan’s case, the 35 indicators on administrative measures are not scientific. We try to link the scientific and
administrative indicators.
A:Create global indicators and pay countries to fulfil them,
or let countries make their own indicators and find a way
to aggregate them, and convert them into some comparable global indicators.
A:The technical rationale for the strategic plan and Aichi
Biodiversity Targets can be a good resource. Employing
a top-down approach at an international global level
for indicators will take time, so a plan on a lower level is
more prudent. Next year, we will hold fewer, larger workshops. Now, almost everyone has fast IT communication
tools, and there is less need for physical meetings. The
Secretariat of CBD will try to devote more time to direct
support instead of coordinating so many workshops. We
can also create a global database for biodiversity, and link
mentors with those who need support.
A:Durban shows us how difficult it will be to meet the
political commitment. We should communicate with
our people in terms that they can understand, e.g., climate change is hunger, and biodiversity is food. It takes
a long time to get funding, but the real summit happens
at a local level when people are sitting under a tree and
deciding. Therefore, we should consider local action plans.
We should also try to change behaviours such as overconsumption and overfishing, but this will be challenging.
We should forget indicators and start thinking about how
to implement them. At a local level, indicators are not
realistic. We should have as few indicators as possible, and
they must be simple. They should be understandable to
everyone, and should be visually measurable.
DAY 1
Commemorative Ceremony
and complex, but with developing technology, we should
be able to make progress. As for how to measure achievements against every target, we are open to a presentation
on this at COP 11.
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
to play their role in NBSAP implementation, recalling relevant
decisions by the Parties made during the 10th meeting of the
Conference of Parties. Next was an introduction to the significance of and compliance with the Nagoya Protocol on ABS.
The unique situation of the Philippines in drafting ABS legislation included significant legislation on indigenous peoples’
rights, biodiversity, and plant variety protection. Furthermore,
implementation of the ABS legislation takes into account indigenous peoples' initiatives on ABS through strengthening of
customary laws and community protocols. Challenges include
lack of national legislation or policies on indigenous people’s
rights, land tenure, and customary sustainable use. Some of the
proposed ways forward are to secure respect for indigenous
people’s human rights, traditional knowledge, and customary
governance in the national implementation of securing biological diversity, coping with climate change, and developing
sustainable development plans.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/2-06.pdf
Presentation 2
Post-disaster Rebuilding through the
Creation of a Nature-harmonious Society
Kazuhiko Takeuchi
Vice-Rector, United Nations University
The triple disaster of 11 March 2011 brought about an awareness
of both the blessings and threats of nature. Since technological
preventative measures have limitations, they alone cannot be
relied upon. People should also look at socio-economic resilience based on connections with nature to grow. Furthermore,
engineering measures do not always combine with local community lifestyles. Therefore, post-disaster rebuilding should
incorporate means to facilitate construction of a society which
is in harmony with nature. Much of the damage from the disaster exceeds the capacity of existing engineering measures,
and there is thus a need to review them. It has also become
increasingly important to build a greater regional resilience in
a variety of areas including social systems. Efforts should be
focused on mitigating intensive usage of land that is sensitive
to natural disasters and which should be restored to its natural
condition. This could provide an opportunity to contribute to
the creation of a vibrant new community in which people can
enjoy the abundance of nature.
The disaster-affected areas which are rich in natural resources are now facing many problems such as lack of workers
in the agricultural, forestry, and fishery industries, population decline, and ageing of the population. It is necessary to
consider the creation of industry based on natural capital and
change to a compact urban and rural structure. This will contribute to the maintenance and development of natural and
cultural diversity in the region, which is indispensable for a
society in harmony with nature.
There should be a change in the business model to support local economies. An example is the merging of small
fishing villages, and inviting the private sector, while taking
a bottom-up approach. Also of importance is the effective
22
utilization of geothermal energy in Tohoku while preserving
nature. The rebuilding of destroyed communities is taking
place in the highlands in small areas. In the lowlands, affected
areas can be restored as natural wetlands, and local government could pay money to move to other places. Socioecological resilience is important for a nature-harmonious
society. There is a need to develop a new business model
based on natural capital. There should be co-management
of natural resources as a new common sphere among the
private sector, NGOs, and other stakeholders.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/2-07.pdf
Presentation 3
The European Union’s Biodiversity Strategy
to 2020: “Our Life Insurance–
Our Natural Capital”
Thomas Koetz
Policy Officer for International
Biodiversity Governance and
Directorate-General for the Environment,
European Commission
In Europe, almost a quarter of wild species are now threatened with extinction and the majority of ecosystems are
degraded to the point where they are no longer able to deliver
their valuable services. This degradation represents enormous
social and economic losses for the European Union (EU).The
key drivers for biodiversity loss are well known: unsustainable
use, the spread of invasive alien species, climate change . . .
but their impact has increased to such an extent that current
actions to stem biodiversity loss are no longer sufficient.
The need for the strategy of EU arises from the environmental context of the state of biodiversity and ecosystem
services, the economic context of valuation of biodiversity
and ecosystem services, and the political context of expiry of
the 2010 targets as well as adoption of the EU 2050 vision
and 2020 target. The vision of EU is that by 2050, European
Union biodiversity and the ecosystem services it provides–its
natural capital–are protected, valued, and appropriately restored for biodiversity’s intrinsic value and for their essential
contribution to human wellbeing and economic prosperity,
and so that catastrophic changes caused by the loss of biodiversity are avoided.
The targets are similar to the Aichi Biodiversity Targets,
but these had to be agreed upon by EU before coming to COP
10. The strategy includes the policy baseline, key considerations, and the structure of the strategy. The six targets of the
structure are nature conservation, ecosystem restoration and
green infrastructure, “green” agriculture and forestry in EU,
making fishing sustainable, invasive alien species, and global
biodiversity. Implementation of the strategy will be carried
out using a common implementation framework, working
groups, and an integrated framework for monitoring assessment and reporting.
In May 2011, the European Commission adopted a new
strategy that lays down the framework for EU action over the
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
Status of Biodiversity and Possible Areas of
Cooperation in Science and Technology and
Biodiversity among the ASEAN Countries
Clarissa Arida
Director, Programme Development and
Implementation, ASEAN Centre for
Biodiversity
Southeast Asia harbours a wealth of biodiversity which supports over 500 million people. The region covers a land area
of 446 million hectares, of which 43 per cent is covered with
forest, mountainous terrain, and diversified topography with
more than 24,000 islands and a coastline of 173,000 km.
Southeast Asia is a renowned centre of tropical marine biodiversity and has 34 per cent of the world’s 284,000 square kilometres of coral reefs. Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines
are part of the Coral Triangle that is home to 75 per cent of the
world’s reef-building corals. It has three of the 17 megadiverse
countries of the world but has four of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots which are facing serious loss of habitats and species. Out of 64,800 known species, 1,312 are endangered due
to extensive fragmentation and degradation of forests, wildlifehunting for food, habitat change, over-exploitation–particularly the illegal wildlife trade–invasive alien species, pollution,
and climate change. Southeast Asian countries had already
lost a total of 555,587 square kilometres of forests between
1980 and 2007. The region has likewise lost 26 per cent of its
mangrove resources over a 25-year period. The Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has committed to implementing its roadmap towards One ASEAN Community to
sustainably manage its natural resources and biodiversity and
undertake flagship programmes which protect key ecosystems
such as the Heart of Borneo, the Coral Triangle, the Mekong
River, the Sulu-Sulawesi Seas, and the 30 declared ASEAN
Heritage Parks. Progress in reducing biodiversity loss has been
made mainly in conserving the components of biodiversity
particularly in terms of expanding the coverage of protected
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/2-09.pdf
Discussion
(Q&A from the floor to session speakers)
Q: Efficiency is improving, but growth in products and total material and energy throughput is not addressed. Resource efficiency
often addresses the individual, but not growth. Is this an issue?
A: A key EU policy for next the next 10 years is growth policy.
There is an aim to be more efficient with resources. With
this resource efficiency strategy, economic growth is one
side of the coin and management is the other. We want
growth without increasing resource consumption.
Q: Can you comment on replanted versus natural forests?
A: We should not differentiate between natural and planted
forests because secondary forests or semi-natural forests
are very important as a source for biomass, and contribute
to sustainable development.
Q: Do we want indigenous people to lead modern lives and live in
the modern world?
A: Indigenous people have lost control of their lands, resources, and development, and cannot therefore make their own
choices on policy. We should not enforce assimilation, nor
keep them separate from the rest of society. They need options for development. We are looking for “development
with identity” or “self-determined development”. Local
people and organizations should have a seat at the decision table in national and international conferences to give
policy input. With this, we should ensure that not only a
select few representatives, but a wide range of indigenous
people, are given access to processes and policy-making.
We have also been organizing for governments to come
and talk to local people. These measures would facilitate
linkage of global and local communities.
Q: Is there a formal planning process for the national park and
local processes in place to achieve the outline?
A: Relevant ministries collect the measures together, and at
this stage, the process does not involve local governments.
International Workshop: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans
23
DAY 3
Excursion
Presentation 4
DAY 2
International Workshop
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/2-08.pdf
terrestrial and marine areas. However, in terms of addressing
the drivers and threats regarding biodiversity loss, Southeast
Asia has been slow in making progress, particularly in preventing invasive alien species, in assessing and addressing the
impact of climate change on species and ecosystems, and in
abating pollution and exploitation of forests and wetlands.
The ASEAN response involves commitment to implementing its roadmap towards One ASEAN Community to
sustainably manage its natural resources and biodiversity and
undertake flagship programmes which protect key ecosystems.
Progress has been made mainly in conserving the components
of biodiversity, i.e., in terms of expanding the coverage of protected terrestrial and marine areas as well as Heritage Parks.
However, in terms of addressing the drivers and threats regarding biodiversity loss, the ASEAN region remains slow in making progress. Joint research initiatives and other cooperation
could facilitate a greater use of sound science to be used as a
reference for conservation plans and measures.
DAY 1
Commemorative Ceremony
next 10 years in order to meet the 2020 biodiversity headline
target set by EU leaders in March 2010. The strategy is built
around six mutually supportive targets which address the main
drivers of biodiversity loss and aim to reduce the key pressures on nature and ecosystem services in EU. Each target is
further translated into a set of 20 prioritized actions and other
accompanying measures. The strategy will be implemented
through a Common Implementation Framework involving
the European Commission and member states in partnership
with key stakeholders and civil society. It is underpinned by a
solid EU baseline on the state of biodiversity and ecosystems
in Europe which will be used to monitor progress. The EU
will also continue to play an active role, helping to ensure that
the global biodiversity commitments adopted at COP 10 in
Nagoya, Japan in 2010, are met.
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
National governments submit preliminary ideas to the
Central Environment Council, and regional offices exchange some information. Relevant ministries give recommendations to local governments on becoming involved
in the basic plan. From this concept, a more concrete plan
is developed. Plans are submitted to the central office. The
discussion process is open to the public. In one or two
years, there will be a more formal process to establish the
national park.
session 3:
Enhancing International
Cooperation on Biodiversity and
the Satoyama Initiative
Moderator: Dr. Young-Woo Park
Regional Director, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific,
United Nations Environment Programme
Presentation 1
Satoyama Initiative and the Aichi
Biodiversity Targets
Kazuhiko Takemoto
Director, Secretariat of the International Partnership for the
Satoyama Initiative and Senior Fellow and Programme Director,
Education, Sustainability and Ecosystem Assessment Programme,
United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies
The Japan Satoyama Satoumi Assessment defined “satoyama”
and “satoumi” as dynamic mosaics of managed socioecological systems producing a bundle of ecosystem services
for human wellbeing. These two terms fit under the larger
category of “socio-ecological production landscapes”, which
provide the following benefits of contributing to human
wellbeing and livelihoods, contributing to poverty alleviation and MDGs, contributing to climate change mitigation,
maintaining biodiversity, building resilience, contributing to
climate change adaptation, and contributing to achieving the
Aichi Biodiversity Targets. However, they are threatened due
to rural depopulation, ageing population, population growth,
overexploitation, unplanned urbanization, industrialization,
and natural disasters.
The Satoyama Initiative is a global effort to develop societies in harmony with nature, and was recognized at CBD/
COP 10 (Decision X/32) as a useful tool to better understand
and support human-influenced natural environments, or
socio-ecological production landscapes (SEPLs), for the benefit of biodiversity and human wellbeing. The International
Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) was launched
during COP 10 as a platform to achieve the Initiative’s vision. Starting with 51 founding members in October 2010,
today, IPSI has grown to comprise a membership of 105
diverse organizations, including national and local governments, NGOs, indigenous and community organizations,
24
academic institutes, private-sector organizations, and UN
and international organizations. Members are conducting a
wide range of individual and collaborative activities around
the globe to 1) enhance understanding and raise awareness of
the importance of SEPLs, and to 2) promote the maintenance
and the rebuilding of SEPLs. The Satoyama Initiative not only
shares its vision with that of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
2011-2020, namely “living in harmony with nature”, but is
also closely aligned with a number of the Aichi Biodiversity
Targets such as target 11 on area-based approaches, target 14
on ecosystem services, and target 15 on ecosystem resilience.
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/2-10.pdf
Presentation 2
Potential of Regional Cooperation in the
Implementation of the CBD Strategic Plan
Senka Barudanovic
Chair, Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and
Technological Advice (SBSTTA) and Associate Professor,
University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Science, Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Strategic objectives for UNDB include providing a supporting framework for implementation of the Biodiversity
Strategic Plan 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets,
supporting capacity development initiatives that support
implementation of the Convention at the national, regional,
and international levels, and creating a platform to communicate progress in the implementation and achievement of
milestones at the national, regional, and international levels.
The emphasis of the new Strategic Plan is on national implementation. However, concerted actions at the regional level,
which are characterized by similar conditions, similar forms
of biodiversity, and usually similar pressures on biodiversity,
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
Work of UNEP Related to Biodiversity
and Socio-ecological Landscape-based
(Satoyama) Initiatives
Young-Woo Park
Regional Director, Regional Office for
Asia and the Pacific, United Nations
Environment Programme
Challenges faced in the region of Asia and the Pacific include 66 per cent of the world’s poor in the world’s most
densely populated region, 34 per cent of global greenhouse
Q: How can we strengthen international cooperation to strengthen
the Satoyama Initiative?
A: The Satoyama Initiative is about living in harmony with nature, and if the Satoyama Initiative takes a holistic approach,
there will be benefits to both humans and biodiversity.
A: Forest people are poor due to exclusion from the benefits
of the forest. The reason that we joined the Satoyama
Initiative is because the local people are directly benefitting and are involved in stewardship.
Q: How do we minimize the potential risks of the green economy?
A: The green economy is not a replacement for sustainable
development; it is a vehicle to achieve it. We have studies
on how the green economy has revitalized fisheries and
agriculture, so the green economy is not leading to the
commercialization of nature.
A: The green economy is old wine in a new bottle. The green
economy has to address the poorest areas of the globe,
where even basic electricity is lacking.
A: We should consider how to value the non-commercial
value of biodiversity.
A: Many risks from the green economy stem from the commercialization of nature due to the focus on human economies.
A: If we can use NBSAPs to eradicate poverty and enhance
biodiversity, we will then have a green economy that functions from the bottom up, rather than continuing with a
International Workshop: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans
25
DAY 3
Excursion
Presentation 3
Discussion
(Q&A from the floor to session speakers)
DAY 2
International Workshop
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/2-11.pdf
http://isp.unu.edu/news/2011/files/undb/2-12.pdf
DAY 1
Commemorative Ceremony
could give double power to the new Strategic Plan. The thematic programmes of the Convention themselves open many
possibilities, but there are far more found through the crosscutting issues. Good examples of these are definitely regional
indicators and monitoring of biodiversity, but also other
initiatives and programmes such as the Global Taxonomy
Initiative (GTI) and those for invasive alien species.
A new fund for maritime and fisheries policies of EU for
the period 2014-2020 has been proposed. Capacity-building
workshops on NBSAPs are being conducted. Regional cooperation action includes NBSAPs in the region, identifying
common problems in the region, identifying a set of common
goals in the region, identifying common solutions in the
region, identifying regional indicators to monitor the effectiveness of solutions, and establishing a CBD helpdesk for the
region (in the region). Also, it is important to connect people,
especially young people, with nature, as well as to maintain
traditional knowledge which is being lost as the older generations pass away.
gas emissions, and the lowest ecological carrying capacity amongst the world’s regions. To ameliorate this situation,
with specific focus on biodiversity and socio-ecological
landscape services, UNEP focuses on the development of
methodologies and the strengthening of partnerships based
on the promotion of the Ecosystem Approach, valuation of
biodiversity and ecosystem services, development/consolidation of scientific and technical tools, and the development/
implementation of international instruments. Examples of
the activities of UNEP are ecosystem-based adaptation in
mountain ecosystems, creating national and international
protected areas, and valuation of biodiversity and ecosystems,
TEEB, green economy, scientific and technical tools, and
international instruments.
Furthermore, UNEP regards Satoyama as an initiative
that promotes activities consistent with existing fundamental
principles including the ecosystem approach and that ties
economic and non-economic valuation in a holistic manner.
UNEP therefore provides the essential tools, concepts, and legal setting that constitute elements integral to the promotion
of biodiversity and Satoyama-like concepts. In introducing
such elements, the speaker will elaborate on the following:
the UNEP Programme of Work on Ecosystem Management;
examples of ecosystem approach activities; valuation of
biodiversity/ecosystems; support for the development of
scientific & technical tools that are useful for biodiversity
and ecosystem management; and strengthening biodiversityrelated MEAs and promotion of synergistic implementation.
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
primary, staple economy for GDP growth. Governments
themselves are contesting the ownership of forests.
A: We should link satoyama with the green economy. Small
forest communities are becoming very well off. Satoyama
is our baby and it needs our nourishment before it starts
going by itself.
A: The green economy means different things in different
regions. UNEP as a global community could consider
benchmarks, the unit for decision-making, a political or
ecosystem approach, and country-by-country or ecoregion-by-eco-region approach.
Q: Considering the criticism toward the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change (IPCC), what are your thoughts on the
Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity
and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and science policy?
A: IPBES cannot just mirror IPCC because scientific results
were not considered in policy-making in IPCC. We need
policy-relevant mechanisms. We need a mechanism that
drives science into policy frameworks. It is important to
not just create an organization like IPCC, but to actually
influence behaviour at the global level.
A: The definition and distribution of value is important. We
are struggling with finding rules on how to do that. For me,
the question is to find a better way to defend value. In a
classical-economy-based world, it is pushed towards new
ways to get new answers, and this green economy has to do
that. IPBES needs to be different from IPCC. Biodiversity
has knowledge apart from scientific knowledge and cultural and experiential knowledge; it is local, whereas IPCC is
global. It should be policy-relevant, not policy-prescriptive.
Q: Threats have to be addressed. In regards to satoyama and migration, it is not that poor people are leaving, but that people are not
there. The Satoyama Initiative is an opportunity to bring people
back from the cities, but how can we develop an economy?
A: In India, we are paying families in restricted areas to move.
Some of them take the money but are not moving out. In
many areas in India, people live in small villages without
26
electricity, but they are selling their natural resources in big
cities at a high premium. Development has to be accelerated.
A: We can bring some incentive for people who are in the
satoyama area to develop their primary resources. We are
already talking about this with universities, and valuing
non-economic factors.
Synthesis and Conclusions
Session 1 Moderator: Hem Pande
NBSAPs are an unqualified obligation on all the Parties. There
are hurdles, issues, and barriers because of which different
countries are at different stages of development. For developing countries, it is balancing two good things, ecology (environment protection) and economics (growth and development),
for improving the “quality of life” of people and society. This
group had presentations from Japan, India, Grenada, and
Zambia. One important point highlighted by Japan was that
conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity is inter alia
linked to addressing the issues of global warming. The presentation also highlighted the role that is being played by Japan
as COP 10 President. The Nagoya Compact has been outstanding. The challenge now is to set the ball rolling. The first
milestone will be COP 11 in India. The presentation by India
highlighted the challenges before it in balancing development
and the environment. After comprehensive consultations with
all the stakeholders, India unveiled a macro-level strategy on
biodiversity in 1999 and a NBSAP in 2009. Further, improvements in the strategy in line with the Strategic Plan are on their
way, immediately after the Nagoya COP. Parties to CBD are
committed to doing our bit in conserving global biodiversity.
Grenada’s presentation gave us an insight into the Caribbean
which, being in the Tropics, is a global biodiversity hotspot
with an endemism of about 60 per cent. It also brought out the
fact that biodiversity-rich areas in the region are very vulnerable
to climate change and are also low in economic output. There
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
Session 3 Moderator: Young-Woo Park
Session 3 focused on enhancing international cooperation on
biodiversity and the Satoyama Initiative. There were informative presentations on the Satoyama Initiative and the Aichi
Biodiversity Targets, the potential of regional cooperation in
the implementation of the CBD Strategic Plan, and work of
UNEP related to biodiversity and socio-ecological landscapebased (satoyama) initiatives.
Tsunao Watanabe
Director-General, Nature Conservation
Bureau, Ministry of the Environment,
Japan
He expressed his sincere appreciation for the active discussions at this workshop on the key issues for implementation
of the Convention, particularly focusing on the National
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans, as well as gratitude to
the participants for coming here from overseas and various
parts of Japan for their participation, and the staff members
of UNU and the CBD Secretariat for their preparation work.
Considering the current situation of the loss of global
biodiversity, it is people’s responsibility to take urgent and
concrete actions towards the achievement of the Aichi
Biodiversity Targets adopted at COP 10. Japan has initiated
the process for updating our National Biodiversity Strategy
based on the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and plans to complete it by COP 11. In particular, with our experience with the
recent tragic earthquake and the following tsunami disaster,
Japan is discussing a better way of life in harmony with nature.
These considerations will be reflected in the revised National
Strategy and are to be shared with the world.
Furthermore, as the COP 10 President, the Government
of Japan established the Japan Biodiversity Fund to support
Ahmed Djoghlaf
Executive Secretary, Convention on
Biological Diversity
There have been many lessons learned. The revisions of
NBSAPs are to be designed to integrate global targets into the
national situation. No more is it a burden to adopt them. The
Government of Japan has been providing financial support
and instruments to assist developing countries to achieve the
Aichi Targets. The new-generation NBSAPs are to be different. No more are they the duty of one sector or biodiversity
focal point; they are now the responsibility of all. The national
commitment encompasses all ministries and involves all
stakeholders. The first generation was open-ended, but they
are now to be time-bound. He extended his gratitude to the
Government of Japan for what they achieved in Nagoya and
for translating paper into reality. This year, there were many
NBSAP workshops, but this workshop is unique since it was
not organized by CBD, but by UNU and brought together
Bureau members as well as SBSTTA members and others.
The Bureau members have responsibility as representatives of
their regions. He called on participants to push their governments to mainstream biodiversity into policy not only at the
national level, but also at the local level.
Kazuhiko Takeuchi
Vice-Rector, United Nations University
Vice-Rector Takeuchi concluded the workshop by summarizing
examples of lessons learned and best practices and highlighted
the main discussion points. He suggested that a possible way
forward would be to hold a side event during COP 11 which
could be organized by UNU, the Government of Japan, and
other stakeholders to further discuss and focus on these issues.
International Workshop: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans
27
DAY 3
Excursion
A summary of the session on mainstreaming NBSAPs revealed
that there should be efforts to support local communities,
that there is a vision of linking both satoyama and satoumi together, that there is a vision of living in harmony with nature,
that benefits and threats should be considered, that there is a
need for disaster risk reduction, and that the business community needs to be brought in as part of the effort. It is also
worth noting that the vision that EU created before COP 10 is
in line with COP 10. Finally, it is critical to enhance and share
efforts in the ASEAN region and to identify critical areas of
biodiversity for cooperation between countries.
DAY 2
International Workshop
Session 2 Moderator: Joji Cariño
capacity-building activities in developing countries, thereby
contributing to the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity
Targets. Thanks to the efforts of the CBD Secretariat, the
project is making steady progress, and a series of workshops
on updating NBSAPs have already been held in 15 regions
and sub-regions around the world so far, with more than 650
participants from 162 countries.
Today’s workshop was organized building on the results
of these capacity-building workshops held to date, to have
an in-depth dialogue among the key actors involved, so as to
promote further advancement of the project. The following
key issues were emphasized: recognition of diverse ways of
developing NBSAPs among countries and the need for cooperation; the importance of taking actions at the local level; the
need to integrate biodiversity into development policy; and
the need to advance understanding of the “green economy”.
He also mentioned that he hopes participants will take
back the results of this workshop to their country or sector, which will contribute to the achievement of the Aichi
Biodiversity Targets, and ultimately to the realization of a
society in harmony with nature.
DAY 1
Commemorative Ceremony
are quite a few gaps in all-round implementation with valid reasons. He mentioned the necessity of finding an answer to this.
Why are they resource-rich yet poor? The Zambian presentation gave us a glimpse of the position in the southeast African
region. Threats to biodiversity in Zambia include inter alia
deforestation and land-use conflicts. Zambia is on the path of
revising its NBSAP in line with the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
Workshop Participants
Name
Organization
Title
Lely Saima Etegameno
Angula
Ministry of Environment and Tourisms- Directorate of Environmental
Affairs, Government of Namibia
Chief Development Planner
Shinichi Arai
Graduate School of Global Environmental Science Studies, Hokkaido
University
Professor
Clarissa Arida
Program Development and Implementation,
ASEAN Center for Biodiversity
Director
Senka Barudanovic
Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological (SBSTTA),
Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo,
Chair, Associate Professor
Andrew Bignell
External Affairs, Department of Conservation,
Government of New Zealand
Manager
Joji Carino
Tebtebba Foundation
Team Leader
Teppei Dohke
Japan Committee for IUCN
Secretary general
Akram Eissa Darwich
Ministry of state for Environment Affairs, Government of Syria
Counsellor
Ioseb Kartsivadze
Biodiversity Protection Service, Department of Integrated
Environmental Management and Biodiversity, Government of Georgia
Head
Thomas Koetz
Directorate-General for the Environment, European Commission
Policy Officer
Ryo Kohsaka
School of Economics, Graduate School of Nagoya City University,
Associate Professor
Parviz Koohafkan
Land and Water Division, Rural Development Department, FAO
Director
Akira Koshino
Satoyama Creation Office, Environment Division,
Ishikawa Prefecture
Chief Officer
Ignatius Makumba
Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources,
Environment and Natural Resources Management Department,
Government of Zambia
Chief Natural Resources
Management Officer and
CBD NFP
Eduardo Mansur
International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO)
Assistant Director
Monyrak Meng
Department of National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Ministry of
Environment of Cambodia, General Department of Administration for
Nature Conservation and Protection, Government of Cambodia
Deputy Director
Tomoko Nishimoto
Division of Regional Cooperation, UNEP
Director
Hem Pande
Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India
Joint Secretary/CBD Primary
Focal Point
Young-woo Park
Regional Office for Asia Pacific, UNEP (UNEP-ROAP)
Regional Director and
Representative for Asia and
the Pacific
Krishna Chandra Paudel
Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation,
Department of Plant Resources, Government of Nepal
Joint Secretary
Jose Luis Sutera
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade,
Government of Argentina
Counsellor
Kazuhiko Takemoto
Institute of Advanced Studies , United Nations University
Senior Fellow and Program
Director
Spencer Thomas
Ministry of Finance and Planning, Government of Grenada
Biodiversity Coordinator
Izumi Washitani
Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences,
University of Tokyo
Professor
Masahito Yoshida
Japan Committee for IUCN
President
Formacion Antonio
Graduate School of Law, Kyushu University
Assistant
Mary Jane Dela Cruz
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Technical Officer
Hideki Kusakari
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Japan
Secretary General
Wenhua Li
Center for Natural and Cultural Heritage, IGSNRR, CAS, Chinese
Academy of Engineering (CAE)
Director
Observers
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Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
Organization
Title
Hongjun Li
Press and Publication Bureau , Xuanhua District, Zhang Jiakou City
Director
Ikuko Matsumoto
The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
Visiting Research Fellow
Qingwen Min
China Office for FAO/GEF-GIAHS Project IGSNRR, CAS
Professor
Program Associate
Executives President
Youji Natori
UNDB office, Conservation International Japan
Manager
Sana Okayasu
The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
Associate Research Fellow
Kayo Ikeda
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
Tatsuo Kubota
Natural Conservation Section, Nagano prefectural government,
Department of Environment and Nature Conservation
Section Chief
Takeshi Suka
Department of Nature and Environment, Institute for Nature
Conservation, Nagano prefectural government
Chief
Yuko Unoki
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Executive Advisor
Noriko Yasuike
Japan Airlines (JAL)
Manager
Katsuko Kawazoe
Chikushi Environmental Conservation Center
VP
Kazuhiko Takeuchi
United Nations University
Vice Rector
Masahito Kuse
United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace
Senior Research Fellow
Osamu Saito
United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace
Academic Programme
Officer
Ahmed Djoghlaf
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Executive Secretary
Atsuhiro Yoshinaka
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Global Coordinator
David Duthie
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Senior Programme Officer
Kyoko Noda
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Associate Programme
Officer
Tsunao Watanabe
Nature Conservation Bureau , Ministry of the Environment Japan
(MOEJ)
Director General
Naohisa Okuda
Global Biodiversity Strategy Office, Nature Conservation Bureau,
Ministry of the Environment Japan (MOEJ)
Director
Noriko Moriwake
Global Biodiversity Strategy Office, Nature Conservation Bureau,
Ministry of the Environment Japan (MOEJ)
Assistant Director
Mari Yamazaki
Global Biodiversity Strategy Office, Nature Conservation Bureau,
Ministry of the Environment Japan (MOEJ)
Section Chief
Yutaka Tsunetomi
Office for Mainstreaming Biodiversity, Nature Conservation Bureau,
Ministry of the Environment Japan (MOEJ)
Assistant Director
Natsuko Yamashita
Office for Mainstreaming Biodiversity, Nature Conservation Bureau,
Ministry of the Environment Japan (MOEJ)
Environment Research
Official
Ryo Segawa
Hakusan Ranger Office, Chubu Regional Environment Office, Ministry
of the Environment Japan (MOEJ)
Ranger
DAY 3
Excursion
Institute of Advanced Studies , United Nations University
The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
DAY 2
International Workshop
Akane Minohara
Hideyuki Mori
DAY 1
Commemorative Ceremony
Name
Organizers
EVENT 2
Commemorative Forum
Ishikawa Ongakudo, Hougaku Hall
The commemorative forum of the global launch of UNBD aimed to increase citizen's awareness and promote their participation in the regional biodiversity conservation initiatives of the Prefecture as well as to disseminate their importance to
the global community.
International Workshop: National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans
29
DAY 3
1 9 D ecember 2 0 1 1
EVENT REPORT
Noto, KAGA & Kanazawa
Excursion
The excursions were intended to show examples of the 2010 National Biodiversity Strategy of Japan
which includes biodiversity conservation through the management of satoyama, and the GIAHS
recognized the Noto region. The participants chose from four separate excursions in Kaga, Noto,
and Kanazawa. Through these examples, it was intended to support awareness of the importance
of nature conservation in national strategies, promote dissemination of education research activities, and give examples of lessons learned and potential models.
Excursion 1: Noto
Excursion 2: Noto
30
Excursion 2: Kaga
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
THREE-DAY EVENT REPORT
1: Noto
First was Kenroku-en Garden and Kanazawa Castle Park,
where the participants could experience traditional Japanese
culture and nature in the middle of the city. Kanazawa Castle
Park, Kenroku-en Garden, and the surrounding parkland are
called Green Heart and are marked by rich biological diversity.
They supply much animal and plant life around the city. Next
was the D. T. Suzuki Museum, where the participants could
encounter the world of the Buddhist philosopher Daisetsu
Suzuki, and landscape gardens backed by green slopes.
Drawing on Kanazawa’s rich natural beauty, the facility serves
as a venue for human contemplation in a natural setting, and
deftly fuses architecture and nature. Following this was the
Kaga Yuzen Club, where the participants could encounter the
harmony between Kaga Yuzen kimono and natural beauty.
The patterns of Kaga Yuzen emphasize depictions of plants,
flowers, birds, and other natural creatures. The Yuzen kimono
artisan tries to record nature close to us through making Kaga
Yuzen. Lunch was held at Sekitei, where the participants could
experience nature in an ambiance of a traditional Kanazawa
restaurant. They enjoyed a unique Kanazawa cuisine of abundant fresh foods from the sea and hills. The bounty of biodiversity was felt while admiring the traditional Japanese garden.
Kaga
First was a globefish-processing factory in Hakusan City,
where the participants could observe an example of a business model through which effective local management of a
natural resource can enhance the local economy. Next was
Ishikawa Zoo in Nomi City, where participants could observe the efforts to breed and reintroduce the endangered
crested ibis back into its natural habitat. This presented an
opportunity for the breeders and a participant from outside
Japan with a similar government ibis-breeding programme
to share information and experiences and make a connection to further their cooperation in these areas. Lunch was
held in Komatsu City, where participants could sample food
made with seasonal local ingredients. Following this was
a tour of a Japanese sake brewery in Kaga City, where participants could see an example of a business model through
which effective local management of natural resources can
enhance the local economy. The last stop was the Kamoike
Observation Center in Kaga City, where participants could
observe a protected wetland recognized by the Ramsar
Convention which is one of the wintering spots for waterfowl in Japan.
Excursion
The history and traditional beauty nurtured
by Kanazawa’s natural environment
excursion 4:
Kanazawa
Nature animating cuisine and lifestyle
in Kanazawa
First was the Nagamachi Bukeyashiki Samurai Residence Site
where the participants could observe an area once occupied
by middle- and low-ranking samurai of the Kaga Clan and
their families. Next was the Nishi Chaya district, where the
participants could observe one of the three teahouse districts
in Kanazawa. It is still lined with restaurants exuding the
atmosphere of bygone times. Following this was Omicho
Market, where the participants could observe various kinds
of food which are the bounty of the nature in Ishikawa
Prefecture. The variety of traditional foods sold at the market
attests to the environmentally sustainable method of getting
food, and shows the harmony with nature. Lunch was held
at the traditional Japanese restaurant Kinjourou, where the
participants could sense that even very small elements of the
dishes were deliberately designed, and could feel the deep
culture and history raised in the bounty of nature.
31
DAY 3
Excursion
excursion 2:
Kanazawa
DAY 2
International Workshop
First was a sea-cucumber-processing factory in Nanao City,
where the participants could observe an example of a green
economy business model through which effective local
management of a natural resource can be profitable on an
international scale and enhance the local economy. Next
was Nanao Fisherman’s Wharf where the participants could
observe the abundance of sea life on which the local community depends as a source of food and revenue. The area has
become renowned for its seafood, and this successful branding is a source of export revenue as well as tourism. Lunch
was held at Shunran no Sato, where the participants enjoyed
a lunch free of additives made from ingredients grown and
gathered from the area. Through this traditional cuisine, the
importance of biodiversity in the lives of the local population
was demonstrated through their dependence on the natural
resources and ecosystem services provided by the mountains, fields, and waterways of this area. Following this was
a tour of a lacquerware workshop in Wajima City, where the
participants could see local wood and tree resin being crafted
into various lacquerware. This was another example of a
business dependent on the health of the biodiversity in the
area. The last stop was the Shiroyonesenmaida Rice Terraces,
where participants could observe a traditional community
agricultural site.
excursion 3:
DAY 1
Commemorative Ceremony
excursion
ABOUT
2011 marks the start of the United Nations Decade on
Biodiversity. At the Tenth Meeting of the Conference
of the Parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD/COP10) “Biodiversity Summit”, held
in 2010 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, many
important decisions (including the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity 2011–2020) were adopted to provide the
foundation for taking action to halt biodiversity loss
and to sustain the ecosystems of the Earth. Then, in
December of the same year, following the recommendation by COP 10, the 65th Session of the United
Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution
which declared the ten years from 2011 to 2020 as the
“United Nations Decade on Biodiversity” (UNDB), with
the aim of contributing to the implementation of the
Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and achieving the Aichi
Biodiversity Targets. They requested the SecretaryGeneral to lead the coordination of the activities of
the Decade with the support of the secretariat of the
CBD and other biodiversity-related organizations.
The United Nations University, in cooperation with
the Government of Japan which hosted COP10,
then successfully proposed to the Secretariat for
the Convention on Biological Diversity the idea to
host the launching event in Japan. These three days
of events mark the official United Nations global
launch of the UNDB. The aim is to spread awareness
about the importance and loss of biodiversity, and
support developing nations tackling these issues.
In addition, 2011 was designated as the “International
Year of Forests”, and “Biodiversity and Forests” was
the theme of the International Day for Biological
Diversity 2011. Due to their interconnected nature,
biodiversity issues surrounding forestry have been
incorporated into the event.
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
Date:
17-19 December 2011
Venue:
Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan
Organizers:
United Nations University, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Ministry of the
Environment Japan, Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa City
Co-organizers:
Global Environmental Outreach Centre (GEOC), Japan Committee for UNDB, Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Japan
Supported by:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan, Sustainability Science Consortium, Global Environment Facility
Cooperation with:
Japan Airlines
32
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020
Nanao Fisherman’s Wharf has become
renowned for its seafood, and this successful
branding is a source of export revenue as
well as tourism.
Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011–2020
Prepared by the United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace