14
REPORT
Second GTI Coordination Mechanism Meeting
Montreal, Canada
10 November, 2003
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
I. / Opening / 3II. / Development of the process towards the review of the GTI scheduled for COP 8 / 3
III. / Funding for GTI programmes and contribution of GTI to the achievement of the 2010 biodiversity target and other targets / 5
IV. / Opportunities and constraints in the implementation of the GTI / 6
V. / Comments on the GTI guide / 6
VI. /
Other matters
/ 7VII. / Closing session / 7
Annexes 8
Report of the second GTI Coordination Mechanism
I. Opening
1. The second meeting of the GTI Coordination Mechanism took place at the seat of the Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity on 10 November 2003 on the margins of the ninth meeting of the SBSTTA, to advice the Executive Secretary on the Programme of Work (PoW) for the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) and encourage international cooperation for its implementation, as agreed on by the Conference of the Parties in para 1 of decision V/9.
2. Experts from 13 countries (Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, El Salvador, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States of America) as well as representatives of BioNET INTERNATIONAL: the Global Network for Taxonomy, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP), the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, the SBSTTA Bureau, the United Nations Environmental Progamme (UNEP/GEF), and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO-MAB) participated in the meeting. A list of participants is provided in annex I.
3. Mr. Hamdallah Zedan, the Executive Secretary of the CBD, opened the meeting at 7.30 p.m. and welcomed participants on behalf of SCBD. The meeting elected Mr. Christoph Haeuser from GBIF as the Chairman and Mr. Richard Smith of BioNET-INTERNATIONAL as the Rappoteur of the meeting.
4. The provisional agenda (annex 2) was adopted.
II. Development of the Process Towards the Review of the GTI Scheduled for the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties
5. This agenda item was introduced by the Executive Secretary who informed the meeting that the proposed process was focused on reviewing the implementation of existing PoW of the Convention, not the establishment of a new PoW with the exception of a work programme on island Biodiversity, and that according to recommendations of the Inter-sessional Meeting on the Multi-Year Programme of Work for the Convention, the review of the GTI was scheduled for COP 8 in 2006. Following the introduction, the following views and suggestions were presented:
· It was agreed that measurable targets were needed before progress could be evaluated and that it would be possible to establish measurable indicators using the Operational Objectives of the PoW for the GTI .
· With regard to the need to prioritize the Operational Objectives within the PoW for the GTI, some participants suggested that effort and funding should be focused on Operational Objectives 1[1] and especially 3[2], where substantial progress could be achieved with comparatively limited investments. Operational Objective 2[3] would need substantial support especially in Least Developed Countries with massive investments required. Other members of the Coordination Mechanism argued against needs' assessment as a priority as many studies had already been made; rather the focus should be on Operational Objectives 4[4] and 5[5]. Since no agreement was reached on the issue, the matter should be considered further during the next Coordination Mechanism meeting. It was noted however, that those who recognize the need to work in these areas had taken a leading and collaborative role, involving organizations that support the implementation of the GTI PoW. It was likely that many activities under the PoW of thematic and other cross-cutting issues will have made contributions to the GTI and the review would take into account these activities.
· The group was reminded that the GTI would be on the agenda for the tenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body of Scientific Technical and Technological Advice, so the Coordination Mechanism could provide advice on recommendations to the COP, taking into account opportunities for linking with Technology Transfer.
· It was further suggested that the review would require significantly more information than had been provided in National Reports. The use of a questionnaire, a draft version of which has been prepared by the former acting GTI Programme Officer was suggested.
· The Secretariat was requested to foster collaboration among implementing organizations and promote collaborative work on the GTI among Programme Officers of all the thematic areas and cross-cutting issues of the Convention. The Coordination Mechanism could usefully review the PoW of thematic areas and cross-cutting issues to identify fundable GTI components and projects.
· It was further suggested that items under discussion at the ninth meeting of the Subsidiary Body of Scientific Technical and Technological Advice were open to interventions on taxonomic issues. A drafting group to prepare texts for intervention(s), open to all members of the Coordination Mechanism, was scheduled for 11 November, 2003.
· The prepared draft was tabled as SBSTTA chair’s text at the plenary of the ninth meeting of the Subsidiary Body of Scientific Technical and Technological Advice. The recommendations[6] contained in the document would be considered at the seventh meeting of the Conference of Parties in February, 2004.
III. Funding for GTI programmes and contribution of GTI to the achievement of the 2010 biodiversity target and other targets (e.g. MDGs)
6. Under this agenda item, the following contributions were made:
· The lack of funding for the PoW for the GTI was discussed. It was noted that satisfactory contributions from the GTI to the achievement of the 2010 biodiversity target were dependent on availability of adequate funding. It was also noted that while the needs for significantly increasing taxonomic capacities are considerable, several GEF projects already had supported taxonomy and that the GEF interpretation of the guidance it had received was that taxonomy was strictly a means to realizing CBD objectives, but not an end in itself. The meeting was informed about projects funded by GEF that had taxonomic components, for example, a Costa Rican GEF project which focused among other subjects on pollinators (ecosystem services), fungi (bioprospecting), beetles (bio and pest control) and Diptera (disease transmission). Also, other (non biodiversity targeted) GEF funding areas sometimes include major taxonomic components, e.g. a Lake Victoria project spent millions on taxonomic work. It was further noted that perhaps many countries were not interested in the GTI. Where countries do prioritize taxonomy, generally speaking GEF was supportive. The GEF has also supported several regional and sub regional GTI-related projects, for example SABONET in South Africa and BOZONET in East Africa.
· GEF Implementing Agencies normally prioritize within their biodiversity portfolios and stand alone taxonomy projects were rarely selected. It was also noted that it can be difficult identifying any one set of country priorities. Coordination Mechanism members were invited to test the GEF by assisting with the preparation of proposals that choose a taxa that needs global work, identify an institute that is a global leader and likely to receive national support. One suggestion for increasing GEF support for taxonomy was for GEF to reject proposals that lack a taxonomic component. Participants were advised that this would be a role of Implementing Agencies, not the GEF Secretariat.
· A multi-donor conference for GTI involving the GEF was proposed. The Smithsonian Institution confirmed its offer made in February 2002 in Paris to host a meeting for this purpose, but noted that extensive preparation would be needed.
· Seeking of agreements to match the funding being provided by Government agencies and Foundations for taxonomic work in the USA, EU etc. with investment in taxonomy as a means to achieving CBD objectives was also proposed.
· The Secretariat could not approach funding organizations like the UN Foundation directly for matching funds to support ongoing activities. However, the Secretariat could discuss the idea with the Foundation in general terms, and possibly mediate proposals. Only countries can approach the UN Foundation directly.
· A small grants programme, such as the "seed money” offered by GBIF, was suggested for the GTI. However, it was noted that the Secretariat did not itself have the authority to administer such a programme. The Coordination Mechanism members also learnt that the Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF) won support from GEF for supporting workshops but it was one of the very few exceptions to normal GEF procedures.
· Suggestions for the formation of a GEF Enabling Activity specifically for GTI was made noting that the minimal funds needed to undertake a national needs assessment over two years would be US $ - 30,000. Members of the Coordination Mechanism were advised that existing GEF Enabling Activity funds can be used for taxonomic needs assessments if countries prioritize it.
IV. Opportunities and Constraints in the Implementation of the GTI.
7. Members agreed that constraints to the implementation of the PoW for the GTI included the lack of awareness and action among some CBD and GTI national Focal Points. A total of 45 GTI Focal Points out of the expected 188 national Focal Points have been designated. The need for guidance and lobbying of CBD and GTI Focal Points to become more involved in implementing the GTI PoW was noted. More Parties need to appoint GTI Focal Points and those Focal Points that exist could benefit from suggestions for promoting action in support of the GTI PoW. Continued lobbying of the taxonomic community, such as already undertaken by BioNET-International would also be required, so that working taxonomists may approach their CBD national Focal Points, offering their support in establishing GTI national Focal Points. The meeting identified the need for developing a list of suggested Focal Point activities based on the draft Guide to the GTI, and a 2-3-page template to be posted on the web page. BioNET INTERNATIONAL and the German GTI Focal Point offered to expand the list and circulate the revised draft for comments from other members of the Coordination Mechanism. It was also noted that the capacity building targets in the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation included good opportunities for cross linkages with the GTI PoW.
V. Comments on the GTI Guide
8. The Executive Secretary expressed sincere thanks to Dr Christopher Lyal, former acting GTI Programme Officer, for preparing the draft GTI Guide (contained in the note by the Executive Secretary as the draft guide to the GTI[7]) . It was brought to the attention of members by the Secretariat that the Guide needed to be made more user-friendly specifically for policy makers. Participants were invited to provide comments on the draft so that the Guide can be finalized and considered first at COP 7 and further at the tenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body of Scientific Technical and Technological Advice. It was agreed to submit comments to the GTI Programme Officer within a month (by 10 December, 2003). It was suggested that some short case studies demonstrating the relevance of taxonomy should be included for each activity, possibly making use of the case studies being compiled by the German GTI Focal Point and BioNET-INTERNATIONAL and already available on the respective websites. Some members stressed that the draft Guide was too long and not suitable for raising public awareness in the form in which it had been presented. Other members suggested that there was a great need for both types of products – the Guide more or less in the comprehensive form it had been presented, as well as a more condensed, abbreviated product. Participants were informed that the Natural Science Collection Alliance (NSCA) would launch a web site about the importance of taxonomy in November 2003.
VI. Other Matters
9. Under this agenda item, the following suggestions and views were expressed:
· There was concern over the lack of Terms of Reference (TOR) for membership of the Coordination Mechanism and it was agreed that membership would be reviewed on an annual basis. The TOR for the Informal Advisory Committee (IAC) of the Clearing House Mechanism could serve as a template for the GTI Coordination Mechanism. The Executive Secretary advised that the SBSTTA Bureau would need to be consulted and that it was essential to target participation of those who actually want to contribute to the deliberations of the Coordination Mechanism. Participants were requested to submit nominations and / or confirm their availability to participate in the deliberations of the Coordination Mechanism by the end of November.
· Participation in the Coordination Mechanism will never be adequately representative in the absence of adequate funding and it was proposed that future meetings try to make use of information technologies such as tele or video conferencing in order to reduce meeting costs.
· It was agreed that the third meeting of the GTI Coordination Mechanism would be held on the margins of the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties in February 2004 in Kuala Lumpur.
VII. Closing Session
10. The Executive Secretary thanked the chair of the meeting and the rapporteur, and all the participants for their contributions. The meeting was closed at 11.20 p.m.
Annex 1: List of participants
Prof. Alfred A. Oteng Yeboah
Deputy Director-General
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
P.O. Box M 32
Accra
Ghana
Tel: +233 21 77 43 80/ (cell) +233 24 772256
Fax: +233 21 77 7655
E-mail:
1. / ASIA
2. / Dr. Kongkanda Chayamarit
Curator of the Forest Herbarium
National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department
Natural Resources Conservation Office/Royal Forest Department
61 Phahonyothin Road – Chatuchak
Bangkok 10900
Thailand
Tel: + 66-256-14-292, ext. 465
Fax: +66-2-561-48-24
E-Mail:
3. / Dr Junko Shimura
GTI National Focal Point
National Institute for Environmental Studies,
16-2 Onogawa, Tsukuba,
Ibaraki, 305-8506
Japan
Tel.:+81-29-850-2472
Fax:+81-29-850-2778
Email:
4. / CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
5.
6. / Dr. Hristo Bojinov
Director of National Nature Protection Service
Ministry of Environment and Water
67 William Gladstone Str.
Sofia 1000
Bulgaria
Tel: +359 2 940 65 41
Fax: +359 2 980 9641
E-Mail:
7. / Dr. Alexander Shestakov
Environmental Law Officer, WWF Russia
Department of Environmental Management, Institute of Geography
Russian Academy of Sciences
Moscow 109240
Russian Federation
Tel: +7 095 727 0939
Fax: +7 095 727 0938
E-mail:
8. / LATIN AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN
9. / Dr. Jorge Ernesto Quezada Díaz
Gerente de Recursos Biológicos
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
San Salvador, El Salvador
Kilómetro 5 1/2, Calle y Colonia Las Mercedes,
Edificio MARN, Instalaciones ISTA. 3er nivel.
San Salvador, El Salvador
Tel. & Fax +503 224 6926 or +503 224 6653
Email:
10. / Dr. Jorge Soberon
Executive Secretary
CONABIO
National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity
Insurgentes-Levifénco #4903
Tlalpan 14010 D.F.
Mexico
Tel: +52-55-55-28-91-01; 91-02
Fax: +52-55-28-91-31
E-mail: ,
11. / WESTERN EUROPE AND OTHERS GROUP
12. / Dr. Fabian Haas
GTI national Focal Point
State Museum of Natural History
Rosenstein 1
70191 Stuttgart
Germany
Tel: +49-711-8936-172
Fax: +49-711-8936-100
E-mail:
13. / Dr. Scott. E. Miller
USA GTI Focal Point
Acting ChairmanDept. of Systematic Biology
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution,
PO Box 37012, MRC 105,
Washington DC 20013-7012
USA
Tel: +1 202 357 2078
Fax: +1 202 786 3141
E-mail:
14. / ORGANIZATIONS
15. / Dr. Salvatore Arico
Biodiversity Programme Officer
UNESCO’s Division of Ecological Sciences and MAB
Division of Ecological Sciences
1, rue Miollis
Cedex 15
F-757332
Paris- France
Tel: +33 1 45 68 40 90
Fax: +33 1 45 68 58 04
Email:
16. / Mr. David Duthie
Project Management Officer
UNEP/GEF
United Nations Environment Activities
PO Box 30552 Gigiri
Nairobi
Kenya
Tel.: +254 20 623717
Fax: +254 20 624258/ 624041
E-Mail:
17. / Dr. Christoph Haeuser
GBIF Governing Board, Chair
State Museum of Natural History
Rosenstein 1
70191 Stuttgart –
Germany
Tel: +49-711-8936-223
Fax: +49-711-8936-100
e-mail:
18. / Dr Alan Paton
Assistant Keeper
Herbarium
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Richmond
Surrey
TW9 3AB
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 8332 5295
Fax: +44 20 8332 5197
Email:
19. / Mr. Mario A. Ramos
Program Manager, Biodiversity
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
1818 H St., NW.,
Washington, DC 20433
USA
Tel.: +1-202 473-3297
Fax: +1-202 522-3240
E-mail:
20. / Dr. Greg Sherley
Chief Executive
Global Invasive Species Programme
Kirstenbosch Gardens
Private Bag X7
Claremont 7735
South Africa
Tel: +27 21 799 8800 switchboard
Tel: +27 21 799 8838 direct
Fax +27 21 797 1561
Email:
21. / Dr. Richard Smith
BioNET-INTERNATIONAL
Bakeham Lane
Egham TW20 9TY
United Kingdom
Tel: +44-1491-829-036 / 037 / 038
Fax: +44-1491-829-082
E-mail:
22. / CBD SECRETARIAT
23. / Dr. Hamdallah Zedan
Executive Secretary
Secretariat of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity
393, rue St-Jacques- Suite 300
Montreal- Quebec- H2Y 1N9
Tel: +1 514 2878718
Fax: +1 514 288-6588
Email:
24. / Dr. Lucie M. Rogo
Programme Officer, Taxonomy and Invasive Alien Species
Secretariat of the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity
393, rue St-Jacques- Suite 300
Montreal- Quebec- H2Y 1N9
Tel: +1 514 2878718
Fax: +1 514 288-6588
Email:
Apologies
Dr. Christopher H. C. Lyal