REPORT OF THE MEETING ONSUSTAINABLE OCEAN INITIATIVE PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT
INTRODUCTION
1.At its tenth meeting, the 193 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and their partners opened a new era of biodiversity conservation by adopting: (i) a new ten year Strategic Plan (2011-2020) and Aichi Biodiversity Targets to guide international and national efforts to save biodiversity through enhanced action to meet the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity; (ii) a resource mobilization strategy that provides the way forward to a substantial increase to current levels of official development assistance in support of biodiversity; and (iii) a new international protocol on access to and sharing of the benefits from the use of the genetic resources of the planet, so called "Nagoya Protocol".
2.In the midst of unprecedented challenges in reversing the trend of continuing loss of biodiversity, which is further threatened by emerging threats of climate change impacts, the historic steps made in Nagoya are to effectively engage our common efforts toward sustaining the well-being of humanity in harmony with other creatures on this one and only planet.
3.At the Nagoya Biodiversity Summit, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP 10) also undertook its in-depth review of the progress made in the implementation of the CBD programme of work on marine and coastal biodiversity, and provided further guidance for enhanced implementation of the programme of work on marine and coastal biodiversity.
4.COP 10 also urged Parties and otherGovernments to achieve long-term conservation, management and sustainable use of marine resources and coastal habitats, and to effectively manage marine protected areas, in order to safeguard marine and coastal biodiversity and marine ecosystem services, and sustainable livelihoods, and to adapt to climate change, through appropriate application of the precautionary approach and ecosystem approaches, including the use of available tools such as integrated river basin and integrated coastal zone management, marine spatial planning, and impact assessments.
5.COP10 then emphasized the need for training and capacitybuilding of developing country Parties, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as countries with economies in transition, as well as through relevant regional initiatives, and that these training workshops should contribute to sharing experiences related to integrated management of marine resources and the implementation of marine and coastal spatial planning instruments, facilitate the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity, and may address other regional priorities that are brought forward as these workshops are planned.
6.Pursuant to the requests mentioned above, and building upon the initial consultation meeting convened during COP 10 on 24 October 2010, the Executive Secretary organized, jointly with UNU-IAS-Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa, with financial support from the Government of Japanincluding the Ministry of the Environment (through Japan Biodiversity Fund), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Ishikawa Prefecture and Kanazawa City, a Meeting on Sustainable Ocean Initiative Programme Development. The meeting was held at the Kanazawa City Conference Center in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan from 2 to 4 August 2011.
7.The meeting aimed at building a long-term programme of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative with identification of short-term priority actions, including implementation measures, in consultation with various partners, toward the goal of setting in place the Sustainable Ocean Initiative as a long-term capacity building partnership to facilitate the achievement of Aichi Biodiversity Targets on marine and coastal biodiversity, in particular Target 6 and Target 11, and effective implementation of CBD programme of work on marine and coastal biodiversity, including the guidance by COP 10 in decision X/29.
8.The meeting was attended by experts from Brazil, France, Japan, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission/UNESCO (through written submission), Northwest Pacific Action Plan-UNEP, United Nations University-Institute of Advanced Studies, Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia, Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative/IUCN, IUCN-Fisheries Expert Group-CEM, Census of Marine Life, WWF-West Africa Marine Eco-region (WAMER), and International Collective in Support of Fish Workers. Domestic participants include representatives from the Ministry of the Environment; Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Cabinet Secretariat of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy; Ocean Policy Research Foundation; Japan Agency for Marine and Earth Science and Technology; National Fisheries Research Agency of Japan; Research Institute for Humanity and Nature; The University of Tokyo; Hiroshima University; and Japan Wildlife Research Center. The full list of participants is attached as annex I.
9.The organization of the meeting is attached as annex II.
1.OPENING OF THE MEETING AND KEYNOTE SPEECHES
10.Ms. Anne McDonald, director of UNU-IAS/OUIK, welcomed participants to the meeting. She recalled that Kanazawa was the site where the Sustainable Ocean Initiative was gradually conceived, starting in April 2010 at the Marine Sustainability Seminar that brought together the CBD Secretariat and local community representatives, fishermen and participants from the policy making process. This was followed by the Informal Consultation Meeting on the Sustainable Ocean Initiative in Nagoya, Japan, 24 October 2010. Those meetings emphasized, inter alia, the importance of linking the local scale implementation and stakeholders with the policy process.
11.Mr. Hideka Morimoto, Deputy Director General of the Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment of the Government of Japan, formally opened the meeting. Mr. Morimoto thanked the Kanazawa City, the United Nations University and the CBD Secretariat for their efforts in organising this meeting. Welcoming international participants, he expressed his gratitude for the international solidarity for Japan that followed the Great Northeastern Japan Earthquake in March. He recalled that with its rich forest and the sea, Northeast Japan is endowed with high biodiversity, and recalled the responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment in ensuring its recovery after the disaster, conservation and sustainable use. He laid stress on the importance of achieving the Aichi Targets in order to achieve a life in harmony with nature, and reiterated the willingness of Japan to cooperate within the Sustainable Ocean Initiative for the preservation of marine and coastal biodiversity. Finally, he informed participants that the launching event of the UN Decade on Biodiversity will be held in December in Ishikawa, and expressed his hopes that the Sustainable Ocean Initiative would contribute in an operational manner to the preservation of marine and coastal biodiversity.
12.In a video statement,Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, welcomed participants and conveyed his deep sympathy and high esteem for the resilience of the coastal communities that were affected by the tsunami tragedy in March. He recalled the special connection with Japan of the biodiversity community, a bond that was strengthened following the successful achievements of COP 10 in Nagoya. He expressed his gratitude to the Japanese Government for its leadership in COP 10, and its generous support, through Japan Biodiversity Fund, to technical cooperation and scientific partnerships for the achievement of the Aichi targets, that include important components on marine and coastal areas. In the aftermath of the Tohoku tsunami tragedy, the Secretariat of the CBD immediately informed of its availability to assist in the efforts for reconstruction and restoration in its areas of competence. Finally, Mr. Djoghlaf informed participants of the objectives of the Tokyo special symposium on Great East Japan Rebuilding to be held on 5 August 2011 following this meeting later this week, which will address issues such as the resilience and effective rebuilding of coastal communities affected by disasters, both in Japan and in the world.
13.Mr. Thia-Eng Chua, Chair of the East Asian Seas Partnership Council, delivered a keynote speech on 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets on marine and coastal biodiversity and capacity disparity in the developing world, and Mr. Hiroshi Terashima, Executive Director of the Ocean Policy Research Foundation, delivered a second keynote speech on the theme of sustainable ocean governance and marine biodiversity conservation. The summary of these presentations and of the discussions that ensued are provided in annex III.
2. MEETING BACKGROUND, OBJECTIVES, EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND ORGANIZATION OF WORKS
14.Ms. Jihyun Lee, Environmental Affairs Officer for Marine and Coastal Biodiversity and the Ecosystem Approach of the CBD Secretariat, and Ms. Anne McDonald, Director of the United Nations University, Institute of Advanced Studies, Operating Unit in Ishikawa/Kanazawa (UNU-IAS/OUIK) presented the meeting background, objectives, expected outputs and organisation of the planned work. The presenters thanked the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) for sponsoring the organisation of this meeting, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) and the Japan Biodiversity Fund whose support was instrumental in starting this initiative, and the representatives of Japanese partner organizations that played a key role in its conception. The presenters expressed their deep respect for the communities’ resilience in Northeast Japan following the disaster in March.
15.The presenters recalled that important legacies from COP 10 in Nagoya include the Satoyama Initiative and the Sustainable Oceans Initiative (SOI), and briefed the participants on the genesis of SOI earlier in 2010. The role of local community leaders in defining the direction of SOI and advancing the development of its programme was emphasized, together with the role of existing networks of scientists, particularly the satoyama and satoumi. The opportunity presented by Japan’s presidency of the Conference of the Partieswas emphasized. The speakers stressed that SOI must remain closely aligned with the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and should synergise effectively with other existing global initiatives, such as the Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative (GOBI), whose focus on international scientific partnerships on open ocean and deep sea habitats can be effectively complemented by the focus of SOI on coastal areas.
16.Proposed focus areas of SOI’s were presented, including the sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity, coastal livelihood and communities, practical management tools and facilitating cross-sectoral dialogues in order to further enhance our common efforts toward achieving Aichi Biodiversity Targets on marine and coastal biodiversity. The importance of biodiversity for community resilience for climate change was underscored, with the necessity to link the local level implementation to science and policy processes. The participants were reminded that the expected outputs of the meeting include a long-term vision for SOI, goals and approaches, short-term priorities, and identifying partnerships and potential financial resources. The presenters noted the diversity of expertise, geographic representation and organisational representation, and the asset these represented for the meeting. The meeting agenda, sessions and breakout groups were described, together with their links to upcoming international processes in biodiversity conservation. In response to a comment from the audience, it was clarified that the choice of Aichi Biodiversity Targets of focus will be up to the breakout groups themselves. The Meeting was encouraged to participate in the meeting discussion based on the following principles of SOI:
S: Share experiences, expertise, ideas and suggestions in designing the long-term programme of SOI and identifying short-term priorities
O: Open to new ideas, diverse approaches, different sectoral concerns, and different ecological, socio-cultural, and economic contexts
I: Innovative, creating new partnerships, strengthening existing collaborations, inviting partners, and mobilizing necessary technical expertise and financial resources
3.SESSION I: COP 10 OUTCOMES ON MARINE AND COASTAL BIODIVERSITY AND CHALLENGES AHEAD
17.In its consideration of this item, the meeting had before it the following background documents: Decision X/2 on the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, Decision X/29 on Marine and Coastal Biodiversity, the Explanatory Guide on Target 11 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity, a background note on the POWPA Implementation Support Consortium, the Report of the FAO/UNEP Expert Meeting on Impacts of Destructive Fishing Practices, Unsustainable Fishing, and Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing on Marine Biodiversity and Habitats, the Draft Summary Report of the Informal Consultation Meeting on the Global Sustainable Ocean Initiative.
18.The meeting participants shared, through individual presentations and open discussions, their global, regional and national experiences inadvancing towards the CBD Programme of Work in marine and coastal areas and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Summaries of the individual presentations are provided in annex III.
4. SESSION II: SUSTAINABLE OCEAN INITIATIVE PROGRAMME DEVELOPMENT ON ADDRESSING CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS TOWARD ACHIEVING AICHI TARGETS ON MARINE AND COASTAL BIODIVERSITY
19.For the consideration of this item, building on the above-noted presentations and deliberations of the meeting, the meeting participants were divided into two break-out groups, to consider in-depth development of SOI programme, including:
a)Group 1. SOI Programme in support of Aichi Target 6 (addressing biodiversity concerns in sustainable fishery)
b)Group 2. SOI Programme in support of Aichi Target 11 (marine and coastal protected areas)
20.The results of break-out group sessions are contained in annexes IV below.
5. CONCLUSION AND FUTURE STEPS
21.The Meeting considered the draft synthesis of conclusion and future steps prepared by Co-Chairs, Group Discussion Moderators and rapporteurs and the Meeting Secretariat, building upon the results of individual presentations, submission of the meeting participants and the results of group discussion session. The results are contained in annexes IV below.
6.ADOPTION OF THE REPORT
22.The Meeting considered and adopted the report of the meeting on the basis of a draft report prepared and presented by the meeting Co-Chairs with some changes.
7.CLOSURE OF THE MEETING
23.In closing the meeting, the Co-Chairs thanked all the participants for their contribution to the successful conclusion of the workshop. They thanked the Government of Japan and various partner organizations for their support to the organization of the meeting. Participants expressed their appreciation to the meeting Co-Chairs and the group chairs for their leadership in steering the meeting discussion, the rapporteurs for excellent report preparation, and the Secretariat members for their effective and efficient servicing of the meeting.
24.The meeting Co-Chairs declared the meeting closed at15:00 pm.
Annex I
List of participants
Parties
Brazil
Ms. Monica Brick Peres
Biodiversity Assessment Coordinator
Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, Ministry for Environment
EQSW 103/104, Bloco "D", Complexo Administrativo, Setor Sudoeste
Caixa Postal 7993, 70.670-350
Brasilia/DF
Brazil
Tel.: +55 (61) 3341.9054 / 3341.9057
Fax: +55 (61) 3341.9054 / 3341.9057
E-Mail:
France
Mr. Christophe Lefebvre
Agence française des Aires Protégées
16, Quai de la Douane
Brest Cedex 2 F-29229
France
Tel.: +33 (0) 6 87 90 73 66
E-Mail:
Japan
Cabinet Secretariat, Secretariat of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy
Mr. Hajime Kawamura
Counsellor
Cabinet Secretariat, Secretariat of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy
6th fl. 1-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 107-0052
Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5575-1532
Fax: +81-3-5575-0090
E-mail:
Mr. Yasuaki Bungi
Cabinet Official
Cabinet Secretariat, Secretariat of the Headquarters for Ocean Policy
6F 1-7-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 107-0052
Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5575-1532
Fax: +81-3-5575-0090
E-mail:
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)
Mr. Yoshinori Suga
Section Chief
Ecosystem Conservation Office
Fisheries Agency
1-2-1 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8907
Japan
Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan (MOEJ)
Mr. Hideka Morimoto
Deputy Director-General
Nature Conservation Bureau
Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan
1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8975
Mr. Naoki Amako
Assistant Director
Biodiversity Policy Division,
Nature Conservation Bureau
Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan
1-2-2 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8975
Tel.: +81-3-3581-3351
Fax: +81-3-3591-3228
E-mail:
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
Mr. Yusuke Hayakawa
Special Assistant to the Director
Ocean Policy Division, Policy Bureau
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
2-1-3 Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-8918
Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5253-8266
Fax: +81-3-5253-1549
E-mail:
ORGANISATIONS
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO)
Mr. Wenxi Zhu
Head, UNESCO/IOC Regional Office for the Western Pacific
Programme Specialist of UNESCO Bangkok
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO
c/o Department of Marine and Coastal Resources
9th Fl., Government Complex B, 120 Chaengwattana Rd,
120 Chaengwattana Rd, Bangkok 10210,
Bangkok 10210
Thailand
Tel.: +6621411287
Fax: +6621439245
E-Mail:
Web:
Northwest Pacific Action Plan - NOWPAP - UNEP
Mr. Sangjin Lee
Scientific Affairs Officer
Northwest Pacific Action Plan - NOWPAP - UNEP
152-1 Halan-ro Gijang-up
Gijang-gun
Busan 819-705
Republic of Korea
E-Mail:
Web:
Mr. Masakatsu Ohyama
Administrative Officer
Northwest Pacific Action Plan - NOWPAP - UNEP
5-5- Ushijimashin-machi
Toyama City 930-0856
Japan
E-Mail:
United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS)
Ms. Marjo Vierros
Adjunct Senior Fellow
Institute of Advanced Studies
United Nations University - Institute of Advanced Studies
9311 Emerald Drive
Whistler, B.C. V0N 1B9
Canada
Tel.: + 604 938-1512; 604 902 0877
E-Mail:
Census of Marine Life
Mr. Patrick Halpin
Associate Professor
Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University
Census of Marine Life
Nicholas School of the Environment