SACAM Regional Workshop

SACAM Regional Workshop

Tuesday 15 March 2015

09h30-13h00

Room: El Paraiso

South and Central Asia MAB Network (SACAM) was set up during the Regional Meeting of Coordinators of National MAB Committees and Biosphere Reserves to strengthen closer collaboration through the creation of the SACAM sub-regional network to facilitate information exchange on biodiversity conservation, forest ecosystems, land degradation and rehabilitation in vulnerable ecological systems. The following is a brief summary of what were discussed by the SACAM Network members and by the participants who attended the SACAM workshop at the 4th World Congress on Biosphere Reserves in Lima, Peru.

Number of participants: 28

Participating countries: Bhutan, Canada, China, Germany, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, USA

Speakers: Dr Ram Boojh, SACAM Secretariat at UNESCO New Delhi Office; Dr Dalwani, India; Dr P Singh, Dr P Dhyan;

Key issues discussed:

Main recommendations for the implementation of the LAP:

·  The group discussed the need to identify common interests and subjects across the SACAM network under a new thinking to ask itself what makes us together as a network? The SACAM Network should base their planning and efforts in identifying new value and new thinking, and echoing that in one voice, to make the system transparent, accountable, and legitimate. It also agreed that there is a need for formulation of SACAM regional plan that includes cooperation within regional countries in line with the LAP.

·  The need for using existing platforms such as the ECO and synchronizing with various UN programs was stressed.

Other points discussed:

·  The group reviewed a number of best practices within individual BRs and the involvement of populations in management & providing livelihood opportunities. SACAM should actively work towards engaging local communities in order to strengthen the management and governance processes by developing appropriate indicators for review of BR performance and also to promote application of indigenous Knowledge in various BR planning processes.

·  The network stressed that periodic review of implementation of MAPs show improvement leading to conservation and sustainable development. The meeting also noted the wealth of information provided within these reports that highlight issues faced by many which could be taken note of by the MAB secretariat to be addressed.

·  The transboundary issues were discussed as a predominant subject cross the region which require continued intensive dialogue and discussion for preparation & declaration of a site as a transboundary BR.

·  More financial support for better participation, more interaction thus more meetings of SACAM and a Silk road transboundary BR was also suggested.