Global Biodiversity Forum - GBFANNOUNCEMENT & CALL FOR PAPERS 10TH Session of the
The 10th session of the Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF10-Bratislava) will be convened in Bratislava, Slovakia, on 1-3 May 1998, immediately prior to the 4th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (Bratislava, 4-15 May 1998). It is currently proposed that GBF10-Bratislava focus on the following themes:
The Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF) provides for an independent, open and strategic mechanism to foster analysis and unencumbered dialogue and debate among those interested in priority ecological, economic, institutional and social issues related to the options for action to conserve biodiversity, and use biological resources sustainably and equitably. It is designed to contribute to the further development and implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other biodiversity-related instruments at the international, regional and national levels. It complements intergovernmental processes by: 1) providing a broad spectrum of perspectives, proposals and experiences from all stakeholders; 2) building diverse partnerships among stakeholders (including governments, indigenous groups, local communities, NGOs and the private sector); and 3) providing an impetus to key issues and areas that require further development and attention. Background to the GBF The Forum concept was initially proposed by the WRI-IUCN-UNEP 1992 Global Biodiversity Strategy. The first formal test of the Forum concept was hosted by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) in Nairobi in January 1993. Since then the following sessions of the Forum have been held: - GBF1-Gland was hosted by IUCN in October 1993, in Gland, Switzerland, and examined critical issues facing the further development of the Convention. It was held immediately prior to the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on CBD (ICCBD1). - GBF2-Nassau was hosted by the Bahamas National Trust and held immediately prior to the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP1) to the Convention, in Nassau, Bahamas, in November 1994. - GBF3-Jakarta was hosted by the Indonesian Biodiversity Foundation and WWF-Indonesia Programme, and was held immediately prior to the COP2 to the CBD, November 1995, in Jakarta, Indonesia. - The first regional session of the GBF (GBF-Latin America) was held for Latin America in Colombia in May 1996. - GBF4-Montreal was hosted by the Canadian Coalition for Biodiversity, Canadian Global Change Program and a number of other organizations, and held in Montreal on 31 August-1 September 1996, immediately prior to the second meeting of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA2). - The second regional session of the GBF (GBF1-East Africa) was held in Kenya in September 1996. - GBF5-Buenos Aires was hosted by the Fundacion Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (FARN), and held in November 1996 just before COP3 to the CBD, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. - GBF6-New York was held 3-4 April 1997, in New York, USA, on Exploring Options for Incorporating Indicators and Targets into National Implementation Reports required under the Convention on Biological Diversity. - GBF7-CITES explored the synergies between the CBD and CITES. It was hosted by Zimbabwe Trust and held 6-8 June 1997, in Harare, Zimbabwe, immediately prior to the 10th COP of CITES. - GBF8-SBSTTA3 was hosted by IUCN Montreal and held in Montreal, 29-31 August 1997, immediately prior to the 3rd meeting of SBSTTA. - The third regional session of the GBF (GBF2-East Africa) was held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 17-19 November 1997 and was hosted by ICRAF. - GBF9-Kyoto was held on 6 December 1997, in Kyoto, Japan, during the COP 3 of the Framework Convention on Climate Change. It explored the linkages between biodiversity and climate change. Call for papers Interested individuals from all sectors are invited to submit 1-2 page abstracts of papers by 15 March 1998 for possible presentation at one of the workshops during the Forum. Please use the enclosed Abstract Submission Form and, if possible, send in your submissions by email lac@iucn.hq.org A limited number of papers will be chosen for formal presentation by Workshop Organizers on the basis of relevance to the topic, quality, balance among sectors, and geographical balance. The Forum is not an academic seminar, and at least 50 percent of its time will be devoted to open discussion among all participants. Participation at the GBF Please use the enclosed Participation Form to notify the Convenors of your intent to participate. The deadline for receiving the participation form is 10 April 1998. Registration for the Forum is US$ 25 to help cover costs of refreshments and documentation. The fee will be collected during registration in Bratislava. A very limited number of waivers of the fee is available for those with the greatest financial need but only on the basis of a written application to Caroline Martinet at IUCN by 10 April 1998.
Workshop descriptionsThe following workshops are currently planned: Sharing the Benefits Arising from the Utilization of Genetic Resources (Organizers: World Resources Institute, Global Environment Facility, IUCN). The CBD calls for benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources to be shared equitably. This workshop is intended to assist in developing a better understanding of what benefit-sharing in the real world might look like, and how innovative benefit-sharing arrangements can be put in place. Workshop discussions will focus around a set of 3-4 invited presentations about specific benefit-sharing arrangements in different regions, which will feature presentations by a number of stakeholders actually involved in a specific benefit-sharing arrangement (government, industry, academia, NGO, indigenous peoples, etc.). Potential workshop participants are also invited to submit abstracts for individual papers that deal with benefit-sharing. Such papers should deal not with general issues but rather should focus on specific experiences on the ground with arrangements for the sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. (focal contact: Chip Barber, World Resources Institute, 14 Cabbage Street, Valle Verde 5, Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines; tel: +632 631-0421, fax: +632 631-0406, e-mail: cbarber@mnl.sequel.net Traditional Knowledge and Article (Organizers: Indigenous Peoples Biodiversity Network, Shuswap Nation Fisheries Commission, and others). The Workshop will look at on-going efforts to develop basic principles to guide the implementation of Article 8(j) of the CBD in light of the negociations on traditional knowledge that will be discussed at COP4 in Bratislava. Workshop sessions may focus on the opportunities and limitations present in the national implementation of Article 8(j) and linking and harmonizing Article 8(j) with other articles and Conventions; the work of the Indigenous Biodiversity Information Network and the opportunities and constraints in the establishment of an Indigenous Information Clearinghouse, as well as the ehical considerations related to the management of information on traditional knowledge; and the role and importance of traditional knowledge in the conservation and sustainable use of coastal and marine biodiversity, with focus on the Pacific region - opportunities and contraints, and strategic, ethical and policy matters related to the issues. (focal contact: Alejandro Argumedo, P.O. Box 567, Cusco, Peru. Tel: 51 84 232 603; Fax: 51 84 245 021; e-mail: ipbn@web.net CBD Clearing-House Mechanism: Building a Network of Networks (Organizers: Biodiversity Conservation Information System in co-operation with the CBD Clearing-House Secretariat). The workshop will aim to recommend to the CBD/COP what steps can be taken to build an effective CHM. The focus of the workshop will be on the: "CONTENT", "STRUCTURE" and "CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS" of the CHM; exploring how networking of biodiversity information can best provide information to those who need it. How can synergy be created between the focal points and networks? How can harmonization of initiatives be achieved? How can the CHM best support the Rio-process? (focal contact: Kevin Grose, Chair - BCIS Steering Committee, c/o IUCN, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland. Tel: +41.22.999-0134, Fax: +41.22.999-0010; Email: keg@hq.iucn.org; http://biodiversity.org Sustainable Use (Organizer: IUCN Sustainable Use Initiative). The Workshop will commence with a global synthesis, drawn from particular regional perspectives, of tenure and access rights issues as these influence the sustainability of different uses of natural renewable resources. Through the use of a series of regionally focused case studies, subsequent workshop sessions will analyse further the extent to which tenurial issues and access rights influence sustainability in different socio-political and economic contexts. (focal contact: Hank Jenkins, Director (International Wildlife) Biodiversity Group, Environment Australia, GPO Box 636, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia. Tel: +612-62500-392; fax: +612-62500-243; email: hank.jenkins@dest.gov.au Financial Innovations for Biodiversity (Organizers: IUCN, and others to be sought). The Convention on Biological Diversity calls on Parties to provide financial support and incentives (Article 20.1) and to strengthen existing financial institutions (Article 21.4) in support of its objectives. It is time to move beyond debates over the financial mechanism and additional development assistance. This workshop will explore new innovations, in both public and private finance, which generate substantive financial flows in support of the global biodiversity agenda. (Focal contact: Frank Vorhies, Economics Services Unit, IUCN, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland. Tel: +41.22.999-0273; fax: +41.22.999-0025; email: fwv@hq.iucn.org An Ecosystem Approach to the Management of Inland Water Systems and Biodiversity (Organizers: IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management, Ramsar Bureau, IUCN Species Survival Commission, ICLARM, and IUCN Environmental Law Programme.) The workshop will discuss key issues in taking an "ecosystem approach" to the management of inland water ecosystems and their biodiversity. Key issues are still to be defined but those suggested include: the impact of management of natural resources in ecosystems linked to inland water ecosystems, such as forestry and mining, on inland water ecosystems and their biodiversity; freshwater species under threat; legal, institutional and economic implications of an ecosystem based approach to management; stake-holder participation; and capacity-building. (focal contact: Trijntje Luiten, IUCN - CEM, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland. Tel: +41.22.999-0251; fax: +41.22.999-0025; email: trl@hq.iucn.org Public Education and Awareness - How to put it into Practice (Organizer: IUCN Commission on Education and Communication). For the first time, the Parties will discuss their obligations on Article 13 on public education and awareness at the fourth Conference of the Parties, May 1998. Since many of the threats to biodiversity are a result of human action, public awareness and education is critical to successfully implement the Convention. Although there is general agreement about the importance of education and awareness there are many obstacles to creating effective public education programmes to deal with the complex array of issues and groups involved. This workshop could provide an opportunity to clarify views in relation to the important recommendations to the COP, such as in what areas should financial support be given, what steps are the most important to take, how can cooperation with other states and international organisations (13b) on educational programmes be put into place, and how can impact be monitored and evaluated? The workshop could also plan concrete steps to overcome obstacles and work on the elements of a project to support governments in taking their education/communication work forward. (focal contact: Wendy Goldstein,IUCN Education and Communication Prog., Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland. Tel: +41.22.999-0282; fax: +41.22.999-0025; email: wjg@hq.iucn.org Trade and Biodiversity (Organizers: IUCN, IISD, FIELD, ICTSD, plus one or two from the developing world, to be named). The international trade regime imposes disciplines and restrictions on governments that severely limit their scope to pursue environmental aims, including those of biodiversity conservation. The biodiversity regime, represented by the CBD, calls for action that could can create conflict with the trade regime. Clearly it is in everybody's interest to find ways to make the two regimes as complementary as possible, and to avoid conflict breaking out between them. This workshop will begin by examining aspects of both regimes relevant to the other. It will then examine three issues in greater detail and in light of the two regimes: trade in forest products, trade in fisheries, and intellectual property rights. National experiences in addressing these issues will be highlighted. The workshop will seek to formulate recommendations for COP4 as well as relevant trade-related events. (focal contact: Mark Halle, Global Policy and Partnerships, IUCN, Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland. Tel: +41.22.999-0001; fax: +41.22.999-0020; email: mah@hq.iucn.org Individuals or institutions who are interested in co-organizing a workshop are encouraged to contact the focal point of the workshop concerned directly or the Forum organizers. General agenda Day 1 (Friday, 1 May 1998)
Day 3 (Sunday, 3 May 1998)
Financial assistance Financial assistance for travel and/or per diem may be available for developing country participants chosen to present formal papers or otherwise contribute to the Forum. All participants requiring financial assistance are urged to also seek travel support from the local offices of international donor organizations. Hotel accommodations It is requested that you make your own hotel arrangements as soon as possible using the HOTEL RESERVATION FORM. Kindly note that the full payment for your hotel must be paid prior to arrival in Bratislava. Payments should be made to: CSOB Bratislava 02-04181000/7500/275 . Credit cards are not accepted. Please bring copies of the confirmations of your payment and hotel reservation with you to Bratislava. Should you require further assistance with hotels, please contact:
IUCN Slovakia Special Projects Unit, Vysoka 18, 81106 Bratislava, Slovakia. Tel/fax: +421 7 536-1175; e-mail: iucn.ba@internet.sk For participants arriving in Vienna, there is bus transport to Bratislava every 2 hours. The trip is around hour and costs about US$ 5.00. FURTHER INFORMATION ON GBF10-Bratislava, please contact:
GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FORUM 10 - BRATISLAVA
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