COP 2 BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 1995

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COP 2 The second ordinary meeting of the parties to the convention took place in November 1995, in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The Parties subsequently adopted decision II/10 on the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity, supporting some of SBSTTA's recommendations, subject to additional conclusions by COP on the recommendations of SBSTTA 1 on scientific, technical and technological aspects of the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity (as set out in annex I to decision II/10).

Decision II/10 provided guidance on the process to be utilized to develop a work programme on marine and coastal biological diversity, and on key substantive elements of the work programme. It also provided guidance to the Parties in relation to marine and coastal biological diversity, and provisions on cooperation with related conventions and relevant international and regional organizations. In particular, it requested the Executive Secretary to prepare for SBSTTA a study on the bio-prospecting of genetic resources of the deep seabed in consultation with the secretariat of UNCLOS II/10, paragraph 12.

Also at COP 2, the Ministerial Statement on the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity referred to the new global consensus on the importance of marine and coastal biological diversity as the "Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity".

The Ministerial Statement reaffirmed the critical need for the COP to address the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity, and urged Parties to initiate immediate action to implement COP decisions on this issue Ministerial Statement.

Decision II/10 instructed the Executive Secretary to provide to SBSTTA, in accordance with annex II to the decision, advice and options for recommendations to COP in further elaborating the recommendations of SBSTTA. This annex also referred to annual reports to SBSTTA to be produced by the Executive Secretary to the Convention, as part of further work of the Secretariat on marine and coastal biological diversity. The first report was to include a three-year work plan.

In accordance with decision II/10, the Executive Secretary established a roster of experts on marine and coastal biological diversity, on the basis of country input; and, drawing from the roster, convened the first meeting of the Group of Experts on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity (Jakarta, March 1997).

The outcome of this meeting provided the basis for the elaboration by the Executive Secretary of a three-year programme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity. This programme of work was considered and amended by SBSTTA 3 recommendation III/2. 

SUBSIDIARY BODY ON SCIENTIFIC TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE

The second meeting of the SBSTTA took place in Montreal, Canada, between 2 - 6 September 1996, some months after COP2 and one month ahead of the Conference of the Parties in Argentina in November.

PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION

As of 2016, the Convention on Biological Diversification had 196 parties, which includes 195 states and the European Union. All UN member states - with the exception of the United States - have ratified the treaty.

The United Nations is the link between other Conferences of the Parties to include Climate Change and Desertification. It is a bit confusing to have so many different conferences that deal with interconnected issues. In addition, each member state will have their own meetings on the subject to decide what their position will be at the COPs. We wonder then at the size of the carbon footprints so generated in relation to the effectiveness of the decisions - that at the moment do not appear to be working to stabilize our climate, stop deserts from being created, or protect the habitats of our species.

CONFERENCES OF THE PARTIES

The convention's governing body is the Conference of the Parties (COP), consisting of all governments (and regional economic integration organizations) that have ratified the treaty. This ultimate authority reviews progress under the Convention, identifies new priorities, and sets work plans for members.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) uses expertise and support from several other bodies that are established by the Convention. The main organs are:

(a) review of progress in implementation;

(b) strategic actions to enhance implementation;

(c) strengthening means of implementation; and 

(d) operations of the convention and the Protocols.

National Reports

Parties prepare national reports on the status of implementation of the Convention. 

MARINE & COASTAL BIODIVERSITY

The oceans occupy more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and 95% of the biosphere. Life in the sea is roughly 1000 times older than the genus Homo.

There is broad recognition that the seas face unprecedented human-induced threats from industries such as fishing and transportation, the effects of waste disposal, excess nutrients from agricultural runoff, and the introduction of exotic species.

If we fail to understand both the vulnerability and resilience of the living sea, the relatively brief history of the human species will face a tragic destiny.

What's the Problem?

According to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the world’s oceans and coasts are highly threatened and subject to rapid environmental change. Major threats to marine and coastal ecosystems include:

* Land-based pollution and euthrophication
* Overfishing, destructive fishing, and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing
* Alterations of physical habitats
* Invasions of exotic species
* Global climate change

CONTACTS

Cristiana Pașca Palmer

Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
413, Saint Jacques Street, suite 800
Montreal QC H2Y 1N9
Canada

Tel: +1 514 288 2220
Fax: +1 514 288 6588
E-Mail: secretariat@cbd.int
Web: www.cbd.int

BIODIVERSITY COP HISTORY

CLIMATE CHANGE UN COP HISTORY

DESERTIFICATION COP HISTORY

CONSERVATION RISK - Plastic has accumulated in five ocean hot spots called gyres, see here in this world map derived from information published by 5 Gyres. The plastic is laden with toxins that fish and marine mammals mistake for food and eat - eventually killing them. Marine pollution is thus a major challenge if we are to ensure that species are not wiped out.

LINKS & REFERENCE

https://www.cbd.int/meetings/SBSTTA-01

https://worldoceanreview.com/en/wor-1/marine-ecosystem/biodiversity/

https://www.cbd.int/executive-secretary/

https://www.cbd.int/marine/

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