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The international community is increasingly aware of the link between biodiversity and sustainable development and its direct impact on wealth, health and well-being. Biodiversity is the origin of all crops and domesticated livestock. It is also the source of vital ecosystem services and functions, including soil conservation, water cycling, pollination, pest and disease regulation, carbon sequestration and nitrogen fixation. Biodiversity and the ecosystem services it supports are thus key to nutritional diversity and to agricultural productivity and resilience. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and its 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets provide a framework for countries to develop national targets and policies for sustaining biodiversity for a healthy planet. To meet rising global food demands, agricultural systems need to produce greater quantities of more diverse and nutritious food in a sustainable way. This progress can and must be achieved without driving biodiversity loss. It must come through gains in the efficiency of resource use, through sustainable intensification and a landscape perspective in agricultural production. By contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, agriculture will be a key driver for eliminating poverty, improving human health and providing energy, food and clean water for all while maintaining natural ecosystems.

Tonga is one of the many islands that are endowed with unique resources and derives much of its economic, environmental and social well-being directly or indirectly from its environment. Tonga harbours numerous special ecosystems: from the peak of Mt, Talau in Vava’u, to the serenity of Vai Lahi in Niuafo’ou; the vulnerability of the Ha’apai Group to ‘Eua’s National Forest and to the Fanga’uta Lagoon in Tongatapu. Beyond the aesthetic beauty of the ecosystems to tourists and visitors; they provide immense support to the communities whose livelihoods are centred. They provide food, shelter, fresh water, wood, fibre, medicine, fuel, tools and raw materials. They also provide spiritual, recreational values, educational references as well as contributing to the economies, livelihoods and culture of Tonga. Our ecosystems maintain and provide protection against diseases, climate, natural disasters, support nutrients cycling, and aid sand and soil formation.

Samoa’s fifth national report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) examines trends and changes in the country’s biodiversity and the status of NBSAP implementation since the fourth national report was submitted in 2008. The report’s format and focus follow those recommended by the CBD Secretariat Guidelines for the Fifth National Report1 for CBD parties.

The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio Earth Summit) and entered into force on 29 December 1993. The Convention is the only international instrument comprehensively addressing biological diversity. Th e Conventions three objectives are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources

Today, May 10th, in addition to being SIDS Day, coincides with the release, in Nairobi, Kenya, of the third edition of Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-3). This major new assessment of the current state of biodiversity and the implications of its continued loss for human well-being was produced by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the broadest international treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of the benefits from the utilization of genetic resources. The Convention has been ratified by 193 Parties, including all SIDS. The report concludes that the world has failed to meet its target to achieve a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 and that natural systems that support economies, lives, livelihoods and poverty eradication across the planet are at risk of rapid degradation and collapse, unless there is swift, radical and creative action to conserve and sustainably use the variety of life on Earth.

This synthesis focuses on estimates of biodiversity change as projected for the 21st century by models or extrapolations based on experiments and observed trends. The term “biodiversity” is used in a broad sense as it is defined in the Convention on Biological Diversity to mean the abundance and distributions of and interactions between genotypes, species, communities, ecosystems and biomes. This synthesis pays particular attention to the interactions between biodiversity and ecosystem services and to critical “tipping points” that could lead to large, rapid and potentially irreversible changes. Comparisons between models are used to estimate the range of projections and to identify sources of uncertainty. Experiments and observed trends are used to check the plausibility of these projections. In addition we have identified possible actions at the local, national and international levels that can be taken to conserve biodiversity. We have called on a wide range of scientists to participate in this synthesis, with the objective to provide decision makers with messages that reflect the consensus of the scientific community and that will aid in the development of policy and management strategies that are ambitious, forward looking and proactive.

Species which have been assessed for extinction risk are on average moving closer to extinction. Amphibians face the greatest risk and coral species are deteriorating most rapidly in status. Nearly a quarter of plant species are estimated to be threatened with extinction.

The ecological linkages between water, wetlands and forests represent the intricate interdependence of our ecosystems and our resources. Forests play a pivotal role in the hydrological cycle by affecting rates of transpiration and evaporation, and influencing how water is routed and stored in a watershed. This consequently plays a vital role in the preservation of our wetlands, which act as natural reservoirs and are extremely rich in terms of both biodiversity and the ecological services that they provide, for example, within the realms of agriculture, sanitation, and energy