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Powerpoint presentation on Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EBA) in the Pacific

Indigenous peoples and local communities often depend on natural resources and biodiversity to meet their subsistence needs and sustain their livelihoods. They have demonstrated their ability to be highly effective natural resource managers under the right conditions, but are also vulnerable to environmental degradation and climate change.

In 2010, the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) agreed to an ambitious set of 20 targets, called the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, as part of their commitment to the CBD Strategic Plan. One of the Targets (target 17) called for each country to revise its National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan (NBSAP) in accordance with the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. From 2010 to November 2016, virtually all countries have revised, or are currently completing the revision of, their NBSAP.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is committed to supporting Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in their efforts to achieving the Strategic Plan of Biodiversity (2011-2020) and the Aichi biodiversity targets.

The National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) are seen as key entry points for enhancing synergies and cooperation among the key biodiversity related conventions, namely the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Convention on Migratory Species of wild fauna (CMS), the World Heritage Convention (WHC), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and the International Plan Protection Convention (IPPC). With close of one hundred countries currently finalizing their NBSAPs that serve as key national policy documents concerning biodiversity, this paper attempts to provide specific guidance to countries on ways and means to integrate synergistic actions across key biodiversity conventions. This paper builds on UNEP actions promoting synergies and cooperation among the biodiversity Conventions, including the 'Options Paper' that has been published in 2016 and various Decisions of governing bodies of the conventions calling for synergies.

Marine litter poses serious environmental, health, and economic threats to oceans and coastal ecosystems. It also presents a unique legal and regulatory challenge for many nation States (hereinafter States), as it can originate from diverse land-based and sea-based sources both within and outside of a State. While the full magnitude of the problem can be difficult to ascertain, some estimates suggesting that an average of 8 million tons of plastic waste entered the ocean in 2010, and this figure has been projected to increase.

The Asia Pacific region is exceptionally rich in biodiversity. The tropical forests of South East Asia, the reefs of the ‘coral triangle’, the temperate forests and the large river basins found in the region are among the most unique on Earth. However, biodiversity in the Asia Pacific region is in fast decline. For example, the region recorded the world’s highest number of threatened species in 2014 and extensive coastal development and unsustainable exploitation of marine resources have resulted in the disappearance of over 40 percent of coral reefs and mangroves, leading to declines in fish stocks.

Factsheet on the links between the Aichi biodiversity targets, NBSAPs and objectives of the framework for nature conservation and protected areas in the Pacific islands region.

PEBACC project overview. PEBACC project sites: Taveuni Island & Macuata Province; Port Vila & Tanna Island; Choiseul Province & Honiara

PEBACC project overview. PEBACC project sites: Taveuni Island & Macuata Province; Port Vila & Tanna Island; Choiseul Province & Honiara