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This toolkit on communication. education and public awareness (CEPA) including considerations for access and benefit-sharing (ABS) contains methodologies, tips, checklists, case models and other materials to help Parties and stakeholders develop innovative awareness-raising strategies and training materials to communicate about biodiversity-related issues, in particular access and benefit-sharing. It draws upon work done under the programme of work on communication, education and public awareness (CEPA)

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.

In its decision X/2, paragraph 14, the Conference of the Parties, decided that, at its future meetings, it would review progress in the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011- 2020, and requested the Executive Secretary to prepare an analysis/synthesis of national, regional and other actions, including targets as appropriate, established in accordance with the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (para. 17(b)).

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.

DECISION ADOPTED BY THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AT ITS ELEVENTH MEETING XI/24. Protected areas

With a view to strengthen implementation of the programme of work on protected areas (PoWPA) and to align implementation with available funding and technical support, the Conference of the Parties at its tenth meeting adopted several measures in decision X/31. These include, inviting Parties to develop a long-term action plan for the implementation of the PoWPA (or to reorient, as appropriate, relevant existing plans), contributing to the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 (paragraph 1(b)) and to use the protected area biodiversity allocations included in the fifth replenishment period of the Global Environment Facility (GEF 5) in a timely and appropriate manner, as well as bilateral, multilateral and other financial support relevant for protected areas, and to use their PoWPA action plans as the basis for accessing these funds (paragraph 10(b)).

Indigenous peoples and local communities have managed and protected a variety of natural environments and species for a variety of reasons, cultural, spiritual and aesthetic, as well as socio-economic. Today, there are many thousands of indigenous territories and other areas conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities across the world. Indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ conserved territories and areas (ICCAs) are natural and/or modified ecosystems containing significant biodiversity values, ecological services and cultural values, voluntarily conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities, both sedentary and mobile, through customary laws or other effective means. They help maintain genetic diversity, conserve threatened species, and provide corridors for species’ movements. The cultural and economic livelihoods of millions of people depend on them for securing resources such as energy, food, water, fodder, shelter, clothing, and for providing income. ICCAs contribute to global food security by conserving important crop wild relatives, and traditional and threatened landraces. ICCAs play a critical role in ensuring access and respecting rights to customary sustainable use of biodiversity and also provide a fertile classroom for the passing on of inter-generational environmental knowledge, innovations and practices.

Currently some 13% of the world’s terrestrial surface and 4% of marine areas (0-200 nautical miles) under national jurisdiction is protected. These areas serve to safeguard biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services. However, it is well known that they face multiple drivers of change and threats that contribute to their decline and degradation. As our conceptions of the roles and functions of protected areas evolve over the coming decade, we expect that corresponding adjustments in policy will allow protected areas to continue contributing to livelihoods and cultural practices, generating tourism revenues, bolstering local and national economies, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and providing habitat for populations and species.

Below are the broad targets for Tuvalu as complemented in the Tuvalu National Biodiversity Action Plan and NSSD. Ø To prevent air, land , and marine pollution To control and minimise invasive species To rehabilitate and restore degraded ecosystems To promote and strengthen the conservation and sustainable use of Tuvalu’s biological diversity To recognize, protect and apply traditional knowledge innovations and best practices in relation to the management, protection and utilization of biological resources To protect wildlife Ø To protect seabed and control over harvesting in high seas and territorial waters