Transboundary Conservation and Peace-Building: Lessons from Forest Projects
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Transboundary Conservation and Peace-building: Lessons from forest projects International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) This is the first version of the report. A final version is planned to be published in December 2010. The United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) is a global think tank whose mission is “to advance knowledge and promote learning for policy-making to meet the challenges of sustainable development”. UNU-IAS undertakes research and postgraduate education to identify and address strategic issues of concern for all humankind, for governments, decision-makers, and particularly, for developing countries. Established in 1996, the Institute convenes expertise from disciplines such as economics, law, social and natural sciences to better understand and contribute creative solutions to pressing global concerns, with research and programmatic activities related to current debates on sustainable development: . Biodiplomacy Initiative . Ecosystem Services Assessment . Satoyama Initiative . Sustainable Development Governance . Education for Sustainable Development . Marine Governance . Traditional Knowledge Initiative . Science and Technology for Sustainable Societies . Sustainable Urban Futures UNU-IAS, based in Yokohama, Japan, has two International Operating Units: the Operating Unit Ishikawa/ Kanazawa (OUIK) in Japan, and the Traditional Knowledge Initiative (TKI) in Australia. Transboundary Conservation and Peace-building: Lessons from forest projects Principal advisor and editor of report Saleem H. Ali, Ph.D. Professor of Environmental Planning University of Vermont, Director, Institute for Environmental Diplomacy and Security, James Jeffords Center for Policy Research, 153 South Prospect Street Burlington Vermont 05401, USA Ph: +1-802-656-0173 Fx: +1-802-656-8015 http://www.uvm.edu/ieds Email: [email protected] October 2010 To be published by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS), Yokohama, Japan. This is the first version of the report. A final version is planned to be published in December 2010. Copyright © United Nations University, 2010 The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations University or the Institute of Advanced Studies. United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies 6F, International Organizations Center Pacifico-Yokohama 1-1-1 Minato Mirai Nishi-ku, Yokohama, 220-8502 Japan Tel: +81-45-221-2300 Fax: +81-45-221-2302 Email: [email protected] URL http://www.ias.unu.edu/ Cover Photo Credit: Design and Layout: Xpress Print Pte Ltd Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................................................ 4 Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Foreword ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................. 7 2. Methodology for Study ............................................................................................................................ 11 3. Case Analyses ............................................................................................................................................. 12 4. Conclusion and Policy Recommendations ............................................................................................... 24 Bibliography .................................................................................................................................................. 26 3 Abstract Abstract Transboundary conservation has acquired greater significance in recent years as international treaties, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), have included such projects in their program of work. Since 1990, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) has been involved in several conservation projects that spam international borders which broadly include the following ecoregions: Borneo rainforest (Indonesia, Malaysia); Central African rainforest (Gabon, Cameroon, Republic of Congo); Southeast Asian forest (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam) and the Andean rainforest (Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia). This report provides lessons from these projects in terms of their potential for peace-building, which has been a stated goal alongside conservation. The analysis of seven cases higlights the need to: (i) Demarcate the region for conservation value (ii) Resolve micro-conflicts before instituting conservation plan (iii) Make livelihood prospects as they relate to migration part of the negotiations (iv) Negotiate access and communication during earliest phase of agreement (v) Seek mediation and diplomatic leverage from “guarantor” countries and NGOs. 4 Executive Summary Executive Summary Transboundary conservation has acquired greater significance in recent years as international treaties, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, have included such projects in their program of work. Since 1990, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) has been involved in several conservation projects that span international borders, which broadly include the following ecoregions: Borneo rainforest (Indonesia, Malaysia); Central African rainforest (Gabon, Cameroon, Republic of Congo); Southeast Asian forest (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam); and the Andean rainforest (Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia). This report provides an evaluation of these projects in terms of their potential for peace-building, which has been a stated goal alongside conservation. The methodology for the study involved a series of qualitative questions that were posed to ITTO staff, governmental officials and civil society professionals via an email survey. In the case of the Cordillera del Condor region between Ecuador and Peru, a community field visit also elicited responses from indigenous community members regarding the salient role of this case in conflict resolution between the two countries. The comparative case analysis reveals that efficacy of these projects is often limited by leadership from the donor community and host governments but international organizations such as ITTO have the potential to catalyze lasting cooperation. Lessons from the analysis of seven project cases include the need to: (i) Demarcate the region for conservation value (ii) Resolve micro-conflicts before instituting conservation plan (iii) Make livelihood prospects as they relate to migration part of the negotiations (iv) Negotiate access and communication during earliest phase of agreement (iv) Seek mediation and diplomatic leverage from “guarantor” countries and Non-Governmental Orgnizations (NGOs). The report concludes that with perseverance in achieving these goals and continued support of the international community, the achievements of these projects can be strengthened to meet the obligations of international environmental agreements. 5 Foreword Foreword The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) are two international organizations based in Yokohama, Japan, that have been actively involved in biodiversity policy issues for several years. UNU-IAS has published several studies on biodiversity conservation and is deeply involved in studying issues linked to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). ITTO has promoted biodiversity conservation of tropical forests in both its policy development and field work. In 1993, for example, ITTO published its Guidelines for the Conservation of Biodiversity in Tropical Production Forests, later revised in 2009. This policy document sets out the specific actions that policymakers, forest managers and other stakeholders should take to improve biodiversity conservation in forests used for the production of forest goods and services. On the ground, ITTO has funded the establishment and/or management of a number of transboundary conservation reserves in its member countries. What lessons can be learned from those projects on transboundary conservation? In order to answer this question, ITTO and UNU-IAS started a partnership to analyze and present lessons from these projects. The analysis and recommendations presented in this report is edited by Dr Saleem Ali, Professor of Environmental Planning and Conflict Resolution at the University of Vermont and Senior Fellow at the United Nations Mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica. We hope this report will serve as a useful reference for policy-makers, professionals, and practitioners as they work to promote transboundary conservation in a sustainable way. Emmanuel Ze Meka Govindan Parayil Executive Director, Director, International Tropical Timber Organization United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies and Vice-Rector, United Nations University 6 Section 1 Introduction 1. Introduction A clear recognition that ecological systems defy political boundaries has led several international organizations to implement an “eco-regional” approach to conservation. Political borders that may divide such