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EVENT REPORT 17–19 DECEMBER 2011 KANAZAWA, ISHIKAWA, JAPAN Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011–2020 Prepared by the United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace May 2012 Prepared by the United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace Participants observe a traditional community agricultural site at Shiroyonesenmaida Rice Terraces, Noto. Contents EVENT REPORT 17–19 DECEMBER 2011 KANAZAWA, ISHIKAWA, JAPAN Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011–2020 3 Executive Summary 4 Background Prepared by the United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace nt Programme 5 Eve ?? March 2012 Prepared by the United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace Event Report Global Launching of the 10 Three-day Event Report United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 10 Day 1 (17 December 2011) 2011–2020 10 Event 1: Commemorative Ceremony 17 Event 2: Reception 18 Day 2 (18 December 2011) 18 Event 1: International Workshop: Acknowledgements National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans The United Nations University would like to express our gratitude to the 28 Workshop Participants Ministry of the Environment Japan and 29 Event 2: Commemorative Forum the Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity for their generous support in the organization of this event. 30 Day 3 (19 December 2011) We would also like to acknowledge 31 Excursion 1: Noto the contributions of the participants 31 Excursion 2: Kaga by their attendance, to which we are grateful. By providing us with their 31 Excursion 3: Kanazawa expertise and experience it has not 31 Excursion 4: Kanazawa only made the event a success, but has demonstrated the global commitment to conserve biodiversity. This report was prepared by: United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace 5-53-70 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925, Japan Tel: +81-3-5467-1212 Fax: +81-3-3499-2828 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://isp.unu.edu Please visit the above website for proceedings in both English and Japanese, as well as electronic versions of the presentations. 1 EVENT PROGRAMME Participants observe an example of a green economy business model through effective local management of natural resources. Abbreviations and Acronyms ABS Access and Benefit Sharing CBD Convention on Biological Diversity COP Conference of the Parties EU European Union GEF Global Environment Facility GIAHS Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems MEAs Millennium Ecosystem Assessments NBSAP National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan SBSTTA Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice TEEB The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity UNDB United Nations Decade on Biodiversity UNGA United Nations General Assembly UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNU United Nations University 2 Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Executive Summary A vision of a future life in harmony with nature is possible if Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological the world takes action now. The United Nations Decade on Advice (SBSTTA), academics, NGOs, and the private sector Biodiversity (UNDB) was launched in Kanazawa, Japan, on 17 in attendance. The three sessions consisted of presentations December 2011, in a commemorative ceremony organized by followed by discussions on the following topics: “Preparation the United Nations University (UNU), in collaboration with and updating of NBSAPs in line with the Strategic Plan for the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, Kanazawa City, Biodiversity 2011–2020”, “Effective Means for Mainstreaming Ishikawa Prefecture, and the Secretariat of the Convention on NBSAPs”, and “Enhancing International Cooperation on Biological Diversity (CBD). Biodiversity and the Satoyama Initiative”. A commemorative The global launch of the United Nations Decade on forum to raise awareness of and encourage participation in Biodiversity counted on the participation of United Nations biodiversity was also held in the morning. agencies, Parties to CBD, and representatives of all levels of On 19 December, the final day of the event, excursions government in Japan. The three-day event also included a to various sites in Ishikawa Prefecture were held to provide workshop on National Biodiversity Strategies and Action examples of Japanese efforts towards biodiversity conserva- Plans (NBSAPs), a commemorative forum, and excursions. tion, sustainable usage of natural resources, green economy The idea of declaring 2011-2020 to be the United Nations business models, and traditional Japanese methods for liv- Decade on Biodiversity was initiated by Japan and endorsed ing in harmony with nature such as satoyama and satoumi. at the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP), Highlights of the excursions were the Shiroyonesenmaida held in Nagoya, Japan, in October 2010. It was then formally Rice Terraces in Noto, which along with Sado were the proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly at its first sites this year in Japan to be designated as a Globally 65th session. The UNDB builds on the achievements of the Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) site; successful celebration of the 2010 International Year of Ishikawa Zoo, which is one of four crested-ibis-breeding sites Biodiversity. It aims to implement the first Aichi Biodiversity in Japan for this endangered species; and Kamoike, which is Target of the Strategic Plan on Biodiversity 2011-20201, a wintering spot for waterfowl that has been registered under namely to ensure that by 2020 all the people of the world will the Ramsar Convention. be aware of biodiversity and its value. During the three days of events, major recurring themes The events opened with a commemorative ceremony with were recognition of developing diverse NBSAPs among over 600 people in attendance, with speeches from various countries and the need for cooperation, the integration of international organizations. biodiversity into development policy that also takes into At the welcome reception, the Ishikawa Declaration was account local communities’ needs and stimulates action at introduced to promote “living in harmony with nature”, the local level, advancement of understanding of the green the concept of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and concrete economy, with the engagement of all sectors, and spreading actions to achieve these targets in the international com- public awareness of this pressing issue. Since the next 10 years munity on the occasion of Rio+20 in collaboration with will define the future state of biodiversity on Earth, the next other stakeholders. decade will be crucial for preventing the permanent loss of On 18 December, the second day of the event, an all-day many species of life on Earth. The time to act is now, and the international workshop on NBSAPs was held with over 60 protection of biodiversity can only be truly realized with the participants from United Nations organizations, government active participation of each and every one of us. UNU and our officials, host countries of NBSAP regional workshops, the partners will continue in our efforts of to contribute to the representative of the President of COP 11, the Secretariat of protection of biodiversity though our various research and CBD, Bureau members of CBD/COP, Bureau members of the education activities. 1. Biological diversity underpins ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services essential for human wellbeing. It provides for food security, hu- man health, and clean air and water; it contributes to local livelihoods and economic development, and is essential for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, including poverty reduction. In addition, it is a central component of many belief systems, worldviews, and identities. Yet despite its fun- damental importance, biodiversity continues to be lost. It is against this backdrop that the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, in 2010 in Nagoya, Japan, adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 with the purpose of inspiring broad-based action in support of biodiversity over the next decade by all countries and stakeholders. The Strategic Plan comprises a shared vision, mission, strategic goals, and 20 ambitious yet achievable targets, collectively known as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The Strategic Plan serves as a flexible framework for the establishment of national and regional targets and it promotes the coherent and effective implementation of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity Global Launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020 3 BACKGROUND Background At the 10th meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Through its role as the “think-tank” of UN organizations, Biological Diversity (CBD/COP 10)‒Biodiversity Summit, the research and outreach activities of UNU in the area of held in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, many important deci- conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, e.g., sions, inter alia, the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 the Satoyama Initiative, has been working closely with the and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Secretariat of CBD and the Japanese Government to achieve the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their the objectives of the Convention. In addition, 2011 is desig- Utilization (ABS)1, were adopted to provide the foundation nated as