MNE GEF UNDP CBD MNEC MONGOLIAN THIRD NATIONAL REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY ULAANBAATAR 2006 1 FORWORD The conservation and remediation of biological diversity and the sustainable utilisa- tion of natural resources has become the most pressing policy issue for Mongolia. Mongolia is considered ecologically vulnerable on account of its location, extreme climate and climate change. In addition, the impact of human activities on environmental sustainability is inten- sifying due to population growth and industrialisation. In 1993, Mongolia became the thirtieth country to ratify the Convention on Biological Diversity, with the Government of Mongolia further approving the National Action Pro- gramme on Biodiversity Conservation in 1996. Conservation efforts in Mongolia during the past ten years have included concrete actions such as improvements in the legislative envi- ronment, achievements in creating more favourable economic means for biodiversity con- servation, ecological assessments of endangered animal and rare plants species, the limita- tion of their inappropriate utilisation, an increase in public awareness and participation in biodiversity conservation activities, the establishment of an information database, the ex- pansion of the protected area network and the development of international and intergov- ernmental cooperation. The Government of Mongolia strategically prioritises the creation of an appropriate legal and economic environment for biodiversity conservation, strengthening its manage- ment and administration capacity, improving information dissemination and public aware- ness activities, and compiling a comprehensive environmental information database. Fur- thermore, specific activities are supported in producing endangered species inventories, quantifying the values and benefits of biodiversity, and integrating biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilisation objectives into environmental and other sector’s policy and plan- ning frameworks. To cultivate a deeper appreciation of the importance of biodiversity con- servation in society, the Government of Mongolia strives to support and cooperate with en- vironmental non-governmental organisations, and encourage public participation in conser- vation efforts. The Government of Mongolia is successfully implementing several donor- funded biodiversity conservation projects instrumental in achieving its biodiversity conser- vation objectives. It is my great pleasure to present the Third National Report on the implementation of the UN Convention on Biodiversity Conservation, developed in collaboration with the Mongo- lian Nature and Environment Consortium. Invaluable contributions from relevant line Minis- tries, non-government organisations and scientists and researchers from various profes- sional and research institutions played a fundamental role in generating this report. This National Report was produced following the set of guidelines developed by the CBD Secretariat, with responses being filled as per the requested template. The Third Na- tional Report stipulates measures that the country has undertaken to fulfil the provisions of the Convention. The Report provides information on the experience of implementing na- tional biodiversity strategies and action plans, and identifies obstacles and impediments in meeting the objectives of this Convention. We believe this report will serve as good refer- ence material for policy makers in the environment and other sectors, non-governmental organisations, private sectors and students. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my appreciation to the Global Envi- ronmental Facility and United Nations Development Programme for the financial and techni- cal support provided in producing this report. Mr. Erdenebaatar, Member of the Government, Minister of Nature and Environment 2 CONTENTS CONTENTS ...........................................................................................................3 A. REPORTING PARTY .................................................................................................5 Information on the preparation of the report ..........................................................6 B. PRIORITY SETTING, TARGETS AND OBSTACLES.........................................................9 Priority Setting .................................................................................................12 Challenges and Obstacles to Implementation .......................................................13 2010 Target .....................................................................................................15 Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) .....................................................46 Ecosystem Approach .........................................................................................63 C. ARTICLES OF THE CONVENTION ............................................................................65 Article 5 – Cooperation ........................................................................................65 Article 6 - General measures for conservation and sustainable use ............................69 Biodiversity and Climate Change.........................................................................76 Article 7 - Identification and monitoring .................................................................79 Decisions on Taxonomy .....................................................................................84 Article 8 - In-situ conservation..............................................................................89 [excluding paragraphs (a) to (e), (h) and (j)] .........................................................89 Programme of Work on Protected Areas (Article 8 (a) to (e)) .................................94 Article 8(h) - Alien species.................................................................................. 102 Article 8(j) - Traditional knowledge and related provisions...................................... 107 GURTS .......................................................................................................... 107 Status and Trends .......................................................................................... 108 Akwé:Kon Guidelines ...................................................................................... 108 Capacity Building and Participation of Indigenous and Local Communities .............. 109 Support to implementation .............................................................................. 110 Article 9 - Ex-situ conservation ........................................................................... 113 Article 10 - Sustainable use of components of biological diversity............................ 116 Biodiversity and Tourism ................................................................................. 122 Article 11 - Incentive measures........................................................................... 125 Article 12 - Research and training ....................................................................... 128 Article 13 - Public education and awareness ......................................................... 135 Article 14 - Impact assessment and minimizing adverse impacts............................. 145 Article 15 - Access to genetic resources ............................................................... 153 Article 16 - Access to and transfer of technology ................................................... 162 Programme of Work on transfer of technology and technology cooperation ............ 163 Article 17 - Exchange of information .................................................................... 167 Article 18 - Technical and scientific cooperation .................................................... 169 Article 19 - Handling of biotechnology and distribution of its benefits....................... 172 Article 20 – Financial resources ........................................................................... 175 D. THEMATIC AREAS .............................................................................................. 181 Inland water ecosystems ................................................................................. 183 Agricultural biological diversity ......................................................................... 193 Annex to decision V/5 - Programme of work on agricultural biodiversity ................ 194 Forest Biological Diversity ................................................................................ 201 Biological diversity of dry and sub-humid lands .................................................. 213 Mountain Biodiversity ...................................................................................... 217 E. OPERATIONS OF THE CONVENTION ...................................................................... 223 F. COMMENTS ON THE FORMAT ............................................................................... 224 G. LIST OF PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL REPORT................. 225 3 ABBREVIATION ADB ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK CITES Convention on Intenational Trade in Endangered Species DSS DUST AND SANDSTORM FAO FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION GTZ GERMAN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GEF GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY GIS GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM GGSPA Gobi of Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area IUCN INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE JICA JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION ORGANIZATION MNE MINISTRY OF NATURE AND ENVIRONMENT