The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Timor-Leste (2011-2020) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Timor-Leste (2011-2020) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Timor-Leste was prepared by the National Biodiversity Working Group coordinated by the Ministry of Economy and Development with support from the United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility. October 2011. Vision By 2020, Timor-Leste’s biodiversity and ecosystems are conserved and wisely used by all sectors, providing food security and contributing to poverty eradication and improved quality of life of Timorese people. Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ vii Acronyms and Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................................................................................xv Chapter 1.0 Setting the Context: The Wealth of Biodiversity and Drivers of Biodiversity Loss in Timor-Leste .....................................................................................................................................2 1.1 Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................................................................2 1.2 The Wealth of Biodiversity in Timor-Leste ........................................................................................3 1.2.1 Understanding Biodiversity .....................................................................................................................3 1.2.2 Globally Signifi cant Biodiversity and Ecosystems in Timor-Leste .................................................................................................................................................................4 1.3 Drivers of Biodiversity Loss .........................................................................................................................................5 1.4 Policy Framework and the Governance of Biodiversity in Timor-Leste................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 1.4.1 Policy Framework .................................................................................................................................................. 11 1.4.2 Governance of Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management ................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Chapter 2.0 The Biodiversity Strategy .......................................................................................................................................................... 20 2.1 Vision ............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 2.2 Guiding Principles Governing the Strategy ................................................................................... 20 2.3 Priority Strategies and Targets ............................................................................................................................. 21 Chapter 3.0 The Action Plan: National Actions to Achieve the Targets, Capacity Development Plan and Partnership Strategy ......................................................................................... 26 3.1 National Actions to Achieve the Priority Targets and Strategies ............. 26 3.2 Capacity Development Plan for Biodiversity: Building a Cadre of Conservation Practitioners and Experts in Timor-Leste ........................................... 33 3.2.1 Action Plan for Capacity Development ........................................................................... 35 3.3 Partnership Strategy ............................................................................................................................................................... 38 Chapter 4.0 The Implementation Plan: Coordination Mechanism, Clearing House Mechanism on Biodiversity and CEPA Strategy ............................................................................. 42 4.1 NBSAP Coordination and Implementation Mechanism ........................................... 42 THE NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN OF TIMOR-LESTE (2011-2020) v 4.2 Clearing House Mechanism of Timor-Leste: A Platform for Learning and Sharing Knowledge on Biodiversity ............................................ 45 4.3 Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Strategy ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 50 4.3.1 The CEPA Strategy and Action Plan for Timor-Leste ............................. 51 4.3.2 CEPA Action Plan – Framework ................................................................................................. 53 4.3.3 CEPA Action Plan – Specifi c Activities ........................................................................... 54 4.3.4 Implementing the CEPA Strategy and Action Plan .................................... 60 References/Literature Cited ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 61 Annexes A.1 The Natural Environments, Biodiversity and Ecosystems in Timor-Leste ................ 67 A.2 Biodiversity Policies: Forestry, Coastal and Marine, Water Resources and Climate Change ............................................................................................................................................................................................100 A.3 NBSAP Activities and Aichi Targets .......................................................................................................................................109 Table 1. Identifi ed Problems, Issues and Threats by Ecosystem and Their Proposed Solutions ....................................................................................................................................................................7 Figures 1. Major Elements Recommended for the Successful Implementation of a national CHM ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... 46 2. Proposed National CHM Website Design for Timor-Leste .................................................................. 48 3. Expanded Structure of the National CHM Website for Timor-Leste .................................. 49 vi THE NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN OF TIMOR-LESTE (2011-2020) Executive Summary his National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) is Timor-Leste’s guiding Tframework to conserve its biodiversity and serves as safeguard in achieving the country’s development agenda in the next two decades. The NBSAP is closely anchored on the National Strategic Development Plan (SDP) of Timor-Leste (2011-2030). It is consistent with the country’s other sectoral policy frameworks such as the National Adaptation Programme of Action on Climate Change (December 2010), the National Action Programme to Combat Land Degradation (February 2009), the Fisheries Sector Plan and the Forestry Sector Plan. The NBSAP is also a guiding policy framework for district and sub-district authorities, civil society and the private sector in their approaches to biodiversity conservation and ecosystems management. The success of implementing the Strategy involves close coordination among the key directorates of government concerned in biodiversity conservation and natural resources management, relevant economic sectors of the government, and with the private sector. It also involves updating of current programmes and setting priorities for programming and funding. Development Vision of Timor-Leste The SDP (2011 – 2030) is a 20-year vision that refl ects the aspirations of the Timorese people to create a prosperous and strong nation, and covers three key areas: social capital, infrastructure development and economic development. It envisions Timor- Leste to have joined the ranks of upper-middle-income countries by ending extreme poverty, eliminating the economic gap with the emerging economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and fostering a democratic and environmentally sustainable society, by 2030. The SDP specifi cally envisions the restoration of a strong bond between the Timorese people and their environment and the sustainable management of the natural resources and environment for the benefi t of all. It includes also the protection of biodiversity, key habitats and ecosystems. The NBSAP comes at an opportune time to serve as a roadmap to achieve the environment and sustainable development targets of the SDP. Timor-Leste as