2 Workshop results — Sharing experiences

2.3 Summary of Key Issues Raised in Plenary Presentations

2.3.2 Implementation of biodiversity policy

Weakness in implementing biodiversity policy was consistently raised as a major concern in improving biodiversity management. It was recognized in all countries that national governments have been unable to effectively implement the Articles of the CBD. In some cases, efforts have been described as apathetic — lacking full political support, and lacking co-ordination. Participants acknowledged that biodiversity conservation, as a "stand-alone" policy, might not adequately trigger the politicians' interest: linking the issue to development is therefore a paramount necessity. One area with weak implementation is inadequate forest protection. This was highlighted as a major factor contributing to deforestation and could be attributed not only to poor resources, but also to misguided approaches, often of a command and control nature, without consulting local communities. Under-developed technical skills in biodiversity assessment and management were cited as a fundamental problems inhibiting implementation in all the countries. A poor knowledge base and understanding of biodiversity and its different roles in ecosystem management, human welfare, and how projects and policies affect it, exacerbate the problem and prevent a more assertive form of collective action from taking place. An effective mechanism for acquiring more information is environmental impact assessment (EIA). However, land-use decisions rarely consider EIAs resulting in production-oriented goals and actions taking an unwarranted amount of priority. Control and the lack of disbursement of resources expected from international bodies, for developing countries to implement the CBD has been a bone of contention among national implementing agencies.

The Ethiopian delegation pointed out that research could play important roles in removing obstacles to implementation in two ways. First, by determining mechanisms for the implementation of the biodiversity conservation policy, and second, by identifying new policies relevant to conservation of biodiversity.