Island and Ocean Ecosystems

The agenda for the one week also includes the Strategic Plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity or the "Aichi Target", the new global plan to save the biodiversity of the world and includes a number of ambitious targets.000921

This includes a commitment to halve, and where feasible, bring close to zero the loss of natural habitats and also to protect 17% of terrestrial and inland water areas and 10% of marine areas. Also included are measures to control invasive species and to increase awareness of the values of biodiversity.

It is important to note that there will be additional opportunities for training workshops which will be provided by the CBD Secretariat.

"The targets are within our reach as the Pacific region has worked diligently to protect our unique biodiversity. The "Aichi Target" will help us strengthen our conservation work across the Pacific," said Easter Galuvao, SPREP's Biodiversity Adviser.

"We can boast the Phoenix Islands Protected Area (PIPA) in Kiribati - the largest marine protected area on earth - now a World Heritage Site. In our Pacific region we also have the Micronesia Challenge, a commitment by the Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Palau, Guam and the Northern Marianas to conserve at least 30% of the near-shore marine resources and 20% of the terrestrial resources across Micronesia by 2020."

On Tuesday a panel from the Micronesia Trust Fund will share their experience in planning to implement the outcomes of the CBD COP 10 in Nagoya.

Related link: Bionesian blog