SYNERGIES AMONG MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS MEAs FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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SYNERGIES AMONG MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL
AGREEMENTS (MEAs) FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

• Colombo
• 14 February 2005
• Regional Workshop on Interlinkages and Synergies
  among MEAs
• Bhujang Dharmaji
• IUCN-Regional Biodiversity Programme Asia
• bhujang_at_sltnet.lk

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• Address the complex interactions among human and
  natural systems

• One Challenge Major Options

Other instruments Biosafety, POPs etc.
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Achieving Linkages
Global MEAs, WSSD, MDGs

• National
• NBSAPs, NAPs, National Comms
• PRSPs, Annual Plans

Local Community Action
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Putting Synergies to work for Rio conventions
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Tools for Synergies

• The vehicles through which Synergies can be
  fostered includes
• NBSAPs
• NatComs
• NAPAs
• NAPs
• NSSDs
• MDGs
• PRSPs
• CSPs
• NEAP etc.

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Ecosystem Approach - A Framework for
Implementation

• Rio MEAs have agreed to use Ecosystem Approach
  for implementation of each instrument to
• Focus on functional relationships and processes
  in ecosystems
• Enhance benefit sharing
• Use adaptive management practices
• Carry out actions at the appropriate scale
• Ensure inter-sectoral cooperation

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Challenges for cross cutting assessments

• Policy overlaps and conflicts preventing
  effective implementation or co-implementation of
  conventions
• Inter-institutional coordination and synergy
• Effective technology transfer (including
  traditional knowledge)
• Improved convention negotiation capacity and
  dissemination of decisions made
• Effective awareness generation on cross cutting
  convention issues
• Good human resource management and development
  strategies.
• (Source GEF, 2004)

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Methodology constraints

• There is no single capacity assessment
  methodology / tool that can be universally
  adopted for achieving synergies among MEAs due
  to
• Levels of understanding
• Capacities to implement
• Prevailing knowledge networks

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Methodology and tools for cross-cutting
assessment

• Countries have an option to pick and choose a
  combination of methodologies that addresses
• Consultations with the line ministries and other
  stakeholders
• Reviewing the related documentation
• Compiling all relevant action plans, strategies
  and assessments
• Designing a broad frame for incorporating cross
  cutting issues
• Preparing a action plan to support
  implementation

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Sharing experience and Lessons Learnt

• Capacity building initiatives for Synergies
  between MEAs
• Policy dialogues at country and regional levels
• Information provision and networking
• Awareness raising

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Sharing experience (Contd..)

• Developed a guiding frame for mainstreaming
  biodiversity, poverty and development into
  National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)
• A publication Mainstreaming Biodiversity and
  Climate change- capturing the Synergies among
  CBD, UNFCCC and UNCCD
• Supporting NCSA implementation in Bangladesh
• Facilitating UNFCCC implementation in Lao PDR
• Working with UNEP-DEC on developing issue based
  modules for Synergies among MEAs

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IUCN contribution to the workshop

• Exchange of lessons learnt and good practice
  guidelines
• Stock-taking and problem solving through
  consultative process
• Group exercises to build capacities on cross
  cutting issues, tools and methodologies
• Building new partnerships

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THANK YOU!BHUJANG DHARMAJIIUCN-Regional
Biodiversity Programme, AsiaEmail
rao_at_iucnsl.org