The United Nations policy process should be more open to input from youth groups, according to campaigners at the COP11 biodiversity talks in Hyderabad.

In a statement on Wednesday to the main plenary, the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) called on the 192 parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to ensure they consult youth groups while developing national environment plans.

“We are not here to ask you to fix the world’s problems for us, we are here to work with you and share the responsibility of finding solutions for achieving the Aichi targets,” the GYBN delegate said, adding: “We urge parties here to agree to include young people in the decision-making process.”

The motion, which asked all nations to establish and train youth delegations, was supported by Norway, the Dominican Republic and Gabon, and is included in the current draft text 5.4 entitled ‘The engagement of other stakeholders’. It will go to a vote in week two of COP11.

Access to UN talks for youth groups varies across different forums. Observers and accredited NGOs have access to open plenary sessions and workshops, and can occasionally make interventions, but these opportunities are limited.

In June a paragraph supporting youth participation in UN negotiations was deleted from the Rio+20 draft zero outcome text following opposition from Brazil and the G77 group of countries.

Frustration at this lack of engagement often boils over. Canadian delegates at the COP17 UN climate talks in 2011 were ejected from the main plenary after staging a demonstration, while another group walked out of Rio+20 in protest at lack of progress at that summit.

By Tierney Smith
RTCC in Hyderabad

“de-Formalizing CBD”:- Sense of Urgency is missing in CBD Process!

Convention of Biodiversity (CBD) Conference of Parties (COP-11) is being organized in Hyderabad currently where 193 countries negotiate on issues surrounding biodiversity conservation and access to biodiversity & sharing benefits there from, utilization of traditional knowledge, finance mechanism to fund conservation, etc.

The whole process is very complicated and the words are beyond comprehension of even those who work in related field. To de-formalize the process we are presenting a series called “de-Formalizing CBD” in which experts, activists, conservationists, policy makers and country negotiators interact with Indian Youth Delegation participating in the CBD COP11.

To initiate the series today we invited Neha Sinha to get a perspective on the CBD process from a young, knowledgeable person. Neha is currently working as Policy & Advocacy Officer at Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) writing regularly for their publication “Hornbill”. The excerpts of the conversation are shared below:

Continued on the link below or you can click on the headline:

http://www.iycn.in/content/%E2%80%9Cde-formalizing-cbd%E2%80%9D-sense-urgency-missing-cbd-process

GYBN kick-off conference in Berlin, August, 2012

You want to see moving pictures :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSUB9ApjY6Q
Here you are nice impressions from the kick-off conference in
Berlin, August 2012

Government of India has kindly arranged complimentary transfers at COP-MOP 6 and/or COP 11

The Government of India has kindly arranged complimentary transfers for accredited delegates (holding either a Priority Pass or the Conference Badge) attending the COP-MOP 6 and/or COP 11 meetings.

• Transfer from Airport to Designated Hotels:

Airport welcome desk will be setup and operational in both terminals (domestic & international) from 28 September – 19 October.

Hourly bus services will be provided to all delegates from airport to the designated hotels, a list of those hotels can be found on the link below.

http://cbdcop11india.in/transportation-guide.html

• Transfer from Designated Hotels to the Conference Venue (HICC):

Dedicated buses will be operational daily, mornings and evenings for the duration of the meetings from the designated hotels to the HICC. For a list of routes/timings, please check the link below.

http://cbdcop11india.in/transportation-guide.html

To assist the organisers to provide adequate number of buses, all delegates to COP-MOP 6 and COP 11 are kindly requested to provide information on flight itinerary and accommodation details by completing the online form that can be found at the link below:

http://bit.ly/RNdKut

The text of this notification is also available on the CBD website at: http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2012/ntf-2012-129-cop11mop6-en.pdf

Sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties/ COP11

As you are aware, the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, will be held from 1 to 5 and 8 to 19 October 2012, respectively, in Hyderabad, India.

The Secretariat is pleased to invite Parties to the Convention and organizations, who may wish to organize press conferences during the above mentioned meetings, to submit their request via the form available at http://bch.cbd.int/mop6/pressconf/ (regarding COP-MOP 6) and at: http://www.cbd.int/cop11/events/press-conferences/ (regarding COP 11).

Please send the duly-completed form via email to ulrika.nilsson@cbd.int (regarding COP-MOP 6) or amelie.nappert@cbd.int (regarding COP 11) or by fax at: +1-514-288-6588.

The Secretariat will send a confirmation of your request within approximately 10 working days of submission of the form. To best prepare your press conference and to ensure the smooth and efficient conduct of the media events during the meetings, it is highly recommended that all press conference organizers read the FAQs and instructions, which can be found in the above-mentioned web links.

The text of this notification is also available on the CBD website at: http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2012/ntf-2012-121-press-conf-en.pdf

Information regarding visa process for the Sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP 6) and Eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 11) - Hyderabad, India

This is to inform you about the special arrangements made with the Government of India to facilitate and speed up the visa process for the Sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP 6) and the Eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 11).

To initiate the visa process, participants must first be pre-registered to the meetings. To pre-register, Parties, other governments and organizations must provide to the Secretariat an official letter of nomination clearly indicating the names and contact information of each representative. After validation, delegates will receive an automated email message that will include: (i) a ''Priority Pass'' (to speed up the on-site registration process), (ii) a Visa Assistance letter and (iii) a Clearance letter. The visa assistance letter and clearance letter must be submitted along with the visa application, as required by Indian Embassies and High Commissions. For further information on visa requirements, please refer to the Information Note for Participants.

Participants are also kindly reminded to arrange for their hotel accommodation in Hyderabad. For more information on this, please refer to the hotel booking section on the Accommodation page of the host country website: www.cbdcop11india.in/accomodation.html.

CBD COP11

The CBD Secretariat has released an information note with a lot of very useful information on CBD COP11. 

You can download the pdf file here: http://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/cop/cop-11/other/cop-11-info-note-en.pdf

Among others the file includes information on the venue, transportation in Hyderabad during the conference, accommodation and especially the visa application process as well registration for the conference.

Exhibition space for the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties (COP MOP-6) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity

Reference is made to notification 2012-091 of 11 June 2012 regarding the exhibition space for the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties (COP MOP-6) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

I am pleased to inform you that the deadline for applications to book exhibition space has been extended to 17 August 2012. Applications should be submitted to MCI Management (COP-11 Exhibition Promotion Committee), at the following address:

MCI Management (COP-11 Exhibition Promotion committee)

Email: exhibition.cop11@mci-group.com

Tel. +91-124-4974160

Fax. +91-124-4108917

Further information regarding the Interactive Fair for Biodiversity, which will take place in the Hyderabad International Trade Exhibition Centre (HITEX) adjacent to the Hyderabad International Conference Centre, is available at:http://www.cbdcop11india.in/exhibition.html.

The text of this notification is also available on the CBD website at:http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2012/ntf-2012-107-cop11mop6-exhibition-en.pdf

GYBN kick-off meeting and structural document

There will be GYBN kick-off meeting taking place in Berlin end of August. As the number of participants was very limited and the deadline for applications is already over for a long time, I know that not all of you can participate, but we are working on some online tools at the moment, that will help all who cannot be there to follow what is going on.

We are planning to use the time there to work very intensively on a structural document of our network, which will be the basis for all the network will and can be doing. In addition we will be working on a policy paper that can be used for the COP 11.

Youth involved in environmental and biodiversity work should contribute to this! Input is collected until this Friday 13th of July.  Please note that we are going to have a call for the further work on the content this Saturday, the 14th of July.

Nagoya Protocol meeting builds momentum towards entry into force

Montreal, 6 July 2012. With a spirit of compromise and constructive engagement, Governments concluded a week-long meeting where they advanced in the preparations for the entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing.

At the second meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol (ICNP), held in New Delhi this week, some 500 delegates agreed on recommendations relating to key issues for the entry into force and implementation of the ground-breaking treaty on the use of genetic resources.

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization, agreed in 2010 at the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, will enter into force 90 days after 50 Parties have ratified it. As of today, five countries have ratified and 93 have signed.

During the meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee, Parties demonstrated their commitment to early ratification of the Protocol and their ongoing efforts to expedite the required domestic procedures to that effect. It is expected that before the end of the year a number will have completed the necessary domestic steps and formally deposited their instrument of ratification with the Secretary-General.

The Committee advanced recommendations on compliance, capacity-building, awareness-raising, a clearing-house, guidance to the financial mechanism, resource mobilization and a global mechanism for benefit-sharing in preparation for the first meeting of the governing body of the Protocol, which is expected to take place in 2014.

The Committee also forwarded recommendations regarding the Nagoya Protocol to the upcoming eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 11) which is scheduled to take place in Hyderabad, India from 8 to 19 October 2012. COP 11 will be asked to ensure that continued support can be provided for awareness-raising and capacity-building in support of ratification of the Protocol. The Committee also recommended to the Conference of the Parties that it should hold another meeting in order to complete its work in preparation for entry into force of the Protocol.

Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary to the Convention on Biological Diversity said: “Parties have demonstrated that they are committed to bringing the Nagoya Protocol into force. Their discussions over the week were constructive and they advanced on the key issues that will need to be agreed by entry into force of the Protocol.”

He added that: “During the week, a number of Parties also communicated the status of ratification, and indicated that they are working with all speed to enable the legislation and policies that are needed to ensure ratification.”

In-session documents of the meeting, including recommendations for adoption, are available at:

http://www.cbd.int/icnp2/in-session/

Indian NGO Forum for CBD (INFC)

Preparation Meeting for CBD COP11

July 1, 2012 New Delhi

Organisations represented

WWF, Fishermen Support Centre, UN Universities, International University Network, Bern Declaration, Kalpvriksh, Rainfed Livestock Network, PondyCAN, Conservation International, IYCN, BNHS

Agenda of the meeting

1.   Who is going to track negotiations?

2.   Getting on the same level as those representing NGOs or organisations from outside India here in Delhi to participate in ICNP-2

3.   Discuss practicalities of COP11 in Hyderabad

Discussion Points

1.   Expectations from Indian NGOs

The expectations from Indian NGOs will be to support foreign NGOs before and during COP to gain insight into the NGO world of India; organise coordination meetings of all NGOs wherein main issues are discussed and controversies are flagged; access to certain Indian government people is provided; COP is a good opportunity to network and build capacity - local NGOs can help here.

2.   NGOs with expertise

Those NGOs who have expertise and strength in one or more area of Biodiversity Conservation should be approached to make briefing notes for other organisations regarding this area of negotiations as well as help reach a collective consensus or position so as to be able to make a point during the negotiations.

3.   Lobbying

Indian NGOs together with international partners should make a good lobby with the Indian government and other key countries; preparation before CBD is a must.

4.   Issues at CBD, Hyderabad

a)   Cartagena Protocol is 20 years old so the Risk Assessment Procedure is from 1990s.
b)   There has been debate about how to do also socio-economic risk assessment than just science-based. At Hyderabad, we will know if this issue will be buried or will governments sponsor socio-economic expert group for assessments.
c)   There is a sub-protocol under Cartagena which is very condensed but establishes principles of Liability Redressal if there is a calamity. A mechanism for this protocol is required.
d)   There is a debate on who can file a complaint if a company from one country is found involved in Bio-piracy (Compliance & Complaint mechanism). Nagoya Protocol is unique as it gives rights to both countries and indigenous people so they can file a complaint. The idea of Ombudsman could be re-introduced.
e)   The debate on Articles 8j and 10c can affect Nagoya Protocol.
f)    IPR issue is not liked by many delegates of countries such as European nations as they are from environment background, so it will be good to talk to them during COP.

5.   Action Days

October 2^nd and 16^th are kept as Action Days for NGOs to participate

6.   Side Events and participation by civil society

The space for side events is very expensive and the venue is not very appropriate for organising actions around it during COP. Still Indian NGO forum and international partners should talk to Ministry of Environment to subsidise the prices for space at venue and encourage participation of community groups and civil society such as farmers group. Their participation is very important.

Side Events and other follow-up after this meeting

Side Events are being organised by Conservation International, Rainfed Livestock Network, Kalpvriksh, Bern Declaration, International University Network, Fishworkers Support Centre, WWF
 

It will be nice if there are no blocks at the venue and people are free to move around, talk to each other.

A letter will be written to Ministry of Environment to subsidise the space and allow participation by civil society.

A meeting of all CBD Alliance members present in New Delhi is to be organised this week.

COP-MOP 6, COP 11 in Hyderabad, India

Reference is made to the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties (COP-MOP 6) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity to be held from 1 5 October and 8-19 October, respectively, in Hyderabad, India.

  

The Hyderabad COP 11 CBD Promotion Committee has created an information web page for exhibitors at the above mentioned meetings. The Interactive Fair for Biodiversity will take place in Hall 2 at Hyderabad International Trade Exhibition centre (HITEX), adjacent to the Hyderabad International Conference Centre, venue for COP-MOP 6 and COP 11. All details related to the fair can be found at the following link:http://www.cbdcop11india.in/exhibition.html

  

Environmental protection is a high priority for COP-MOP 6 and COP 11. The aim is to avoid negative environmental impacts as much as possible during the whole conference, including side-events and exhibitions. Therefore, exhibitors are requested to commit to the environmental requirements when designing and operating their exhibition stands.

  

Participating governments and organizations wishing to book exhibition space are invited to submit their applications, no later than15 July 2012, to the MCI Management (COP 11 Exhibition Promotion Committee), the focal organization designated by the Secretariat of the Government of India for CBD-COP-11, by e-mail or by fax; at the following coordinates:

  

MCI Management (COP 11 Exhibition Promotion Committee)

Email: exhibition.cop11@mci-group.com

Tel: +91-124- 4974160

Fax: +91-124-4108917

  

Any request received after the deadline will not be considered. Any enquiry related to these exhibition stands should be sent toMCI Management (COP 11 Exhibition Promotion Committee).

  

The text of this notification is also available on the CBD website at:http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2012/ntf-2012-091-cop11mop6-en.pdf

GYBN Kick-Off Meeting

The deadline for the application for the GYBN Kick-Off Meeting is approaching quite fast. So please don't miss this opportunity and apply until May 10th! www.naju.de/english/gybn

The focus of the Kick-Off Meeting will lie on the establishment of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network and the preparation of youth participation at COP11. The goals of the conference are to determine e.g. the structure, mandate and coordination etc. of GYBN and to develop plans and political targets for meaningful youth participation at COP11.

The idea behind GYBN is to create a global youth network that unites young people and youth organizations from all parts of the world and all walks of life through one common goal: To halt the loss of Biodiversity as soon as possible!

The GYBN

Join the Global Youth Biodiversity Network -
apply now for your ticket to Berlin!

The idea behind GYBN is to create a global youth network that unites young people and youth organizations from all parts of the world and all walks of life through one common goal: To halt the loss of Biodiversity as soon as possible!GYBN's mission is to provide a global platform to get in touch with each other and have the opportunity to join forces for the protection of biological diversity on our planet. GYBN also aims to become the international coordination platform for youth participation in the CBD and is committed to bring the opinions and positions of youth into the negotiations. It is officially supported by the CBD Secretariat.

From August 21st to 27th 2012 NAJU (German Youth Association for the Protection of Nature) will host the GYBN Kick-Off Conference in Berlin and bring together 35 young environmentalists from all parts of the
world to establish the global youth biodiversity network.

Biodiversity loss doesn't stop at national borders! This is your chance to get connected with like-minded young people and youth organizations from all over the world. Be a part of the solution and help to halt the loss of Biodiversity.
Application
The number of participants is strictly limited and will be selected according to the application.
Please fill in the questionnaire on:www.naju.de/english/gybn
Deadline
10th of May 2012
Fee50,00 EURO (Board and lodging will be provided. Up to 75 % of the travel costs can be reimbursed after handing in the original tickets. )
Contact
Juliane Rosin, Juliane.Rosin@NAJU.de
NAJU im NABU
Charitéstr. 3
10117 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)30 284 984 1924
Fax: + 49 (0)30 284 984 2900www.NAJU.de/english/gybn

The gybn kick-off conference will be funded by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz, BfN).

Logo gybn kick-off conference: Gigih Septianto, Daniel Henkel

Invitation for project submission for the Third International Youth Symposium for Biodiversity- India

Image with the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license

In October 2012, the Third International Youth Symposium for Biodiversity will be held in Auroville, Tamil Nadu, India. The purpose of the symposium is to welcome students from around the world, and to celebrate the local biodiversity work they are doing in their home countries. The Auroville symposium will take place prior to the 11^th Conference on Parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity, which will be held in Hyderabad, India from October 8 – 19, 2012.

The Auroville Biodiversity Youth Symposium is open to students from around the world. In order to participate in this symposium, students are required to carry out a biodiversity study project in their respective home countries. In line with the key issues that will be discussed at the Conference in Hyderabad, student biodiversity proposals can be on any of the following themes:

1. Local biodiversity – Terrestrial or Aquatic

2. Biodiversity and Livelihoods
3. Role of cultural practices and tradition on biodiversity
4. Effect of non-indigenous species on local biodiversity
5. Cycle of cause and effect between human activity and biodiversity
6. Urban biodiversity

All biodiversity study projects should ideally incorporate the following elements:

1. Field work and/or practical data collection – please visit the website:
http://www.sprise.com/shs/habitatnet.aspx?id=5386 for help
2. Scientific/theoretical approach
3. Creativity and personal expression

Guidelines for participation

The overall guidelines for participation/submission of projects for the Auroville Biodiversity Youth Symposium are:
u Eligibility: students from Grades 8 to 12 (ages 14-19)
u The proposal should include:
u A 150-250 word abstract that includes information regarding the project and how it relates to conserving “Global Biodiversity”.
u How the project will be implemented (techniques to be used)
u General time line over 6 months
u The location of the project
u The email address of the project
u Proposals must include: names of students and ages, teachers/ leaders, schools or group name, and contact information (phone & email or postal address).
u The deadline for the submission of proposals is February 20th, 2012.

General Information:

1) Submissions by conventional mail or email are to be sent to:
Chali Grinnel, Symposium for Biodiversity Coordinator

Future School
Auroville 605101
Tamil Nadu
India
EMAIL: futureschool@auroville.org.in

2) All proposals will be reviewed by a panel of experts. Students will be notified of their acceptance to the symposium by March 10, 2012.

3) Information regarding any available funding to participate as well as logistics will be provided to all ACCEPTED proposals.

4). For QUESTIONS contact any of the coordinators at their emails below:

Chali Grinnel- chali@auroville.org.in

Erin Kenny- enkenny@hotmail.com

Once the applications have been processed, and the delegates determined for the symposium, team leaders will be asked to process their payments.

Partnership forged between Japan Committee for the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Kanazawa, Japan, 20 December 2011– The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Japan Committee for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCNJ) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a view to promoting greater awareness amongst civil society organisations in Japan and abroad and join forces for the successful implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Targets.

The MoU, which was signed in Kanazawa City, Japan, on 19 December 2011 at the margins of the official launch of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, was also endorsed by Communication, Education and Public Awareness Japan (CEPA Japan) and the Japan Civil Network for the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (JCN-UNDB).

The agreement highlights the crucial role civil society plays in implementing the Nagoya Biodiversity Compact, and contributes to the success of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity and the Aichi Targets. It also stresses the importance of working together with international partners in order to raise awareness of civil society and to better support conservation and biodiversity action at the local level. It must be noted that the very idea of a United Nations Decade on Biodiversity was generated by the Japan civil society.

Through the MoU, the signatories—Mr. Masahito Yoshida, Chair of IUCNJ, Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Mr. Masahiro Kawatei, Representative of CEPA Japan, and Mr. Susumu Takayama, Representative of JCN-UNDB—agreed to cooperate in several areas, including in the development and global dissemination of communication and outreach materials on biodiversity and in mobilizing the commitment of local government, private sector, youth, academia and civil society organizations through, inter alia, the Niju-maru campaign.

The Niju-maru is a campaign led by the Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement International, in close collaboration with CEPA Japan, which encourages commitment by Japan-based stakeholders to the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. “Commitment of all sectors is required in order to achieve Aichi Biodiversity Targets by 2020. I believe that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the CBD Secretariat and Japan Committee for IUCN today will mobilize the participation of all sectors through outreach programme including the Niju-maru project and CEPA,” said Masahito Yoshida.

 

Ahmed Djoghlaf said: “The Japan Civil Network played a key role in supporting the designation by the United Nations General Assembly of 2011-2020 as the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity. By reiterating their commitment today and by coordinating their efforts, IUCNJ and its partners are demonstrating the sincere will of civil society to take action to reach the goals set by the international community.”