Review of Strategies and Action Plans to Preserve Biodiversity in the Countries of West Asia in the Context of the Convention on Biological Diversity PDF

Keywords

Conferences of the parties, Convention, Planning, Nagoya, Cartagena, Aichi.

Abstract

The research aimed at revealing some of the features of the biodiversity planning process in the countries of West Asia by comparing the content of national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) developed in the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The preparation mechanism of the strategies and States’ compliance Documents with the provisions of the Convention were also analyzed. of )NBSAPs( were obtained from the Secretariat of the CBD and the official websites of the concerned countries. Cluster analysis of NBSAPs objectives showed average similarity of 89.8% among NBSAPs of countries in the region and an average of 94.3% between NBSAPs objectives and the convention’s. Number of strategy objectives differ among strategies, nevertheless, similarity exists in preparation mechanism and strategies references. NBSAPs are characterized by the weaknesses of public participation and a notable absence of the role of the private sector. The setup process was limited in some countries to a team of few technicians and limited consultative mechanisms. Sectoral planning dominated most of NBSAPs processes and strategies were mostly dependent on external funding. Common objectives of NBSAPs were similar as they include; pursuing biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Goals of the strategies varied among NBSAPs in terms of distribution and relation to the objectives of the convention, which formed the basis for the formulation of the objectives of NBSAPs. Economic tools were absent in valuation of biodiversity and the implications of its degradation. Furthermore, the goals of the NBSAPs were not linked to other national strategies goals, thus activities of synergistic nature were not materialized in the plan of work. Use of well defined indicators Institutional, administrative, regulatory, inadequate was absent too. financial resources and shortages of experts were the most common obstacles faced planning process. It is suggested that integrated planning that enables wide public participation and ecosystem based approach, which insures integration of development strategies, as well as inclusion of classified indicators be adopted in the preparation and formulation of the second generation of NBSAPs in the countries of the region.