National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Convention of Biological Diversity Biosafety

1. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Convention of Biological Diversity Biosafety Rahul A Chand National Coordinator NBSAP Department of Environment Suva, Fiji Islands

2. Department of Environment Project Unit Established Unit Funded by Waste and Pollution Control National Ozone Unit UNDP / UNEP National Capacity Self Assessment Environment Impact Assessment UNDP Environment Management Act Resource Management Unit NBSAP Add on UNDP Climate Change MESCAL IUCN Awareness CDL UNDP Information Technology Second national Comm. UNEP ADB Climate Change

3. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Convention of Biological Diversity ( CBD) • The Objectives of the Convention: • The conservation of biological diversity; • The sustainable use of its components; and • the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including access to genetic resources and the appropriate transfer of technology • Background • Fiji signed the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992 and ratified in 1993. • FNBSAP was finalized in 2007 and implements the CBD objectives at national level. It identifies six(6) strategic framework for biodiversity management. • The Implementation Framework 2010-2014 translates the NBSAP into a practical management priorities through 39 strategies identified under seven (7) key thematic areas for the next 5 year period.

4. CBD • Objective: Conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources • Main programs: • NBSAP Implementation Framework 2010-2014 • 7 thematic areas of focus • Technical committees • Partnership with NGOs/CROP agencies • International Year of Biodiversity • Regional, international and COP meetings • Challenges

5. The aim of the FNBSAP The aim of the FNBSAP is to conserve and sustainably use Fiji’s terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity, and to maintain the ecological processes and systems, which are the foundation of national and local development. NBSAP recognizes the value of Fiji’s ecosystems for the following: - climate regulation-disturbance regulation- water regulation and supply- erosion control and soil formation- biodiversity preservation- nutrient cycling- waste treatment- food production

6. Focus Areas for NBSAP • Community Support – awareness, involvement and ownership • Improving our Knowledge – TK and research • Developing Protected Areas • Species Conservation • Management of Invasive Species • Capacity Building and Strengthening • Thematic areas for NBSAP IF 2010-2014 • Forest Conversion Management • Invasive Alien Species - FIST • Inshore Fisheries • Coastal Development - ICMC • Species Conservation - • Protected Areas - PAC • Inland Waters – Wetlands Steering Commit

7. NBSAP add on Project • Funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) • UNDP to manage the funds and undertake monitoring • and evaluation in each quarter • Department of Environment to implement activities under the project • Project is for two years. • Annual work plan to show outcomes that would reflect the concerns at national level. Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing Policy in Fiji ( Main ) and The add-on will assess the capacity building needs of Fiji to implement and update NBSAP and fulfill its commitment to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity ( CBD). Specifically the scope of this request will be country driven project to establish and utilize a national CHM to further disseminate and share biodiversity information.

8. MESCAL Objective: To increase resilience to climate change for the coastal communities in Fiji, through adaptive co-management of mangroves and associated ecosystems. Main Program: • Revive the Fiji Mangrove Management Committee • Demo site to pilot climate change adaptation, governance, mangrove co-management and monitoring scenarios. • Assist in Policy and legislative frameworks for ICMC and mangrove management in Fiji

9. Challengers / Problems • Staff Retention ( Shortage - Project staff and Volunteers for continuity, experiences and exposure of these staff and quality of service • Funding for Activities – Projects finish work finish…??? • Internal Mechanism: Payments, delivery of outputs, HQ, Accounts etc. • Recommendations: • Staff Retention: salaries upgrades, absorb project staff in established positions, volunteers to be given priority for new recruitments. • Funding for Activities –So Funding opportunities are looked at and secure funds for work to be continued and if needed Government assistance based on needs priority, • Internal Mechanism: Department of Environment to have its separate accounts.

10. Other Obligations under CBD • Monitoring and identification of biodiversity - • Environment impact Assessment – EIA Regulation 07 • National Strategies – NBSAP formulated • The integration of biodiversity policy into relevant sectoral or cross sectoral plans, programmes and policies • NBSAP Steering committee in place • CITES compliance – species focused • Ramsar Convention – habitat focused Vinaka