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Why harmonised reporting?. Thera Edwards. WHAT IS HARMONISATION?. Harmonisation can be considered as any activity that leads to a more integrated process and greater potential for sharing information.
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Why harmonised reporting? Thera Edwards
WHAT IS HARMONISATION? • Harmonisation can be considered as any activity that leads to a more integrated process and greater potential for sharing information. • Any activity that makes processes easier, more efficient, more effective or easier to implement
HISTORY • The Environmental Management Group (EMG)*in January 2001 discussed the harmonisation of national reporting and agreed to establish an Issue Management Group (IMG) – Decision 3 • UNEP was invited to serve as task manager • EMG – chaired by Exec Dir UNEP and includes specialised agencies, funds, programmes of the UN systems and the MEA Secretariats
HISTORY con’t • Note prepared by the Exec. Dir. of UNEP on “Harmonisation of Information Management and Reporting for Biodiversity-related Treaties” was discussed at subsequent EMG meetings • This note had a number of recommended actions
HISTORY con’t • Several MEAs have provisions for collaboration with other conventions • CBD: Articles 5 & 24(d) • UNFCCC: Articles 7.2(l) & 8.2(e) • UNCCD: Articles 8.1 & 23(d) • Framework is set for collaboration
HISTORY con’t– COOPERATION BETWEEN BIODIVERSITY MEAs • Biodiversity* related MEAs • Joint Programmes of Work • Memoranda of Understanding • Memoranda of Cooperation • Joint scientific activities *Biodiversity MEAs CBD, CITES, CMS, WHS, Ramsar
RENEWED COMMITTEMENT TO HARMONISATION • 2010 Biodiversity Targets not met • Declines in ecosystems, species and genetic diversity • Increase in protected areas, protection of threatened species • IEG need for synergies between Biodiversity-related MEAs
IEG RECOMMENDATIONS • Improved coordination among and effectiveness of MEAs • Pilot projects for improved national reporting mechanisms
NORDIC SYMPOSIUM 2010Synergies in the biodiversity cluster • Harmonisation of reporting • Joint information management and awareness raising • Capacity building, compliance, funding and review mechanisms
HARMONISED REPORTING INITIATIVES • Ghana – Linking National Report to State of Env. process • Indonesia – Identification of common modules (approach of CHART) • Panama – Regional support mechanisms for national information management • Seychelles – Consolidated national report for several MEAs(CHART)
RATIONALE FOR HARMONISED REPORTING • Number of MEAs has increased, hence number of reports as well other information submissions creating a reporting burden • However, reports are critical: • Help to assess progress of implementation • Contain specific information • Can lead to further study for identified issues • Concerns however about information sharing/transmission • Information contained in a report to one MEA may prove of benefit to another MEA secretariat
REPORTING DOCUMENTS • National Reports • Annual Reports e.g.CITES • Thematic Reports • Protected Areas • Invasive Alien Species • Genetic resources • Global Taxonomy Initiative • Forest and Mountain Ecosystems
CHALLENGES TO HARMONISED REPORTING • Data scattered • Poor Coordination within countries • Low Capacity • Reporting cycles different for MEAs(1-6 years) • Different Terminology • Differing signatory/ratification status for countries
BENEFITS OF HARMONISED REPORTING • Time and resources better utilised • Better quality of reports due to more efficient use of resources (human and otherwise) especially in resource challenged SIDS
HARMONISED REPORTING • Coordination among national focal points • Common definitions and terms • Core Report with additional convention specific reports • Joint reporting on specific themes
CONCLUSION • A logical progression in the history of cooperation between MEAs • Many attendant benefits; not without challenges • A platform for further integration towards common goals between Biodiversity-related MEAs
