Much of the work of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is not headline-grabbing and involves things like gap analysis, assessments, strategic action plans and capacity-buildingtraining governments in the use of certain databases, for instance.
One such project that falls into this category is Support to eligible countries to produce their 6th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
“Some of our work might seem dull to outsiders but it’s nevertheless vital for shifting the needle on matters environmental, says Antony Kamau, a UNEP programme officer working on the project. It also provides vital data for national planning and is the primary resource for global assessments on the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the Convention on Biological Diversity is dedicated to promoting sustainable development. Conceived as a practical tool for translating the principles of Agenda 21 into reality, the Convention recognizes that biological diversity is about more than plants, animals and micro-organisms and their ecosystemsit is about people and our need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment in which to live.
The project provides technical and financial support to developing countries, small island states and countries with economies in transition to report on progress in achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and their associated National Biodiversity Targets, in accordance with Article 26 of the Convention.
In addition to facilitating financial support from the Global Environment Facility, UNEP collaborates with other partners to provide tailored technical assistance and develop tools that enhance the acquisition of quality, scientifically sound data for improved reporting.
These tools include guidelines and a resource manual on reporting, guidance materials on stakeholder engagement and gender, and specific platforms developed for the use of biodiversity indicators and spatial data, such as the UN Biodiversity Lab. This support extends also to capacity-building workshops and webinars to help countries better use these data and tools and interpret the Convention’s guidance materials for improved reporting.
Over the past few years, and as a result of this support, the quality and timely submission of national reports has improved, says Kamau.
© United Nations Environment Programme