The post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework must be guided by objectives, principles and articles of the Convention
By Simangele Msweli, African Wildlife Foundation
The Convention on Biological Diversity has objectives, principles and articles enshrined in its founding documents. These are supposed to guide its work and yet, time and again they are undermined to achieve narrow interests at the expense of biodiversity and people.
For instance, while the CBD has a clear objective on sustainable use, we continue to witness attempts to dilute or eliminate reference to it. Nowhere is this more evident than in target 5 of Part 2 of the report on OEWG 3, where language with negative connotations on sustainable use is being introduced. Ironically, sustainable use requires an integrated delivery of all three CBD objectives. Therefore, any attempts to portray sustainable use as a means to overexploit biodiversity are totally misplaced and have no place in the GBF.
Article 20 of the Convention articulates the responsibility of developed country Parties in supporting implementation activities in the developing country Parties through providing financial resources and transfer of technology. Despite this, we continue to witness attempts on Target 19 to introduce language that will give increased responsibility for resource mobilization to developing countries. For example, language proposing the doubling of domestic resource mobilization, which is nearly impossible for developing countries. We are also hearing little to no commitments from developed country Parties to provide adequate funding for the post 2020 GBF.
At the OEWG 4, Parties must negotiate within the framework of the objectives and principles of the Convention, not only when it comes to sustainable use and resource mobilization, but in all areas. The CBD cannot continue to be undermined to serve self and narrow interests.
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