XI/3. Monitoring progress in implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets

A. Indicator framework for the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets The Conference of the Parties

1. Welcomes the report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Indicators for the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020, as well as the work of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Inter-sessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions on the development of indicators relevant to traditional knowledge and customary sustainable use;

2. Expresses its gratitude to the European Union for its financial support for the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Indicators for the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and to the Government of Canada, the European Environment Agency, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom for their support for the International Expert Workshop held from 20 to 22 June 2011 in High Wycombe, United Kingdom, in support of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Indicators for the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020;

3. Takes note of the indicative list of indicators available for assessing progress towards the goals of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets as contained in the annex to the present decision (decision XI/3) and recognizes that these provide a starting point for assessing progress in the achievement of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 at various scales;

4. Recognizes that the indicator framework, consisting of the five Strategic Goals and twenty Aichi Biodiversity Targets in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020 and the indicators to assess progress towards their achievement, provides a flexible basis for Parties which can be adapted, taking into account different national circumstances and capabilities;

5. Agrees that those indicators in the annex to this decision that are ready for use at global level and denoted by the letter (A) should be used as part of the mid-term review of progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets; 

6. Invites Parties to prioritize the application at national level of those indicators that are ready for use at global level where feasible and appropriate, and also invites Parties to use the flexible framework and the indicative list of indicators, inter alia in their updated national biodiversity strategies and action plans and in reporting, including in the fifth national reports, as far as possible, and in subsequent national reports;

7. Encourages Parties and other Governments, as appropriate and taking into account their particular conditions and priorities, to contribute to, update, verify and maintain relevant national data in regional and global data sets, as a contribution to optimizing and coordinating the production of indicators, and to promote the public availability of the data;

8. Decides that the indicator framework for the Strategic Plan should be kept under review with a view to enabling the future incorporation and/or revision of relevant indicators developed by Parties and other Conventions and processes that are relevant to the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020;

9. Recognizes the crucial importance to humankind of centres of origin and centres of genetic diversity;

10. Recognizes the need to strengthen technical and institutional capacities and to mobilize adequate financial resources for the development and application of indicators and monitoring systems , especially for developing country Parties, in particular the least developed countries, small island developing States and countries with economies in transition;

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Annex

INDICATIVE LIST OF INDICATORS FOR THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR BIODIVERSITY 2011–2020

The Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Indicators for the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 identified three categories of operational indicators. Indicators which are ready for use at the global level are denoted by the letter (A). Indicators which could be used at the global level but which require further development to be ready for use are denoted by the letter (B). Additional indicators for consideration for use at the national or other sub-global level are denoted by the letter (C) and given in italics. The set of (A) and (B) indicators are those which should be used to assess progress at the global level, while the (C) indicators are illustrative of some of the additional indicators available to Parties to use at the national level, according to their national priorities and circumstances.

To view the entire table, please refer to page 5 of the decision.