The Conference of the Parties
1. Confirms that efforts to establish and maintain systems of protected areas and areas where special measures need to be taken to conserve biological diversity in line with Article 8 on in situ conservation and other relevant articles of the Convention, are essential for achieving, in implementing the ecosystem approach, the three objectives of the Convention and thus contributing to achieving the 2010 target contained in the Strategic Plan of the Convention and in the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and to achieve sustainable development and the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals;
2. Welcomes the joint NGO statement and joint NGO commitment on protected areas made at the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties by international non-governmental organizations 1/ to support the implementation of a strong programme of work on protected areas under the CBD and looks forward to receiving information on the progress made with respect to their pledge;
3. Also welcomes the outputs of the Vth IUCN World Parks Congress, in particular the message from the Congress to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and its contribution to the programme of work on protected areas;
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Annex
PROGRAMME OF WORK ON PROTECTED AREAS
II. OVERALL PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE PROGRAMME OF WORK
PROGRAMME ELEMENT 2: GOVERNANCE, PARTICIPATION, EQUITY AND BENEFIT SHARING
Goal 2.2 – To enhance and secure involvement of indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders
Target: Full and effective participation by 2008, of indigenous and local communities, in full respect of their rights and recognition of their responsibilities, consistent with national law and applicable international obligations, and the participation of relevant stakeholders, in the management of existing, and the establishment and management of new, protected areas
Suggested activities of the Parties
2.2.1. Carry out participatory national reviews of the status, needs and context-specific mechanisms for involving stakeholders, ensuring gender and social equity, in protected areas policy and management, at the level of national policy, protected area systems and individual sites.
2.2.2. Implement specific plans and initiatives to effectively involve indigenous and local communities, with respect for their rights consistent with national legislation and applicable international obligations, and stakeholders at all levels of protected areas planning, establishment, governance and management, with particular emphasis on identifying and removing barriers preventing adequate participation.
2.2.3. Support participatory assessment exercises among stakeholders to identify and harness the wealth of knowledge, skills, resources and institutions of importance for conservation that are available in society.
2.2.4. Promote an enabling environment (legislation, policies, capacities, and resources) for the involvement of indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders 11/ in decision making, and the development of their capacities and opportunities to establish and manage protected areas, including community-conserved and private protected areas.
2.2.5. Ensure that any resettlement of indigenous communities as a consequence of the establishment or management of protected areas will only take place with their prior informed consent that may be given according to national legislation and applicable international obligations.
