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 MEAsCBD, 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

Quick Glance at RatificationCOUNTRY CBD CITES Ramsar SPAW

Antigua and Barbuda √ √ √

The Bahamas √ √ √Barbados √ √ √ √

Belize √ √ √ √Cuba √ √ √ √

Dominica √ √ X

Dominican Republic √ √ √ √Grenada √ X √ √

Guyana √ √ X √Haiti √ √ X

Jamaica √ √ √

St Kitts and Nevis √ √ XSt Lucia √ √ √ √

St Vincent and the Grenadines √ √ X √

Suriname √ √ √Trinidad and Tobago √ √ √ √

THANK YOU