Training and Networking Session on Technical and Scientific Cooperation and the Clearing-House Mechanism in the Context of the UN CBD
About
Featuring contributions by experts and representatives from a great variety of organisations and national contexts, the event aimed to provide a forum for increasing the knowledge dissemination on TSC- and CHM-related topics and to facilitate dialogues between TSC experts and practitioners.
Organisers
Course content
The KM GBF Monitoring Framework and the Reporting Challenge
- Camille Guibal (French Foundation for Research on Biodiversity)
- Han de Koeijer (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences )
- Tom Mason (UNEP-WCMC)
- Hilary Goodson (GBIF)
- Yelena Finegold (UN Food and Agriculture Organisation)
- Catherine Numa (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
- Violeta Munoz-Fuentes (UNEP-WCMC)
- Andrew Gonzalez (GEO BON)
The objective of this session is to describe the methods, scenarios and tools available to Parties to assist them in monitoring the implementation of the global framework and, ultimately, in preparing their reports. Several organisations share their experiences and tools as part of this effort.
The presentations at a glance:
1. Last Updates from the SBSTTA-27 and the IAG-TSC and Reminder of KM-GBF Steps and Processes
The aim of this presentation is to provide an overview of the latest UN CBD meetings concerning scientific and technical cooperation issues. An overview of the discussions at SBSTTA-27 and the latest IAG-TSC meeting is presented.
2. Methodology, Tools and Scenarios to Help Monitor and Evaluate Pathways to the Implementation of the KM GBF
The aim of this presentation is to provide an overview of the work carried out in the context of WP3 of the project, presenting scenarios and existing and/or developing methods to assist parties in monitoring the implementation of the KM-GBF.
3. Identifying and Managing Biodiversity Data and Developing Indicators: Presentation of a Few Tools to Respond to These Challenges (roundtable; five presentations)
This roundtable centres around a dialogue between various actors involved in scientific and technical cooperation, each taking turns to present the tools they have been able to deploy and make available to the Parties to help them identify relevant data, manage it and use it in monitoring the implementation of the KM-GBF.
Presentations
Introduction to and Exchange of Experiences on the 7th UN CBD National Report
- Pierre Spielewoy (French National Museum of Natural History)
- Erie Tamale (UN CBD Secretariat)
- Han De Koeijer (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences)
- Isuf Fetai (Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning of North Macedonia)
- Jessica Tax (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature of the Netherlands)
- Hayley-Bo Dorrian-Bak (Joint Nature Conservation Committee)
The objective of this session was to introduce the reporting process within the UN CBD, to review its framework and to present the tools and concrete experiences of countries in terms of reporting.
The presentations at a glance:
1. What is UN CBD Reporting? Definitions, Key UN CBD Decisions, Timeframe
The purpose of this presentation is to outline the legal framework for reporting as defined by the text of the Convention and to reiterate its objectives and timetable.
2. How to Report? The Online Reporting Tool, Presentation of the Key Features, Exchanges of Experience and Helpdesk. Perspective from the Secretariat and from a User.
After a general presentation of the tool, the aim of this showcase is to give the opportunity for a user to talk about their experience with the tool as well for the Secretariat to explain in detail the different sections and steps involved in getting started with the tool so that the audience would have the means to employ it independently.
3. National Reporting under the UN CBD: Experiences and Lessons Learned from Previous Reporting Cycles
The presentation offers an overview of national reporting contributions in the UN CBD framework. It introduces decisions related to national reporting, methods, and mandates. Finally, it describes the structure of the NR7, potential challenges for this reporting period as well as good practices and lessons from previous reporting phases.
4. Countries' Experiences and Q&A with the Secretariat and Other Relevant Organisations (roundtable; three presentations)
Three countries present their experiences in developing NBSAPs and the 7th reporting period of the UN CBD, highlighting best practices and challenges for each.
Presentations
Introduction to the Clearing-House Mechanism and Technical and Scientific Cooperation
- Pierre Spielewoy (French National Museum of Natural History)
- Erie Tamale (UN CBD Secretariat)
- Hendrik Segers (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences)
- Julien Hortonéda (Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions)
The objective of this session was to introduce the CHM, define it and present its role and functions, first in the context of the UN CBD, and then in light of other experiences in relation to other convention processes.
The presentations at a glance:
1. Technical and Scientific Cooperation and the CHM
The presentation focuses on the framework of the UN CBD’s Technical and Scientific Cooperation, its processes and mechanisms (the key definitions at play). It thus specifies the role of TSC in the UN CBD landscape. Then, it presents the CHM and its relation to TSC introducing the relevant CBD Decisions. Finally, it provides information on how the global CHM interacts with national CHMs.
2. The UN CBD Clearing-House Mechanism: Overview and Current Programme of Work
The presentation introduces the different CHM platforms existing as part of the UN CBD and its Protocols (Central CHM Portal, BCH, ABS). It explains the possible use of the Bioland Tool in that context. Finally, it presents the CHM Programme of Work for the period 2024-2030.
4. Building a CHM for BBNJ
The presentation focuses on the process and challenges in developing a CHM in the context of an emerging convention framework: the BBNJ Convention. It presents the preliminary steps and reasoning behind the establishment of such tools (modalities for operationalisation, technical aspects).
5. Joint Clearing-House Mechanism of the BRS Conventions
The presentation outlines the process of creation behind the joint Clearing-House Mechanism in the context of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions. It provides information on its background (including the related legal terms and strategies), its definition and scope. Finally, it offers information on how it currently operates.
Presentations
The Bioland Tool and Clearing-House Mechanism Network
- Erie Tamale (UN CBD Secretariat)
- Han De Koeijer (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences)
The objective of this session was to continue the discussion begun on the practical functioning of the CHM in the context of the UN CBD, first by presenting the core of its information system, the Bioland tool, and then by placing it in the broader context of scientific and technical cooperation activities, particularly its link with the emerging regional Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support Centres (TSCCs).
The presentations at a glance:
1. The Bioland Tool for National Clearing-House Mechanism Portals
The presentation introduces the relevant UN CBD COP Decisions for the establishment of the Bioland tool to support the development of national CHM activities. It especially focuses on the emerging Bioland tool 2.0 and its functioning.
2. The CHM and the TSCCs Centres: Complementarity in General and in the Context of the KM GBF Reporting and Monitoring (presentation to be added)
The purpose of this presentation is to outline the differences and complementarities between two scientific and technical cooperation processes under the Convention: the CHM and the TSCCs.
Presentations
Documents
Role and Support by Technical and Scientific Cooperation Centres
- Jorge L. Ventocilla (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences)
- Erie Tamale (UN CBD Secretariat)
- Giacomo Montereale Gavazzi (Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity; Joint Research Centre of the European Commission)
- Frank Wugt Larsen (European Environment Agency)
- Brian MacSharry (European Environment Agency)
- Carla Danelutti (IUCN Med)
- Ana Cristina Cardoso (European Commission)
- Maria Luisa Paracchini (Joint Research Centre of the European Commission)
- Ioanna Grammatikopoulou (Joint Research Centre of the European Commission)
- Alessandra La Notte (European Commission)
The objective of this session was to present the stages of development of TSCCs at the global level, the context in which they were created and how, particularly at the European level, they are beginning to structure their actions.
The presentations at a glance:
1. Reminder of the Context, UN CBD Decisions on TSCCs
The presentation provides insight on the UN CBD TSC landscape (Global Coordination Entity, Regional TSC Centres, IAG TSC), and its scope. It also highlights the contribution of TSC in reaching the KM GBF targets. Finally, it circles back to the latest UN CBD Decisions related to TSC.
2. Updates on the Operationalisation of the Technical and Scientific Cooperation Mechanism
This presentation focuses on the establishment of the TSCCs Global Entity, which is hosted by the Secretariat. It provides an overview of the TSCCs, the landscape of competence distribution, and how the TSCCs will articulate their roles and activities.
3. The European Subregional Technical Scientific Cooperation Support Centre
This presentation introduces the steps involved in structuring the network of European TSCCs, particularly around the EC Knowledge Centre on Biodiversity. It then explains the coverage and objectives of the EU's Sub-regional Centre for Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support, as well as its current activities.
4. Presentation of the Knowledge Hubs in Europe (roundtable; three presentations)
The three presentations focus on the Knowledge Hubs created to work on Target 3, 6 and 11 of the KM-GBF. It introduces the objectives of the Knowledge Hub and the partnership behind its activities. Subsequently, the showcase introduces these structures' possible contribution to advancing the implementation of the KM GBF.