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 MEAs
CBD, 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 2010
Synergies 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
Ratification
COUNTRY
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
√
√
X
St Lucia
√
√
√
√
St Vincent and the Grenadines
√
√
X
√
Suriname
√
√
√
Trinidad and Tobago
√
√
√
√
THANK YOU