The Convention on Biological Diversity

The ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 9)

This Year's theme is One nature, One world, Our Future. The focus will be on Agrigcultural biodivesity, A global strategy for plant conservation, Invasive alien species, Foresty biodiversity, Incentive measures, Ecosytem approach, Progress in the Implementation of the Strategic Plan and Progress towards the 2010 Target and Relevant Millennium Development Goals, and Financial resources and the financial mechanism

19th May: Affirming Life and Diversity: Rural images and voices on food sovereignty in South India launch by IIED and DDS.

IIED and DDS launched a new multimedia publication "Affirming Life and Diversity". The launch included a discussion with the women film makers, farmers and co-inquirers from Southern India, who made the films included in the publication. The video films document a long term process of regenerating biodiversity in local food systems- from seed to plate, and the importance of local institutions in reclaiming diversity and rights. The event highlighted policies and practices that were relevant for the COP decisions on enhancing the role of producer organisations in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity important for food and agriculture.
For more information, michel.pimbert@iied.org

23 May: Collective Bio-Cultural Heritage
Food Sovereignty: Small Farmers Rights & Livelihoods.

This side-event brought together researchers and indigenous organisations involved in the ‘Protecting community rights over traditional knowledge' project coordinated by IIED. They presented the findings of a this multi-country action-research project on protection of traditional knowledge and biocultural heritage. Representatives of indigenous communities from India, China, Peru discussed appropriate tools for protecting community rights to knowledge and genetic resources and its implications for Small Farmers' Food Sovereignty, Rights & Livelihoods.
The event was organised by IIED (UK), ANDES (Peru), CCAP (China) and Ecoserve (India).
This event was reported in the Earth Negotiations Bulletin-on the side, and is also available as a podcast on the CBD website
For more information, khanh.tran-thanh@iied.org

23 May: Avoiding Negative Social Impacts: Appyling the "Do No Harm" principal to conservations.

For more information, dilys.roe@iied.org

24 May: Biodiversity for Poverty Reduction Day

An exciting all-day event which attracted many people from policy makers to indigenous communities. The day explored emerging experience in linking biodiversity conservation and poverty reduction both in policy and practice. Sessions included: presentations from internationally important studies (such as the G8 Economics of Biodiversity Loss Study) to local level initiatives, with a focus on lessons learned.
The event was organised by IIED, PCLG, BfN, CBD Secretariat
For more information contact pclg@iied.org.uk or vistit www.povertyandconservation.info
See also: CBD Website