Convention on Biodiversity CBD COP 11

CBD COP 11 adopted 33 key decisions on a range of strategic, substantive, administrative, financial and budgetary issues. Among other issues, the meeting addressed the status of the Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (ABS); implementation of the Strategic Plan 2011-2020 and progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets; and implementation of the Strategy for Resource Mobilization. 

The eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was held from October 8-19, 2012, in Hyderabad, India, following the sixth Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP 6) on October 1-5, 2012. Approximately 6,000 delegates representing parties and other governments, UN agencies, intergovernmental, non-governmental, indigenous and local community organizations, academia and the private sector participated in the meeting. Please find below summary reports on the Biosafety and CBD meetings:

• CBD COP 11 Summary Report
• CBD COP/MOP 6 Summary Report

Trinidad and Tobago was represented at both meetings by the MEAU's Biodiversity Specialist, Dr Floyd Homer who also participated in one of the Convention's side events under the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA), which showcased "island bright spots". The event highlighted island innovations in the context of the CBD’s Programme of Work on Island Biodiversity and was co-sponsored by the Government of the Seychelles and the Government of India. Dr Homer served as Chairman of the morning session and provided technical inputs to several of the break-out groups.

Dr Floyd Homer, Biodiversity Specialist chairing the event hosted by the Global Island Partnership at CBD COP 11

Following the impressive overall package adopted at COP 10 in Japan, COP 11 marked the move from policy-making to implementation. The meeting adopted a set of decisions on items ranging from ecosystem restoration and marine and coastal biodiversity, to the Nagoya Protocol and customary sustainable use to set the groundwork for intense inter-sessional work with a focus on implementation at the national and local level. 

As a fun green way to commemorate the biodiversity conference, each participating country planted a tree in its name in the newly established Biodiversity Park in Hyderabad.

Tree planted for Trinidad and Tobago at the Biodiversity Park in Hyderabad, India!