Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution

Overview

That the Biodiversity Summit is the largest gathering of local and subnational governments at the national government focused CBD COP, is significant. These Biodiversity Summits have been the largest side events at the recent CBD COPs, and have resulted in a Declaration that has been endorsed by all the participants of the Biodiversity Summit. The Declarations, traditionally named for the host Government (see below for a history), are therefore a culmination of the thoughts and visions of local and subnational governments at a global scale. This sentiment is expected to reflect the spirit of cooperation between ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability and the Secretariat of the CBD, alongside other partners, over the past 6 years of collaboration on the Biodiversity Summit.


History

The Bonn Call for Action adopted at the Mayors Conference, Local Action for Biodiversity, the local and subnational side events at the CBD COP 9 in Bonn, Germany, in 2008, outlines the important role that local governments play in implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity. This was the first time that local governments had come together at such a global scale, with the intention of demonstrating their commitment towards cooperation and action and, at the same time, requesting support through multilevel partnerships to improve biodiversity globally.

In 2010, the Aichi/Nagoya Declaration on Local Authorities and BIodiversity was adopted at the Biodiversity Summit in Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, and appeals to the international community and national governments to support local governments in their endeavour to implement the CBD and safeguard biodiversity. The Aichi/Nagoya Declaration recognises that urbanisation is one of the drivers of biodiversity loss, and that cities are heavily dependent on the services that it provides, and notes the profound potential that cities have to affect positive change. The critical efforts by the Parties of the CBD were also recognised with regards to the development and adoption of the Plan of Action.

At the City and Subnational Biodiversity Summit in Hyderabad, India, in 2012, the Hyderabad Declaration on Subnational Governments, Cities and other Local Governments for Biodiversity was adopted. The Hyderabad Declaration reinforces the messages of the Aichi/Nagoya Declaration, and also focuses on mechanisms for the implementation of the Plan of Action.


Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution

Building on the pioneering advances that have taken place over the last 6 years, the CBD COP 12 and the Cities for Life: City and Subnational Biodiversity Summit, will focus on integrating the partnerships between local, subnational and national governments to achieve the Aichi Targets and implement the CBD. Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Korea, Gangwon Province and Pyeongchang County, and organised by ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Biodiversity Summit 2014 aims to see the Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution adopted. By extensive engagement with local and subnational governments worldwide, the Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution will be formulated to address the needs of cities and subnational governments through an integration of biodiversity and ecosystem services across other thematic areas for sustainable development. As in 2010 and 2012, the aim is for the Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution to be reported to the CBD COP 12 High Level Segment.


Option to comment

The draft of the Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution will be uploaded here when available. We would love to hear your comments, please click here to submit, or email shela.patrickson@iclei.org.