The first session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) endorsed the Batumi Outcome, which requested UNEP to provide the Secretariat services for the Pan-European Biodiversity Platform. UNEA has also approved the establishment of a trust fund for the Secretariat of the Platform.

In 2011, the Pan-European 2020 Strategy for Biodiversity was endorsed as the successor of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy (PEBLDS). It refocuses efforts to prevent further loss of biodiversity in the pan-European region, in line with the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, its Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020.

The 6th Biodiversity in Europe Conference held in April 2013 in Batumi (Georgia) reaffirmed the new institutional arrangement, creating the pan-European Biodiversity Platform. Now, UNEA’s decision brings more opportunities for enhancing cooperation on the basis of the Pan-European Biodiversity Platform.

During the first Steering Committee of the Pan-European Biodiversity Platform, held in Antalya (Turkey) in December 2013, the Platform’s Terms of Reference and the general objective to implement the Pan-European 2020 Strategy for Biodiversity and the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 were adopted.

The Steering Committee also endorsed the work programme 2014-2017. The text highlights the priority for the Pan-European region to enhance capacity building and technical support for the revision and implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), particularly for indicator development; integrating biodiversity and natural capital into economic and development frameworks and policies; and coordinating and strengthening MEA implementation.

More Information: thierry.Lucas@unep.org