Validation workshop on National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
Sri Lanka became a signatory to Convention on Biological Diversity on 1992 and the Convention was ratified in 1994. In 1994 Sri Lanka formulated a Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable use of Biological Diversity and, in 1996, prepared a Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan (BCAP) under the title of Biological Conservation in Sri Lanka. It was approved by the Cabinet in 1998. Under the COP 10 decision on CBD, Ministry agreed to Develop National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in line with the Aichi targets. This programme is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) under the “National Biodiversity Planning to Support the implementation of the CBD 2011-2020 Strategic Plan in Sri Lanka”. The NBSAP is the principal instrument for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity at the national level. The Convention requires countries to prepare a National Biodiversity Strategy (or equivalent instrument) and to ensure that this strategy is mainstreamed into the planning and activities of all those sectors whose activities can impact biodiversity.
The final draft report validates on 07.06.2016 at the Sri Lanka Institute of Administrative and Development (SLIDA) under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary (E&P) Ministry of Mahaweli Development and Environment.
National Workshop on NBSAP – Dealing with Synergies, SDGs and Financing was organized by the Biodiversity Secretariat on 8th & 9th August 2016 at Galadari Hotel, Colombo-01. More than 50 participants from public sector and private sector organizations, CBOs, NGOs and IPLC participated.
Workshop discussed three main concerns of Sri Lanka,
- Linking SDGs with NBSAPs based on the workshops and expert advice
- To prepare a strategy and action plan on promoting synergies among seven biodiversity related conventions and treaties, namely CBD, CITES, CMS, IPPC, WHC, Ramsar and ITPGRFA
- Develop a financing strategy for implementing the above action with technical inputs from UNEP
The workshop was jointly organized by the Biodiversity Secretariat, United Nations Environment Programme and South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme.
