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Category: Press_releases

Published: 27 June 2022

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• Governments converge towards consensus for key elements of the Global Biodiversity Framework to safeguard nature
• Good progress made on issue of Digital Sequence Information
• A process will be developed to advance discussions before COP 15

Nairobi – 26 June 2022 – With six days of negotiations behind them, Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity advanced a global plan to bend the curve on biodiversity loss, expected to be adopted in Montreal, Canada in December 2022.

Delegates took the text from the March meetings held in Geneva, rationalized parts of it, achieved consensus on several targets, and proposed diverse options for large parts of the framework.

Parties set out their ambitions with respect to the goals of the framework, and refined the essential targets related to conservation, sustainable use, and benefit-sharing. 

They worked to develop a plan for resource mobilization and other means of implementation and highlighted the contribution of nature to climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

Parties also charted the pathway for an agreement on the sharing of benefits from Digital Sequencing Information on genetic resources. 

Their discussions also strengthened the role of Indigenous peoples, local communities, women, youth, and other stakeholders and to ensure that all voices will be heard, and no one will be left behind.

“I want to thank the Parties for their hard work, their commitment to consensus, and honest engagement in these negotiations” said Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. “These efforts are considerable and have produced a text that, with additional work, will be the basis for reaching the 2050 vision of the Convention:  a life in harmony with nature.”

“I call upon the Parties, in the next months, to vigorously engage with the text, to listen to each other and seek consensus, and to prepare the final text for adoption at COP 15” she said.

Discussions over the week covered the entire framework text, which includes 4 goals, 23 proposed targets, and all of the elements that will enable nations to meet them.  Delegates also made progress on the issue of Digital Sequence Information; a separate agenda item related to the framework.

The important four goals of the framework - A through D, were also a subject of intense discussion: 

Goal A - protecting biodiversity at all levels and preventing extinctions

Goal B - ensuring that biodiversity can meet people’s needs and support their human rights Goal C - benefits from the use of biodiversity and genetic resources are shared with equity and the traditional knowledge and rights of Indigenous and Local Communities are respected. Goal D - Adequate level of the means of implementation are enabled, including financial resources, capacity building and other supports to action.

A path for work towards COP 15 in Montreal, Canada in December 2022

Notwithstanding the important advances, a considerable amount of work will be required to advance the text for final high-level consideration by CBD’s 196 Parties at COP15.

The Meeting agreed to develop a path forward that includes the engagement of all regions preparing for talks involving all Parties immediately before the second part COP 15.  These gatherings would prepare a text for final negotiation by Ministers and their delegations at the second part of COP 15.

NOTES TO EDITORS 

Meeting documents (including Plenary documents such as CRPs and Nonpapers): 

https://www.cbd.int/conferences/post2020/wg2020-04/documents  

Recordings of the live streams of the plenary, and press events: https://www.cbd.int/live   

The upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference will be held from 5 to 17 December in Montreal, Canada, under the presidency of the Government of China. The Conference will be comprised of:

• the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological

Diversity. https://www.cbd.int/meetings/COP-15  

• the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafetyhttps://www.cbd.int/meetings/CP-MOP-10
• the 4th meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing https://www.cbd.int/meetings/NP-MOP-04

About the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 

Opened for signature in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, and entering into force in December 1993, the CBD is an international treaty for the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of the components of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the use of genetic resources. With 196 Parties, the CBD has near universal participation among countries. The CBD seeks to address all threats to biodiversity and ecosystem services, including threats from climate change, through scientific assessments, the development of tools, incentives and processes, the transfer of technologies and good practices and the full and active involvement of relevant stakeholders including indigenous peoples and local communities, youth, women, NGOs, sub-national actors and the business community. The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing are supplementary agreements to the CBD. The Cartagena Protocol, which entered into force 11 September 2003, seeks to protect biodiversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology. To date, 173 Parties have ratified the Cartagena Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies. Entering into force 12 October 2014, it has been ratified by 135 Parties. 

More information: David Ainsworth, Information Officer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Terry Collins, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Franca D’Amico, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: cbd.int   

Twitter: @UNBiodiversity 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/UNBiodiversityConvention

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/unbiodiversity  

CBD Live

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Written by Super User

Category: Press_releases

Published: 01 February 2022

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Conservation Alliance of Kenya (CAK) condemns and request National Management Environment Authority (NEMA) to revoke the license of an Agri business by KiliAvo to have an avocado farm on 150 acres of land within an important elephant corridor in Amboseli. Further the process of issuing the license be thoroughly investigated and those violating laws be charged for illegally destroying habitats suitable for wildlife.

NEMA approved an agri-business development proposal by KiliAvo to clear over 150 acres to grow avocados within a critical elephant migratory corridor connecting elephant populations between Amboseli National Park (ANP) through Kimana Elephant Sanctuary with Tsavo West National Park and Mkomazi National Reserve in Tanzania. The proposal had been rejected by NEMA in December 2019.

This plan sets a horrendous precedent that threatens to completely close the elephant connectivity of the entire Amboseli ecosystem with Tsavo West National Park and Mkomzai National Reserve in Tanzania. The decision further violates the gazetted land use management plan for the Amboseli ecosystem, ignores the recommendations of the national wildlife migratory corridors report and will increase human elephant conflict.

ANP is very fragile and home to several endangered wild animal species as well as globally important wildlife populations. Agri business in the wildlife migratory corridor jeopardizes the social and economic benefits of the communities that gave their land to sustain wildlife movement and ecosystem connectivity, and who together with partners have been pursuing eco-tourism investors.

The proposed agri-business development is going ahead despite the written objections from the local communities and stakeholders submitted to NEMA. Furthermore, the success of wildlife conservation in Amboseli ecosystem is hugely dependent on compatible land uses rather than conflicting options. Space for wildlife is rapidly shrinking due to human encroachment contributing to decline of wildlife species including the endangered and threatened species. This is a direct threat to the national wildlife economy and farms in the middle of community conservancies threaten the survival and livelihoods of the communities.

For interview requests contact Shillah Raymond on 254724283796 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Written by Super User

Category: Press_releases

Published: 01 February 2022

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The Tsavo Ecosystem is the largest protected area complex in Kenya and comprises three contiguous national parks (Tsavo East NP, Tsavo West NP, and Chyulu NP), three adjoining national reserves (South Kitui NR, Tsavo Roads and Railways NR, and Ngai Ndeithya NR), and extends across the international border into Tanzania to Mkomazi Game Reserve. It also includes adjacent community lands and private ranches. Almost 45 % of the Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA) is protected. Non-protected areas (55 % of the TCA) include extensive cattle ranches (nearly 40 % of the whole) and small-scale crop cultivation, while 2 % of the area is under large-scale sisal plantations.

The current debates by members of the County Assembly Taita Taveta (MCA’s) could jeopardize conservation gains in the Tsavo Conservation Area. The land lease agreement between the Government and the current owners of Mkuki Ranch expired in December 2019. And there seems to be a looming conflict on who should own the land. MCA’s are scheming to have ownership of this ranche revert from present owners to the chawia community. Politicians have already incited the communities to invade the ranche and there is massive logging taking place. This has sparked a campaign across the County to have ownership of selected ranches revert to the taita community. If these are allowed ownership of these ranches will revert to the local community, and end up being subdivided to individuals affecting the wildlife connectivity in the Tsavo conservation areas. Three ranches highlighted in red (map above) have been dissolved and another five – Mbale, Bura, Washumbu, Dawida and Kambanga are targeted.CAK through the Kenya Elephant Forum (KEF) and in collaboration with Taita Ecosystem Dispersal Area (TEDA) a multi sectoral initiative lead by the PS Ministry of Agriculture, Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancy Association (TTWCA), Africa Wildlife Foundation, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and SOKNOT an initiative by WWF Kenya have come together to forge a partnership with common approach on implementation of the wildlife corridors and dispersal areas report. in the Tsavo-Mkomazo Conservation Area. 

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Written by Super User

Category: Press_releases

Published: 04 November 2021

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Nairobi, Jan 31 – The Conservation Alliance of Kenya requests the organizers of the Naivasha Love Festival 2020 to move out of the Hells Gate National Park to an alternative location suitable for such events.

The three-day event dubbed the Naivasha Love Festival 2020 from the 13^th to 15^th February 2020 which has events planned inside Hells Gate National Park is unacceptable, violates laws and regulations on wildlife conservation and management and will have negative impacts on the nesting raptors and put at risk the security innocent Kenyans, and the respect for the privacy and security of the wildlife in their only habitat.

There are many suitable places in Naivasha which the organizers have already identified that are suitable for such events.

Members of the Alliance have raised critical environmental concerns with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and they have requested the organizers in writing to provide a detailed assessment of the potential impacts the proposed event to the park and the proposed suitable mitigation measures; and provide clearance/approval from Kenya Wildlife Service for the event to be undertaken within the park. The organisers are yet to provide that report and so it is illegal to continue with the event without approval.

Therefore, we are alerting the general public that the planned Koroga festival in the park jeopardizes your own safety and any neglect of existing laws and regulations for whatever reasons, shall not be compensated. Your safety is your primary responsibility. For your own safety request the organizers to identify an alternative location.

Hells Gate National Park

The Hell’s Gate National Park established in 1984 is an Important Bird Area of international significance, a breeding site and foraging site for many birds of prey, including the critically endangered Ruppel’s vultures, eagles, falcons, hawks, buzzards and owls. African buffalo, zebra, eland, hartebeest, Thomson’s gazelle and baboons are common, and home to klipspringer antelope and Chandler’s mountain reedbuck. The park attracts visitors nationally and globally for biking, bird watching, camping, game viewing, hiking and rock-climbing events contributing to Kenya’s GDP and communities’ livelihoods through employment opportunities.

Note to journalists: for more information and to arrange interviews, please contact Shillah Raymond Tel: 0724283796 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Conservation Alliance of Kenya

The Alliance is a member-driven non-profit umbrella organization for conservation Non-Governmental Organizations in Kenya with shared interests to advance the preservation, protection and management of wildlife and its habitats. The Alliance collaborates with partners to promote participation in policymaking and the implementation of proactive solutions to natural resources threats and management at all levels of governance. Learn more about the Alliance by visiting www.conservationalliance.or.ke 

Steve Itela, CEO, Conservation Alliance of Kenya