SCBD, PEMSEA Sign MOU in Support of Jakarta Mandate Implementation

Manila, Philippines — The Secretariat of Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) and the Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia (PEMSEA) have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the purpose of sharing of knowledge, information, tools, and best practices in support of achieving the goals of the CBD, in particular the implementation of the Jakarta Mandate and the programme of work on marine and coastal biological diversity, through Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management.In the MoU, the two agencies mutually agree to collaborate in activities involving information exchange, case studies assessments, capacity development, and policy and advocacy.The SCBD and the PEMSEA will actively exchange information, documentary outputs and regular publications related to sustainable marine and coastal environment and biodiversity in the Seas of East Asia and the other regions, including announcements of their respective projects and achievements. Both will also maintain links in their respective websites.Case studies will be jointly conducted and assessed by both agencies to check on the effects and consequences of the implementation of Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management to the sustainable development and conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity resources in the East Asian.The MoU also stipulates that the SCBD and the PEMSEA will participate in joint or complementary trainings or capacity development initiatives and other events related to the sustainable development and conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity resources.Lastly, both agencies will explore opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation in implementing an integrated approach to biodiversity conservation using regional and global multilateral environment agreements as frameworks and platforms for multi-sectoral cooperation. Common advocacy efforts within each agency's mandates will be supported.The Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity is a global consensus on the importance of marine and coastal biological diversity. It was adopted at the Conference of the Parties (COP) meeting in Jakarta in 1995, and covers areas developed to assist in mitigating issues faced by the marine and coastal ecosystem.Representatives of the SCBD and the PEMSEA were present to sign the MoU in ceremonies last November 25, during the East Asian Seas Congress 2009 in Manila, Philippines.