Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

Under the Micronesia Challenge, RMI has achieved a 15 per cent target for terrestrial conservation and a 20 per cent target for marine conservation areas [ ] 153 The power of local knowledge A number of existing plans and initiatives address components of the country’s biodiversity targets, in particular the national conservation areas plan. Responses by RMI include the participation of community and the development of financial ar- rangements. This is in line with Aichi Target 20, resource mobilization, and Targets 17 and 18, communi- ty participation. Aichi Target 1 on awareness-raising is included as a key activity of local officers working with communities on threatened species. In addition, education and awareness are built into the community-based fisheries and resource management planning, including the Rare Pride campaign (utilization of charismatic flagship species to build local pride) and Just Act Natural (raising aware- ness on cultural and natural heritage through theatre). The Coastal Management Advisory Council (CMAC) in 2006 is one of the strongest mainstreaming tools employed by RMI, comprising a cross-sectoral working group of peo- ple from a range of organizations, all with a common interest in the con- servation, development and manage- ment of coastal and marine resources. The structure of CMAC ensures that resources are maximized and that everyone is aware of who is working where and with what community. One of the components of the Convention on Biological Diversity is the use of living modified organisms, which is also covered under interna- tional agreements such as the Inter- national Treaty on Plant Genetic Re- sources and the Cartagena Protocol. A comprehensive legislative review of this issue in Marshall Islands found many deficiencies, but provided some clear recommendations on how these could be addressed with the existing national framework. The review recommended the development of a National Biosafety Framework with several components, including a coherent Government policy, regulatory regime, permitting system, monitoring and enforcement regime and public awareness, educa- tion and participation programme. It highlighted the importance of working with other sectors including public health, agriculture, biosecu- rity, customs, legal and fisheries. A cross-sectoral framework was further recommended as a mean of oversee- ing biosafety development in RMI. This included the central role being spearheaded by the Quarantines Research and Development section, with oversight by the Environment Protection Authority, Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority and Office of Environmental Plan- ning and Policy Coordination. There are plans to establish a working group with support from the cabinet. The Marshall Islands Marshall Islands T he people of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) have a strong bond with the land and sea and the species associated with these ecosystems. For example, the forests provide ecosystem services such as stabilizing the soil and providing habitat for endangered and endemic animals. The inhabitants of RMI are also accomplished seafarers, navigators and fishermen. Traditional fishing practices remain in use today, but many are being lost, along with in-depth understanding of the sea and its creatures. The country’s Aichi Biodiversity Targets draw on the deep knowledge and traditional practices of local communities. Christopher Michel on Wikimedia Commons