COMDEKS

Local communities are essential agents in biodiversity conservation. They are the principal users and managers of rural landscapes—the day-to-day custodians of the diverse landscapes in which most biodiversity is found. Since 2011, the COMDEKS Programme has piloted a community-based landscape approach to conserving ecosystems and promoting sustainable livelihoods in 20 countries. Among other innovations, it has pioneered the use of Resilience Indicators as part of a participatory approach to building resilience in Socio-ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS) through community-led projects.

From 11-14 December 2017, the 21st meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (CBD SBSTTA-21) will take place in Montreal, Canada. Join us for a discussion of best practices and lessons learned related to COMDEKS contributions to the Aichi Targets, hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) and the Ministry of the Environment of Japan (MOEJ).

Title: Community Action to Achieve the Aichi Targets: The COMDEKS Programme

When: Thursday, 14 December 2017, at 13:15-14:15

Where: Room 518-C (Africa Room)

Light lunch will be provided

UNDP will use this opportunity to launch a booklet highlighting COMDEKS’ contributions to achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, as well as the critical role that local communities play in ecosystem protection and biodiversity conservation. The publication has two parts. Part 1 introduces COMDEKS and its community-based landscape approach for conserving ecosystems and biodiversity and promoting sustainable livelihoods. It outlines the rationale for why community action is vital to conserving biodiversity in rural landscapes outside of Protected Areas. Part 2 highlights how COMDEKS has contributed to achieving all five of the Strategic Goals of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and many of the individual Aichi Biodiversity Targets, showcasing a variety of best practices and results from supported projects.

Further recommended side events at SBSTTA-21 with contribution from COMDEKS

• Monday, 11 December (13:15, JUSCANZ Meeting Room): “Integrated Landscape Management in the UN Decade of Biodiversity 2010-2020 and Beyond: Achievements and Future Direction of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI)”, organized by the IPSI Secretariat along with the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, the Ghana National Biodiversity Committee and the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Nepal.

• Tuesday, 12 December (18:15, JUSCANZ Meeting Room): “Indicators of Resilience in Socio-ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes: practice on the ground and contribution to Aichi Biodiversity Targets”, organized by Conservation International and UNDP.