On Friday, 31 March, WG-I Chair Jebb suggested to revert to the original wording of the SBSTTA recommendation 11/8 (deep seabed genetic resources). Norway preferred requesting the Executive Secretary, in collaboration with the UN Division on Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea, to “further collate and analyze information on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction and the threats to it,” rather than “further analyze and explore options for preventing and mitigating impacts of some activities to selected seabed habitats”, as in the SBSTTA-11 recommendation. Many delegates expressed reluctance to reopen the wording of the SBSTTA decision at this late stage, and Australia suggested introducing a footnote highlighting COP-8 further consideration of the relationship between the CBD and UNGA and referring to the draft recommendation on marine PAs beyond national jurisdiction. Norway expressed disappointment that COP-8 had not engaged in any substantive discussions on marine genetic resources, thereby reserving the right to introduce a footnote into the document and make a statement in plenary for inclusion in COP-8 report.

Australia , supported by Argentina , suggested text noting that parties are at different stages in developing marine and coastal management frameworks and that integrated marine and coastal area management (IMCAM) can assist in informing these existing processes where relevant. Supported by many, the EU suggested inviting funding agencies to enter into partnerships with developing country parties according to their national priorities.

Above photos L-R: Linus Spencer Thomas (Grenada) and Elaine Fisher (Jamaica); Susan Jones (Australia) and Claudio Gutierrez (Argentina)

WG-II addressed a draft decision (CRP.15), including bracketed language on synergies between the Rio Conventions to increase the effectiveness of financial resources. Presenting a compromise reached following contact group negotiations, Mexico suggested that the in-depth review of the availability of financial resources explore options on how the synergy among the financial mechanisms of the three Rio Conventions can be promoted, taking fully into account the respective guidance and priority of their respective COPs, and each Convention’s scope and mandate, while ensuring the integrity of resources available to each convention throughout its respective financial mechanism. WG-II then approved the draft decision.

Above photos L-R: WG-II Chair Sem Shikongo consulting with Valerie Normand and Dan Ogolla of the CBD Secretariat; CG chair on Budget Osita Anaedu (Nigeria); Hadil Fontes da Rocha Vianna (Brazil), Tewolde Berhan Egzhiaber (Ethiopia) and Henrique Choer Moraes (Brazil); 

Plenary elected by acclamation Fernando Casas (Colombia) and Tim Hodges (Canada) as Co-Chairs of the Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing, to preside over the negotiations of the international regime on access and benefit-sharing.

Above photo: Timothy Hodges (Canada) and Fernando Casas (Colombia)