Improving the connections between Biodiversity, Water and Wetlands at the CBD Conference

Wetlands International is supporting recommendations to use the water cycle as a means to forge links between various targets. At the conference several decisions will be taken to support the implementation of CBD’s Strategic Plan 2011 - 2020 and Aichi Targets, adopted at the previous conference in Nagoya, Japan in 2010. Many of these targets are related to wetlands and freshwater. Adoption of Agenda Item 13.3 would make water and biodiversity a cross-cutting theme, providing a strong impetus for collective global action on behalf of wetlands conservation and wise use.

Achieving progress under several targets, for example target 11 (seeking conservation of at least 17% of terrestrial inland water areas and 10 % of coastal and marine areas), target 14 (conservation of ecosystems proving essential services including services related to water), target 6 (all fish and invertebrate stocks and aquatic plants) and target 8 (reducing pollution from excess nutrients) is critically dependent on the way in which water management improves balancing the needs of different users including wetland ecosystems and use of wetlands as infrastructure to achieve its goals.

The summary report on maintaining the ability of biodiversity to continue to support the water cycle underlines the need for a natural water infrastructure focus and points out an immediate opportunity to strengthen cooperation and partnership for natural water solutions.

Join us at these additional CBD side events:

10 October East Asia Coastal Wetlands in Ecological Crisis
18.15 – 19.45 hours, Side Event Room 4, HITEX Ground level 

This side event will showcase the ecological crisis the intertidal habitats along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway are facing, including the consequences increased habitat loss is posing to waterbird populations.

View Flyer

See also: www.south-asia.wetlands.org