Parallel and Side Events Contents Page

Who pays the costs, who gets the benefits: How biodiversity can help fight poverty

Presented by the World Conservation Union (IUCN)

Faima Jibrell, Horn Relieve, explained how the loss of biodiversity in Somalia has resulted in dramatic life-style change for Somalian traditional nomad communities, and turned them into economic refugees. She stressed that for the poor, biodiversity loss means the loss of primary livelihood sources.William Jackson, IUCN, discussed interlinkages between environmental degradation, health and poverty, stressing that the poor's heavy dependence on ecosystem services means that they pay the greatest price for the loss of biodiversity. Jackson highlighted the existing polarization between conservation efforts and rural development, and failure to find "win-win" solutions. He called for reassessing the impact of conservation policies on local communities, and for reforming conservation agencies' policies.Jan Bojö, the World Bank, presented the results of a World Bank review of countries' incorporation of environmental considerations into their poverty reduction strategies, which are developed by client countries applying for World Bank funding. The review indicates that environment and biodiversity in particular are poorly recognized as constituting economic resources. He outlined the World Bank's efforts to integrate environmental considerations in the client countries' poverty reduction strategies, by inter alia: providing learning opportunities for client countries; training World Bank staff; undertaking quantitative research on poor peoples’ resource dependence; and building partnerships with other donors.Dennis Garrity, World Agroforestry Center, stressed that integrating conservation and poverty is a slow and sensitive process. He advocated a so-called "drip-feed" approach, which: identifies local needs and values; promotes long-lasting relationships with local communities; and relies on slow and careful spending of available resources, rather than large-scale investments. He underscored that many organizations cannot adopt the “drip-feed” approach because they focus on short-term results.Claude Martin, WWF, expressed concern that current poverty-related discussions do not distinguish between different types of poverty. He highlighted that defining poverty in terms of income alone is inadequate, since low-income people living in socially-intact environments should not be considered to be poor. He underscored the necessity of considering the social and cultural contexts of poverty, and noted that poverty is not merely a local problem, since it is often affected by the changing conditions in the world.

Discussion: Participants discussed a range of issues, including: deficiency of conservation policy frameworks and the need for intergovernmental organizations and NGOs to be more active in developing and implementing conservation policies; ways of reconciling benefits of the "drip-feed" approach with the need for rapid actions; the importance of moving beyond research toward actions; benefits of participatory planning; the distinction between economic, spiritual and social poverty; and the need for the applying human rights approach to conservation.

The role of biotechnology and biodiversity in sustainable development

Presented by AfricaBioDiran Makinde, AfricaBio, stressed the link between scientists and policy makers.Ben Ngubane, South African Minister of Science and Technology, noted commitment to, and long established commercial use of biotechnology in South Africa. He stressed domestic measures, including the creation of a Biotechnology Committee and called for: a cautious approach when using biotechnologies; the protection of biodiversity and related intellectual property rights; and regulation of trade.Florence Wambugu, A Harvest Biotech Foundation International, stressed the need to combine the use of biotechnology with good governance. She presented alternative markets to European ones, including preferential trade agreements with other regions and public-private partnerships. She introduced a declaration by African scientists on biotechnology released during the WSSD, which states that it is immoral for African governments to reject genetically modified (GM) foods when people are dying from hunger.Val Giddings, Biotechnology Industry Organization, explained American and European approaches to biotechnology. He identified potential reasons for Europe's opposition to GM foods, including: history and culture; attitudes towards food and multinational corporations; recent fears triggered by the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and dioxin crises; political and economic conditions; and misinformation.Klaus Ammann, Bern University, presented a comparison between genetically modified crops and organic foods. He called for a change in Europe's position towards GM foods, stressing that: research into the subject has been ongoing; organic foods have not been proven healthier or safer than GM foods; and that cross-breeding is a natural phenomenon.Laura Reischeidner, International Environmental Resources, reviewed provisions of Agenda 21 that are relevant to biotechnology, and highlighted the entry into force of the Biodiversity Convention and the conclusion of the Protocol on Biosafety.

Discussion: Participants discussed various issues, including: the need for a balanced view on GM food; food security; consumers' choice and the reasons of multinational corporations’ opposition to labelling; political commitment to biotechnology from the WSSD; capacity building and information; and bridging the gap between NGOs and industry.

Is there a business case for biodiversity?

Presented by IUCNAchim Steiner, IUCN, presented a statement from Queen Noor of Jordan, IUCN Patron, in which she stressed the responsibility of businesses and civil society in combating biodiversity loss.Fernando Alves de Almeida, Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development, highlighted the need for an adequate regulatory framework to promote investment, based on the respect of private property, intellectual property rights and free market, while giving due consideration to communities' rights. He stressed the need for ethical use of biodiversity, benefit-sharing, and transparency.Tom Burke, Rio Tinto, emphasized the importance of legal, social, and environmental responsibility of businesses, and called for greater interaction between businesses, NGOs and governments.Elizabeth Lowery, General Motors (GM), highlighted GM's efforts to promote the social and environmental components of sustainable development, including sustainable water resource management and greenhouse gas reduction. She introduced GM's hydrogen-based projects.Phil Watts, Royal Dutch Shell, stated that sustainable development makes good business sense, and can create competitive advantage if appropriately conducted. He stressed the need for partnerships, early sensitization at the national level, and encouragement of all industry actors to respect protected areas.Peter Woicke, International Finance Corporation (IFC), highlighted the IFC's environment-related activities. He recommended: caution when using subsidies; transparency; an integrated approach to investment projects; long-term partnerships; and the creation of markets for environmental services.Torsten Bartsch, Young Managers Team/Caterpillar Sarl, presented the Young Managers Initiative, which represents young business managers' views at the WSSD and strengthens links between NGOs and businesses.

Discussion: Participants addressed issues including: good governance; cooperation between all sectors of society, especially between NGOs and businesses; and creating adequate conditions for businesses.

Futures dialogue on protected areas

Presented by IUCNPeter Bridgewater, UNESCO, explained that this event would constitute a discussion on the role of protected areas for sustainable development between two debating teams of leading conservationists and South African junior rangers.Tshegofatso Monama, South Africa junior ranger, highlighted the importance of protected areas for the conservation of wild animals and of water supply for adjacent communities. He stressed the importance of research on medicinal plants in protected areas, and called for cross-border alliances on protected areas.Boitumelo Rompeng, South African junior ranger, noted displacement of local people due to the establishment of protected areas and stated that most people living near protected areas do not benefit from them. She stressed that meeting communities' needs is more important for biodiversity conservation than the creation of protected areas.Yolanda Kakabadse, IUCN, stated that protected areas should contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and benefit local communities. She called for capacity building to ensure local involvement in protected area management.Estherine Lisinge, WWF-Cameroon, noted that protected areas violate local people's land rights and do not protect biodiversity. She stated that biodiversity is better conserved by local people's traditional land management.Didimalang Ditinti, South African junior ranger, noted local communities' benefits from protected areas, and underscored the importance of protected areas to sustainable development. She emphasized the role of protected areas in conserving historical sites for future generations.Mpho Monyai, South African junior ranger, stated that protected areas break the traditional relationship between animals and humankind. He noted that communities' traditional practices for environmental protection were destroyed by western dominance, and called for community involvement in park management.Stephen McCormick, the Nature Conservancy, described protected areas as an insurance for the future and highlighted their recreational and non-monetary values. He stressed that local people should never be displaced from protected areas.Mohammed Rafiq, IUCN, noted that protected areas constitute a hollow concept, since many protected areas are insufficiently managed to secure biodiversity. He stated that protected areas tend to divert focus away from threatened biodiversity outside protected areas, and called for more consideration of community needs.

Discussion: Participants addressed: protected areas as a resource for future generations; corruption in protected area management; conservation through involvement of local communities; and review of protected area management strategies. Bridgewater highlighted the need for multistakeholder involvement in conservation and stressed that protected areas should be managed within their local context to meet the aim of biodiversity conservation as well as local needs.

Cultural diversity and biodiversity for sustainable development

Presented by the government of France, UNEP and UNESCOKoïchiro Matsuura, UNESCO Director-General, stressed that cultural diversity and biodiversity are interdependent prerequisites for sustainable development, and expressed concern over the negative impact of poverty on cultural and biological diversity. He introduced UNESCO's Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, and noted that cultural diversity is now integrated in the WSSD political declaration.Jacques Chirac, President of France, noted that globalization threatens biological and cultural diversity. He stressed the need for dialogue, cooperation and respect of indigenous traditions, and proposed an international convention on cultural diversity.Joaquim Chissano, President of Mozambique, stressed that humankind is part of nature and that the destruction of nature is humankind's self-destruction. He noted the intrinsic respect for nature embedded in traditional cultures, and highlighted domestic efforts to stimulate traditional knowledge.Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand, highlighted: the intrinsic and utilitarian value of biodiversity; the link between biological and cultural diversity; and the impact of globalization on indigenous cultures, including the difficulty for small nations to maintain their cultural identity. She suggested adding the cultural dimension as a fourth pillar of sustainable development.Massoumeh Ebtekar, Vice-President of Iran, noted that diversity is a condition of democracy and stressed the need for: recognizing the value of diversity for life and life's sanctity; reintegrating ethics and dialogue into the global agenda; and reconciling humankind with nature.Yashwant Singh, Indian Minister of External Affairs, stressed developed countries' responsibility for environmental degradation and for the loss of traditional practices. He called for allowing societies to decide on appropriate ways to develop themselves.Rigoberta Menchu, 1992 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, stated that cultural diversity is the mirror of biodiversity. Stressing economic inequalities resulting from free market approaches, she expressed regret over the loss of values that had been identified in Rio, and suggested creating an ethical code. She stressed the need for: action; timeframes; accountability mechanisms; dialogue with and participation of all stakeholders; and recognition and respect of indigenous peoples' rights.Juan Mayr Maldonado, Colombia, highlighted the role of territory as the basis for cultural diversity, and suggested protecting territories through the creation of "philosophical reservations." Arjun Appadurai, Yale University, questioned the ability of humankind to manage the planet, and called on allowing the poor to raise their voice in the development debate.

Aminata Traoré, Mali, stressed that economic realities constrain people's choices at the expense of culture and the environment. Esther Camac, Costa Rica, transmitted a message from indigenous elders who call on politicians to take more effective actions to protect the earth. She expressed satisfaction that the importance of cultural diversity is recognized and valued, and stressed the link between traditional knowledge and biodiversity protection. Camac highlighted the need for ethical values to achieve sustainable development.

Presented by the government of Brazil, the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the World Bank, and WWFAt this event, the Amazon Region Protected Areas Programme (ARPA) was launched. ARPA aims to significantly increase the area under protection in the Amazon, and to implement more effective protection measures in existing nature reserves.Claude Martin, WWF, stated that ARPA is the most significant nature conservation effort worldwide. He stressed that conservation is possible, provided that there is adequate political will, and highlighted that the initiative will ensure that conservation and the needs of peoples are given equal consideration. He announced that WWF intends to ARPA's first phase with USD 16.5 million, and called for partners to assist in providing these funds. Martin highlighted ARPA's clearly defined targets and timeframes.Mohammed El-Ashry, GEF Executive Director, stated that protected areas are the cornerstone of conservation. He highlighted the global environmental significance of the Amazon forest, and underscored its crucial role for the lives and livelihoods of its peoples. He announced that the GEF would provide USD 30 million for ARPA's first phase.James Wolfensohn, the World Bank, emphasized that the launch of ARPA is the highlight of the WSSD, and noted its importance for the world and for the people of Brazil in particular. He underscored that ARPA's success requires reaching consensus with local peoples on practical conservation measures.

Fernando Henrique Cardoso, President of Brazil, stressed that development should not result in the destruction of natural resources, and highlighted that nature protection benefits forests and people. Cardoso noted the need for building capacities of local peoples to ensure livelihoods and sustainable use of the Amazon forests. He explained that a monitoring scheme using high technology will assist in combating forest destruction, and stressed that some countries' lack of willingness to make commitments at the WSSD should not keep others from making progress.