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United Nations Environment Programme
  • Overview
  • Background and expected outcomes
  • Presentations

The Western Balkans are home to some of Europe’s richest areas with regards to natural habitats, biological diversity, karst landscapes, lakes and rivers. However, the region’s unique natural habitats suffer from ecosystem degradation and fragmentation, due to drivers such as rapid urbanization, climate change and pollution. 

The Balkans Nature Talks Conference therefore brings together stakeholders, including policymakers, donors, and the offices of UN Regional Coordinators, to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration on biodiversity conservation actions. The event also aims to establish how National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans are aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework. 

When: 09:00 - 16:15 on 10 and 11 October. 

Where: Vienna International Conference Centre.

View the programme here. Click here to join the event online.

Background

The Western Balkan (WB) region retains some of Europe’s richest areas with regards to natural habitats, biological diversity, karst landscapes, lakes and rivers. With a host of valuable ecosystems, and a high degree of endemic fauna and flora, the Western Balkans comprise the southernmost part of the European Green Belt which encompasses a network of protected areas with a unique array of wildlife and plants. Despite the importance of this region for European biodiversity, its biodiversity is increasingly under threat from rapid economic development in the region. The region’s unique natural habitats are suffering from ecosystem degradation and fragmentation, due to drivers such as rapid urbanization, climate change and pollution. For these reasons, there is an urgent need to protect the biodiversity of the Western Balkans, including through accelerating efforts towards the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).  

The adoption of the GBF (also known as Biodiversity Plan) in 2022 significantly raised the ambition of the international community to protect biodiversity. The Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), which will take place in Cali, Colombia, 21 October - 1 November 2024, will be the first Biodiversity COP since the adoption of the GBF. During COP16, governments will review the progress made towards the implementation of the GBF, including the level of alignment of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with the GBF.  

Expected outcomes  

  • Present global and regional trends, tools and actions for biodiversity conservation,  
  • Present and discuss how National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) are aligning with and supporting the achievement of Global Biodiversity Framework targets,  
  • Inception meeting to present the project “Experience Exchange between Central Asia and Western Balkan on climate change informed wildlife conservation and ecosystem-based adaptation”,  
  • Discuss challenges in implementation and enforcement, but also showcase good cooperation practices on biodiversity conservation and sustainable management,   
  • Hear about other related initiatives and discuss funding opportunities,  
  • Engage with RCOs on mainstreaming nature and biodiversity conservation aspects into the new Common Country Analysis (CCAs) and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (UNSDCFs) cycles.  

 

Session 1

1.1 UNEP Programme of Work on Biodiversity Conservation and One Health: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46395

1.2 UNEP Biodiversity Conservation Activities in the Western Balkans: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46396

1.3 Funding Global Biodiversity Framework Action: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46397

1.4 Mainstreaming Biodiversity into the Common Country Analysis and Cooperation Frameworks: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46399

1.5 Green Agenda for the Western Balkans – Status of Implementation: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46393

 

Session 2

2.1 Global Biodiversity Framework - UNEP-GEF Early Action Support Project: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46411

Session 2.2 Ministries (four presentations)

2.3 Harnessing Kunming-Montreal GBF Mechanisms to Protect Mountain Biodiversity: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46398

2.4 Implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework through the Carpathian Convention: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46412

2.5 Biodiversity Task Force of the Western Balkans: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46413

 

Session 3

3.1 Central Asian Mammals and Climate Adaptation: Enhancing the Conservation of Flagship Migratory Mammal Species of Central Asia through Climate-informed Management and Decision Making: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46414

3.2 Central Asian Mammals and Climate Adaptation - Enhancing the Conservation of Flagship Migratory Mammal Species of Central Asia through Climate-informed Management and Decision Making: New Addition - Experience Exchange Between Central Asia and Western Balkan on Climate Change Informed Wildlife Conservation and Ecosystem-based Adaptation: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46415

3.3 General Overview and PAs Corridor Management: Experiences from Kyrgyzstan: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46416

3.4 EEA’s activities in the Western Balkans: TRATOLOW and EU4Green: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46417

3.5 Overview of the Initial Legal Assessment of Chapter 27 for the Western Balkan: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46418

3.6 Crimes that Affect the Environment: Challenges and Responses: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46419 

 

Session 4:

4.1 BIOFIN: Creating Sustainable Finance Solutions for People & Planet:  https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46421

4.2 Increased Management Effectiveness of Protected Areas and Enhancing Connectivity Conservation: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46424

4.3 Balkan Nature Talks Conference Session 4: Tools and Mechanisms for Biodiversity Conservation - Ecosystem Services Valuation, Challenges and Opportunities: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46422

4.4 Land utilization and ecosystem services valuation for forest and grasslands ecosystems in the pilot sites in the north-western part of North Macedonia: https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/46420

 

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