Advancing conservation targets in South Asia

Kathmandu: Target 3 of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework calls to ensure and enable at least 30 percent of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, are effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative, well-connected, and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) by 2030. Central to this commitment is the recognition of indigenous and traditional territories, which involves respecting their rights over their ancestral lands.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework has 23 action-oriented global targets for urgent action over the decade to 2030. It was adopted by 195 countries in December 2022 at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Achieving Target 3—area-based conservation for biodiversity, ecosystem function, and services—is considered by international scientists as the minimum to conserve and protect if we want to succeed in halting and reversing biodiversity decline by 2030. Experts also point to the importance of achieving conservation objectives within those areas, hence the significance of connectivity, effectiveness, and respecting and recognizing the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

This week, scientists, conservation managers, youth, women and representatives from Indigenous Peoples and local communities gathered in Kathmandu to explore ways to meet the Target 3. The four-day capacity building workshop for the South Asia subregion, was organized by ICIMOD with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD), the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People.

The workshop discussed ways for South Asian countries to achieve their commitments under Target 3 and related targets of the Framework, including developing national priority actions to enhance progress towards achievement of the target and highlighting essential tools to support Target 3 implementation, such as the 30×30 Solutions Toolkit and the HAC 30×30 Matchmaking Platform aiming at identifying countries needs and match them with appropriate technical and financial assistance offers. 

Additionally, the workshop discussed opportunities for transboundary cooperation through ‘Other effective area-based conservation measures’ (OECMs). These are areas that are achieving the long term and effective in-situ conservation of biodiversity outside of the protected areas network. OECMs are an opportunity for inclusive conservation by recognizing the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and their traditional knowledge. It is also an opportunity to conserve biodiversity-rich areas beyond boundaries and promote regional cooperation among stakeholders in the region. 

Speaking at the concluding session, Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri highlighted Nepal’s commitment and successful efforts in conservation. He emphasized the need to focus on innovative approaches, and strong partnerships and cooperation at local, national and regional scales. He underlined the need to implement National Plans to sustainably manage biodiversity and enhance resilience. He highlighted the efforts made by the country, ICIMOD, other stakeholders and sections of society, including Indigenous peoples and local communities, in achieving its conservation goals for sustainable development.

Target 3 is a qualitative target

While Target 3 main indicator is the quantitative measure of the coverage, in order to be successful, Target 3 needs to be a qualitative target. The workshop emphasizes that this global target is met through “…ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, recognizing indigenous and traditional territories where applicable…and respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, including over their traditional territories.”

OECMs offer a promising approach to reverse biodiversity loss and achieve large-scale conservation targets outside the formal protected areas network. They are defined as “A geographically defined area other than Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and other locally relevant values” (CBD, Decision 14/8, 2010). 

Q”apaj Conde Choque from the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) emphasized on both qualitative and quantitative elements of Target 3. “One key outcome that came out of this workshop is that the successful implementation of Target 3 should be premised on both qualitative measure that truly recognize the contributions of all in addition to the quantitative measure that remains important in assessing the progress in meeting this Target,” he said. “This dual consideration will ensure that the efforts of all are recognized and accounted for, including equitable governed systems”. 

Transboundary Conservation Cooperation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (TCC-HKH) is a collaborative project between ICIMOD and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The project aims to promote transboundary cooperation through OECMs in a manner that is inclusive of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the region. The main objective of the TCC-HKH is to strengthen regional cooperation among the countries and stakeholders, including organizations and networks working for conservation in the region, by identifying and promoting transboundary OECMs in the region, advocating for policy uptake, and establishing a regional OECM network.

Dr Sunita Chaudhary, Biodiversity Lead at ICIMOD, highlighted the importance of regional cooperation. “Transboundary OECMs present a great way to achieve conservation at scale and bring countries together to contribute to global conservation goals. We have laid a strong foundation for this through our work in the region.”