Department of Environment Background Report on National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) of the Islamic Republic of IRAN Asghar Mohammadi Fazel Tehran - 11 July 2016

NBSAP Development Demand in Iran Iran’s commitment to the CBD (ratified in 1997) National approach to conserve biodiversity Compilation of national strategies for environmental conservation NBSAP development started in November 1998 (UNDP/GEF project)

Process for Development Secretariat setup, NSC and 4 WGs (4 CLAs, 30+ LAs, 200+ CAs) Studying other countries and their experiences Organizing national and provincial consultative workshops/meetings Developing draft Goals, Policies, Strategies and a AP wish-list Public call for review of the outcomes (200+ feedback received from governmental bodies, academia, industries, NGOs, etc. ) Finalizing the NAP by the NSC (a series of 25 actions proposed, each with some headline activities)

The Four Strategies in NBSAP Promotion of the public awareness and participation Formation of biodiversity information systems Sustainable use of biodiversity resources Integrated conservation of biodiversity *ratified by the Environmental High Council in June 2002

The Action Plans in NBSAP Developing Principles, guidelines, policies and execution procedures for preparation of development plan of formal educations in conservation of Biodiversity, Developing Principles, guidelines, policies and execution procedures for preparation of development plan of informal educations in conservation of Biodiversity, Awareness raising of specialists and other human resources in different fields of Biodiversity, Compiling and implementation of sectoral strategies in sustainable development related to biological diversity,

The Action Plans in NBSAP (continued…) Utilization plan of social institutions in conservation of Biodiversity, emphasizing promotion of awareness and strengthening of stakeholders participation, especially local communities, Comprehensive program for protection of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices related to conservation of biological diversity, Strengthening of research infrastructures related to conservation of biodiversity, Establishing and development of national biodiversity assessment, monitoring and reporting,

The Action Plans in NBSAP (continued…) Compilation of principles, policies and regulations for Biotechnology development related to Biological Diversity, Developing and strengthening of international and regional cooperation in conservation of Biodiversity issues, Developing and implementation of the comprehensive plan for trans-boundary conservation, Developing and implementation of the comprehensive plan for conservation of Agro-biodiversity, Establishment of the proper structure for coordinating NGOs activities related to biodiversity, Organizing forest and rangel and rehabilitation activities,

The Action Plans in NBSAP (continued…) Development of clean production procedures, emphasizing industrial threats on Biological diversity, Developing sustainability indicators and their application plan in biodiversity related activities, Developing and implementation of the comprehensive plan for eco-tourism, Supporting in-situ and ex-situ conservation, emphasizing on endangered species, Strengthening of Protected Areas Network,with emphasis on Aquatic Biomes,

NBSAP Timeline in a Glance Incepted in November 1998 Add-on for CHM, TK and Taxonomy (January 2001) The National Biodiversity Strategies ratified by the Environmental High Council (June 2002) NAP in the National Development Plans: article 58 of the 4th NDP (2004-2009) several articles of the 5th NDP (2010-2015/16) several articles of DRAFT 6th NDP (2016-2020) Lunching national CHM (2004)

NBSAP Mainstreaming More than 30 Training courses for the environmental NGOs and experts in all sectors Organizing 21 national consultative workshop/seminars and 100+ meetings in national and provincial levels Preparing 50+ promotional materials (posters, brochures, reports) Publication of 10 books and several scientific and technical papers

NBSAP Mainstreaming (continued…) Formation of a media support team (for production films, video clips, interviews, etc…) Supporting and organizing biodiversity related festivals, exhibitions and competitions (IDB, photography festival, cooking festival, etc.) Developing 3 GEF project draft (Zagros under implementation) Supporting the NCSA project (2006-2008) Drafting 4 National Reports to the CBD

Challenges Traditional vision on national development strategies, Governmental turns and coordination links break Sanction overshadow on environmental projects Gaps in laws and regulations, Lack of capacity building efforts for updating experts (slow reaction to the Nagoya vs Cartagena) Financial and technical deficiency

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