1. Belgian Presidency of the European Union
2010: The International Year of Biodiversity
and
the Belgian EU Presidency

2. Overview European Multilateral
Possible Communication on the Post 2010 Strategy/Action Plan on Biodiversity
Multilateral
ABS 9bis, 10-16/7
UNGA HLS Biodiversity 22/9
CBD COP10, 18 – 29/10

3. 1. EU level – EU Biodiv Strategy
Council conclusions 15/03/2010
- EU 2050 vision, 2020 mission
Preparation of framework for EU Biodiv Strategy post 2010:
- Focussed targets (esp. on drivers of biodiv loss)
- Integration in internal/external sectoral policies
- Baseline + indicators, measures and means
- Coherence with outcome COP 10
 Process: consultations ongoing
communication with outline: Dec 2010

4. 2. Multi: Access and Benefit Sharing
More ‘socio-economic’ objective of CBD (art. 15-8j), strong North-South dimension (access vs. BS), much interaction with other sectors/processes (trade, research, health, IPRs, food and agriculture, etc.)
Developing countries' call in WSSD
Final phase of negotiations of a Protocol to the CBD under Belgian Presidency: WG ABS9bis + COP10
Negotiating Mandate of the EC ends after ABS9bis
Belgian Presidency ready to take responsibility to ensure constructive role for EU, together with EC
Results on ABS will shape outcome of COP10 and future of CBD

5. 2. Multi: UNGA HLS Heads of States + Ministers of Environment
in Sustainable Development setting, back-to-back with MDG review
no decisions but political momentum
use HLS to lift out key issues, in particular
ABS
Synergies between Rio Conventions (message towards CBD and UNFCCC COPs)
Link MDGS, poverty
Strategic Plan, and specifically the post 2010 biodiversity target beyond the CBD
Possibly IPBES

6. 2. Multi: CBD COP10 - Nagoya
Over 30 substantial topics on Agenda, touching 3 CBD objectives: conservation, sustainable use, ABS
Key political issues:
ABS
Strategic Plan + global post 2010 target
Synergies Rio Conventions
Protected Areas
Marine Biodiversity
Resource Mobilization
Belgium responsible for EU coordination and functioning, chair EU, and negotiatoins on behalf of EU on most items

7. Objectives of the Belgian Presidency
To ensure strong and coherent EU participation in the CBD meetings and the UNGA HLS,
To ensure constructive interaction with other regional groups, and
To ensure that the EU contributes to an important step forward of the global biodiversity agenda from policy setting to implementation

8. Challenges for Belgian EU Presidency
Perception of EU as quite rigid on key issues
Need to increase communication/outreach, in particular on ABS + Resource Mobilization, both internal EU and global
Internal EU unrest due to confusion around external rep. after entry into force Lisbon Treaty
Synergies Rio conventions vs IEG and Rio+20
Package deal Strategic Plan, ABS, Resources
EU coordination (WPIEI + on the spot)
Council Conclusions on key issues: 14/10 – preparation for COP, Dec – follow-up of COP