Strategyforthe East and Southeast Asia Biodiversity Information Initiative (ESABII)The countries participating in ESABII (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia,Japan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam), in collaboration with theSecretariat of the CBD (ex-officio), the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), the Global
Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), Natural Geography In Shore Areas (NaGISA),
the Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network (AP-BON) andBioNET-INTERNATIONAL,
Recalling the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), namely theconservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable
sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources,
Recalling also the target to significantly reduce the current rate of loss of biodiversity by2010 adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the CBD at its sixth meeting in The Hague in 2002
and reiterated by the 154 heads of state and government attending the 2005 World Review Summitof the United Nations General Assembly,
Recognizing that accurate and timely monitoring of the status of biodiversity andaccumulation of the data in a database form accessible to the world are necessary to evaluate theachievement of the target to significantly reduce the current rate of loss of biodiversity by 2010,
Aware that the lack of taxonomic capacity was recognized in decision II/8, paragraph 7,
adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its second meeting, as an obstacle to the implementationof the CBD and that, at its fourth meeting, the Conference of the Parties recognized, in paragraph 4of decision IV/1D, that the implementation of a Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) should occur on
the basis of country-driven projects at the national, regional and subregional levels,
Recalling that the programme of work for the GTI was adopted at the sixth meeting of theConference of the Parties (decision VI/8, annex),1

Recalling further that output 2.5.2. of planned activity 5 for the outcome-oriented
deliverables for the GTI adopted at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties in decision
IX/22, states, inter alia, that all Parties should develop national and regional action plans fortaxonomic capacity building by 2012,
Recalling that the Kobe Call for Action for Biodiversity adopted by the G8 Environment
Ministers in Kobe in May 2008 calls for the strengthening scientific capabilities for monitoring ofbiodiversity,Recalling that the “Carta di Siracusa” on Biodiversity, adopted by the Environment
Ministers of the G8 countries together with the Ministers of Australia, Brazil, China, the Czech
Republic as Presidency of the European Union, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, the Republic ofKorea, South Africa, Sweden and the international organizations at the Siracusa meeting in April
2009, calls for the improvement of the science-policy interface for biodiversity, achieving reliablebiodiversity data and fostering research and capacity building on biodiversity and ecosystemservices,
Recognizing that all ESABII participating countries have, between 1998 and 2004, further
demonstrated their commitment to working regionally when building taxonomic capacity andmobilizing biodiversity data by endorsing the establishment of BioNET-ASEANET andBioNET-EASIANET as local partnerships for taxonomy affiliated to BioNET-INTERNATIONAL,
Recognizing that experts from East and South-East Asian countries and ASEAN Centre for
Biodiversity drafted the ESABII strategy at the Expert Meeting for Developing an “East andSouth-East Asian Biodiversity Information Initiative” in Tokyo in January 2009 and were deeply
concerned about the need for taxonomic capacity building for implementation of the CBD at theregional level,
Also recognizing that the series of taxonomic needs assessments at regional level conductedby BioNET-ASEANET in 2002, and by Japan in 2002 and 2003, followed by ASEAN+3 GTI
Workshop held in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines in May 2009 identified needs of biodiversity
information and capacity building in taxonomy for the conservation and sustainable resource use ofbiodiversity,2agree on the Strategy for ESABII as proposed in the Annex.
14 December 20093Annex
Strategy for the East and Southeast Asia Biodiversity Information Initiative (ESABII)

1. Goal of ESABIIThe goal of ESABII is to contribute to the implementation of the Strategic Plan for theConvention on Biological Diversity. This will be achieved through the development ofbiodiversity information systems and taxonomic capacity building in East and Southeast
Asia.
2. Operational objectives(1) Overall design for the operation
Deliverable 1-1: Organization and administrative structure of ESABII
Planned activity:- Agree on the proposed organizational and administrative structure ofESABII as described in section 3 at the first Member Conference
Deliverable 1-2: Work Plan for the implementation and promotion of the Strategy andprogress evaluation
Planned activities:- Develop the Work Plan with information on suggested actors anddeadlines at the Member Conference- Evaluate and review implementation of the Strategy and the Work Plan atthe Member Conference
Deliverable 1-3: Financially ensured projects
Planned activities:- Develop project proposals and identify appropriate donors with support4

from the Steering Committee- Coordinate project proponents and donors through the Steering
Committee and the Secretariat- Help ESABII members with project planning and proposal development
Deliverable 1-4: Dissemination of ESABII information through a variety of media inorder to raise awareness of the benefits of biodiversity information andtaxonomy in particular, in implementing the CBD, other environmental
agreements and national policies
Planned activity:- Develop webpages, videos, brochures and other information materials fortargeting policy makers, scientists, the private sector and the generalpublic(2) Development of biodiversity information
Deliverable 2-1: Regional biodiversity information needs assessment report withpriorities for the conservation of biodiversity and its sustainable use infulfillment of the CBD and other environmental agreements
Planned activities:- Prepare a report on regional needs assessments utilizing reports from theASEAN+3 GTI Workshop held in 2009 and other sources for theimplementation of policies and programmes for the conservation ofbiodiversity and its sustainable use- Prioritize biodiversity information development needs
Deliverable 2-2: ESABII website to promote the utilization of biodiversity information inconservation and sustainable use of biodiversity at the global, regional andnational levels
Planned activities:5

- Develop the ESABII website to provide biodiversity information for
relevant organizations and the public- Provide technical support from members of the Expert Group of ESABII
to relevant organizations on how to properly and effectively use theinformation
Deliverable 2-3: Web-based, user friendly and on-demand interface of biodiversity
information such as images, maps and graphs, information on genetics,
species, and ecology
Planned activities:- Identify available data resources, research institutes and organizations forcooperative work in exploring and sharing information- Establish the modality of operation including data sharing, ownership,and credit attribution- Develop, in accordance with the priorities identified by needs
assessments, biodiversity information based on available data sets

(3) Taxonomic Capacity Building
Deliverable 3-1: Regional taxonomic needs assessment report with priorities for theimplementation of the CBD and other policies in conservation andsustainable use of biodiversity
Planned activities:- Prepare a report on regional taxonomic needs utilizing reports from theASEAN+3 GTI Workshop held in 2009 and other sources- Prioritize taxonomic capacity building needs
Deliverable 3-2: Regional action plan on taxonomic capacity building, to be consideredas the GTI regional action plan on taxonomic capacity building for Eastand Southeast Asia
6Planned activity:- Develop a regional action plan based on user and capacity needs identified
through workshops and meetings
Deliverable 3-3: Taxonomic capacity building programmes in accordance with theregional action plan above and the priorities identified by the needs
assessment described in Deliverable 3-1
Planned activities:- Plan and design training programmes for taxonomic capacity building
with the assistance of members of the Expert Group- Hold training courses for taxonomic capacity building with the assistanceof members of the Expert GroupDeliverable 3-4: Taxonomic capacity building products
Planned activities:- Develop a regional database of human resources for taxonomy- Develop and disseminate products for taxonomic capacity building suchas guides for species identification
3. Operational Structure and Procedure
3-1. Membership
3-1-1. Member
Membership of ESABII is by voluntary participation, and is classified in threegroups, i.e., countries, organizations and networks.
(1) Countries
The current member countries of the ESABII are the following member
states of the United Nations in East Asia and Southeast Asia:
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Lao People’s
7Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines,
Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Viet Nam
Other countries in the region are also eligible for membership if they fulfill
the membership requirements.
(2) Organization
The current member organizations of ESABII are:
The Secretariat of the CBD (ex-officio)

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)

Other international, regional and/or national organizations that are involved
in biodiversity information and/or taxonomy are also eligible formembership, if they fulfill the membership requirements.
(3) Network
The current network members of ESABII are:

Natural Geography In Shore Areas (NaGISA)

Asia-Pacific Biodiversity Observation Network (AP-BON)

BioNET-INTERNATIONAL(Secretariat,BioNET-ASEANET,

BioNET-EASIANET)
Other international, regional and/or national networks or frameworks forbiodiversity information and/or taxonomy are eligible for membership, if
they fulfill the membership requirements.
3-1-2. Membership Requirements
8The requirements for application and continued membership are:(1) Support for the ESABII Strategy:The members that formulated and endorsed the Strategy for ESABII
fulfill this requirement.

New members should submit an application letter supporting theStrategy to the Secretariat, or make a statement of their support for theStrategy at the Member Conference. The Secretariat shall notify
existing members when new members are accepted. In both cases, there
shall be no need to revise the Strategy.

(2) Focal point:Each member should appoint one focal point as the contact person
regarding all the ESABII matters.

The focal point is recommended to be involved in the CBD and/or theGTI process, and capable of bridging the working relationship withrelevant Ministries and Agencies. If not the CBD focal point, theESABII focal point should report back to the CBD focal point.

(3) Participation in the Member Conference:Members should attend the Member Conferences. Apologies forabsence sent to the Secretariat may be considered as an indication ofparticipation.

3-2. Administrative Framework
The following administrative mechanisms will be established in order tosupport ESABII’s management and operation:
3-1-3. Member Conference
The Member Conference is the general meeting for members, and is the9supreme decision-making body in management and operation ofESABII.
The Member Conference shall be held at least every two years. The
first Conference was held in December 2009 in Tokyo, Japan.

The Member Conference shall evaluate the implementation of theESABII Strategy and Work Plan.

The Member Conference may adopt amendment(s) of the ESABIIStrategy, Work Plan and other necessary documents.

Decisions of the Member Conference shall be adopted by consensus.

The host country of the ESABII Secretariat shall nominate the plenary
chair from among the members.

Guests may be invited as observers at the plenary sessions. Attendanceis at the discretion of the plenary chair and the Secretariat.

Meeting materials (e.g., provisional agenda, draft decision documents)
shall be made available to the members at least 30 days prior to themeeting. The summary record of the meeting shall be made available tothe members within two months of the meeting. The Secretariat shallconsider and incorporate comments made by the members in its
documents, as appropriate.

3-1-4. Steering Committee
The Steering Committee will consist of seven (7) members comprising
three (3) countries, secretariat host country (1), one (1) organizationand one (1) network. The GTI Programme Officer of the Secretariat of
the CBD will be the seventh member (ex-officio). Given the regionalbalance, the member countries of the Steering Committee shall consistof at least one from East Asia and one from Southeast Asia.

The term of the Steering Committee membership shall be two years.
Members and chair of the Committee shall be elected at the MemberConference. Reappointment of the Committee members shall not be10prohibited.
The Steering Committee meeting will be held in conjunction with theMember Conference or whenever a majority of the Committee
members are attending other relevant meetings, as necessary. An
electronic mailing list shall be used as the means of communication
among Committee members.

On the endorsement of the Member Conference, the responsibilities ofthe Steering Committee include, but are not limited to, the following:(i)

Provide advice to the Secretariat on management and operationof ESABII(ii)

Receive and endorse the biannual report on the implementationof the ESABII strategy and the Work Plan prepared by theSecretariat to the Member Conference for approval(iii)

Reach decisions on matters and issues including the annual
budget raised by the members through the Secretariat in
between Member Conferences(iv)

Evaluate and endorse project proposals in the name of ESABII
and assist with their presentation to potential donors for funding,when appropriate(v)

Appoint ad-hoc financial committees to assist the developmentof budget proposals

3-1-5. Expert GroupThe Expert Group is appointed by each of the members to support
ESABII activities thorough provision of technical assistance to theimplementation of the Work Plan. Additional scientists or experts may
be invited by the Steering Committee through consultation to bemembers of the Expert Group on an ad-hoc basis.

Each member of the Expert Group shall provide technical assistance forthe development and implementation of programmes upon request from11

members, the Steering Committee, and/or the Secretariat.
Each of the member countries, organizations and networks shallappoint one or two expert(s) ideally specialized in biodiversity
information and/or taxonomy to the Expert Group. The GTI
Programme Officer of the Secretariat of the CBD will be an ExpertGroup member.

3-1-6. Secretariat
The Secretariat shall be served by a member country elected at theMember Conference.



The interim Secretariat will be hosted by Ministry of the Environment ofJapan and served by the Biodiversity Center of Japan until the second
Member Conference.

The interim Secretariat will develop a proposal for the establishment ofthe permanent Secretariat.

At the second Member Conference, a decision will be made on theestablishment of the permanent Secretariat.

The responsibilities of the Secretariat include, but are not limited to, thefollowing:(i)Organize the Member Conference and Steering Committeemeetings(ii)

Prepare and circulate provisional agendas and other meeting
materials before the meetings, and the summary reports after themeetings(iii) Report on the implementation of the ESABII Strategy and Work
Plan at the Member Conference(iv) Ensure continuity of the Secretariat functions and maintenance ofthe institutional records(v)

Support ESABII members with developing project proposals for theimplementation of the ESABII Strategy in cooperation with the12Steering Committee and the Expert Group(vi) Support mobilization of funds for proposed projects developed
under the ESABII Strategy and Work Plan(vii) Disseminate information on the goals and activities of ESABII,
including through maintenance of the website and distribution ofpromotional materials(viii) Appoint appropriate representative(s) of ESABII to participate inrelevant international conventions and meetings, and report theoutcomes to the Member Conference(ix) Support the development and implementation of a partnershipstrategy and the promotion of relations with institutions andorganizations internationally
3-3. Budget and Funding
The Secretariat shall prepare an annual budget to implement the Work Plan
including the convening of the Members Conference, other meetings andoperations of the Secretariat.
The Secretariat shall encourage members to provide funds to assist organizing
relevant meetings including the Member Conference, and/or to secure theattendance of members to these meetings.

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