Biosphere reserves and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

Organisers: ICIMOD, Chengdu Institute of Biology

About the consultation

ICIMOD and Chengdu Institute of Biology (CIB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), China are organising a stakeholder workshop on biosphere reserves and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. The joint workshop aims to discuss the potential, challenges, and opportunities for biosphere reserves and OECMs, and initiate dialogue to establish a regional network for sharing learnings and good practices in the context of implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in the region. In doing so, it aims to advocate inclusive landscape governance mechanisms where the rights of Indigenous people and local communities (IPLCs) are secured and their traditional access to resources are strengthened through biosphere reserves and OECMs. Additionally, the workshop aims to share progress and plans related to National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and discuss the opportunities to highlight the mountain agenda in NBSAPs and at the 16th meeting of the Conference of Parties to Convention on Biological Diversity (CoP16) to be held in 2024.

Objectives

• Discuss the status, potential, challenges, and opportunities for biosphere reserves and OECMs in the region in the context of NBSAP
• Agree on the way forward to foster regional cooperation and policy uptake on biosphere reserves and OECMs
• Share the progress and plan for the NBSAPs for implementing Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in the region and discuss the opportunity to highlight the mountain agenda in NBSAP

Expected outputs

• Potential, challenges, and opportunities of biosphere reserves and OECMs in the HKH region identified
• Biosphere reserves and candidate OECMs at the country level identified and prioritised for full assessment
• Dialogue for a regional hub and a network on biosphere reserves and OECMs and its ToR discussed
• Status of progress and plan for NBSAP, and an understanding of country strategies to integrate mountain agenda in NBSAP and CoP16 shared

Expected participants

• Representatives from the regional member countries (RMCs) of ICIMOD
• Biosphere reserve representatives from China, India, Pakistan, and Myanmar
• Indigenous people’s representative(s) from the RMCs, as applicable
• LCs representative(s) from the seven countries, as applicable
• NGOs/INGOs
• Regional Indigenous peoples networks
• Research and academic institutions

Background

ICIMOD’s eight RMCs – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Pakistan – have adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and committed to contribute to Action Target 3 of the GBF by expansion and effective management of protected areas (PAs) and OECMs, popularly known as “30×30”. OECMs contribute to Action Target 3 and provide opportunities for inclusive conservation by formally recognising areas outside the state-run PAs, managed by Indigenous peoples, local communities, and private sector or other stakeholders. OECMs have been considered to advance equitable and effective conservation, which recognise the rights of the local and Indigenous peoples and promote principles of social equity. OECMs provide diverse opportunities for conservation and development. Among others, biosphere reserves are considered important for OECMs.

UNESCO launched the ‘Man and the Biosphere’ programme (MAB programme) in 1971, and the World Network of Biosphere Reserves is an important implementation platform for the MAB programme. Against the backdrop of the continuous intensification of global climate change, imbalanced regional development, and limited international scientific and technological cooperation, it is urgent to identify the problems in the management of biosphere reserves, formulate constructive and targeted optimization strategies to improve their governance in the HKH region, and promote harmonious coexistence between people and nature.

ICIMOD, with its regional mandate, and building on decades of experience and strong partnerships in transboundary landscape management with partners across the HKH, including with CAS, aims to further strengthen transboundary cooperation for sustainable landscape management through biosphere reserves and OECMs in the region. ICIMOD aims to assist its RMCs, rights holders and stakeholders, including Indigenous peoples, local communities, and their institutions, and private individuals and institutions, to contribute to Action Target 3 through inclusive mechanisms where the rights of the IPLCs are secured and their traditional access to resources is strengthened.