IPPC Recognized as a Biodiversity-Related Convention

The International Plant Protection Convention was recognized as a Biodiversity-related Convention and became the seventh member of the Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions (BLG) on Saturday, 16 August, 2014. The invitation was extended by the BLG following a day-long meeting of the group during which information was presented by the IPPC Secretariat on the contribution of the Convention s work on plant protection to biodiversity. The Secretariat believes that BLG membership will open new doors for the Convention, as well as provide opportunities for collaboration and a reduction in redundant and overlapping efforts focused on the same results. The Secretariat encourages contracting parties to establish contacts with CBD focal points in their respective countries (if they have not done so already) to exchange information on their respective work and to explore potential areas of future cooperation; IPPC contracting parties work on pest risk assessment and surveillance would be of particular interest. The Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was requested to form the BLG by the CBD s 7th Conference of Parties (COP) which took place in February, 2004. Among other things, the BLG was formed to enhance coherence and cooperation between the CBD and all other biodiversity conventions in the implementation of their conventions. The Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions meets regularly to explore opportunities for synergistic activities and increased coordination, and to exchange information. Each of the biodiversity-related conventions works to implement actions at the national, regional and international level in order to reach shared goals of conservation and sustainable use. The IPPC now joins the Convention on Biological Diversity (year of entry into force: 1993), the Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (1975), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (1975), the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (2004), the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971) and the World Heritage Convention (1972) in their efforts to implement actions at the national, regional and international level in order to reach shared goals of conservation and sustainable use. For detailed info on the individual Biodiversity-related Conventions, such as national contact points and documents, click here. Rome, 18 August 2014