Document
Index
1999-2000 Ministerial Statements
Investing in our Natural and
Cultural Heritage
Chapter 4
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Index |
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The Government has decided to fund the Biodiversity convention and Strategy Programme
to $9 million over the next four years in order to continue work to implement the
Convention on Biological Diversity and in recognition that the implementation of the
National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological Diversity is central to
ensuring the conservation of Australia's biodiversity.
Over the past year, Australia has continued to implement the Convention on Biological
Diversity through participation in the Fourth Conference of the Parties to the Convention,
the third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological
Advice, negotiating sessions for a protocol on biosafety, and the Extraordinary Meeting of
the Conference of the Parties on the protocol. Australia provided information to other
countries on taxonomic issues; inland water ecosystems; access to genetic resources and
benefit sharing; indigenous knowledge and practices relevant to biodiversity;
environmental impact assessment; and sustainable tourism. Australia shared its experience
in regulating genetically modified organisms during the negotiations for a protocol on
biosafety. As gene technology enables the transfer of genes between species to an extent
and range not previously possible using conventional breeding techniques, potential risks
need to be identified, assessed and managed in order to protect the environment and
conserve biodiversity. The protocol will apply to the international transboundary movement
of these organisms. Australia also provided financial assistance to the Convention's
Secretariat to support attendance at meetings by Pacific Island countries and to advance
the Global Taxonomy Initiative.
The Commonwealth has developed a reporting mechanism to monitor progress towards
implementing the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia's Biological
Diversity, to identify gaps or problems, and to make recommendations on how these may be
addressed. Reports on progress will be made to the Australian and New Zealand Environment
and Conservation Council (ANZECC).
The Biological Diversity Advisory Council, the Commonwealth's premier advisory body on
biodiversity, meets regularly to provide advice on biodiversity issues. Over the past year
it has advised on a communications campaign for biodiversity and on enhancing the role of
indigenous people in biodiversity conservation. In 1999, it will develop a strategy to
assist industry to implement biodiversity conservation measures.
| Box 4.1: Local Government Biodiversity
Strategy The Biological Diversity Advisory Council (BDAC), in its role to promote the objectives of the National Strategy, has been working with local governments from each State and the Northern Territory, to develop a strategy for local governments to include biodiversity as a mainstream part of local governments' activities. The National Local Government Biodiversity Strategy was endorsed by unanimous vote at the National Local Government General Assembly in November 1998. The document represents an agreed local government position at the national level on the management of our biodiversity. The structure of the strategy is built on the following five key issues:
The strategy also outlines a number of key actions that need to be undertaken in order
to achieve the objectives of the strategy. |
Contact: Environment Australia, Biodiversity Group -- 02 6274 2562
