Indicate which actions have been carried out to implement this Resolution :
Capacity-building
Convene stakeholders/Networking
Education/Communication/Raising awareness
Policy influencing/advocacy
Scientific/technical activities
Describe the results/achievements of the actions taken:
In November 2016, Nago City Assembly wrote to IUCN Director General asking for IUCN to review the Japanese Governments EIA for the base, IUCN Director General responded in early 2017, and also engaged with with relevant stakeholders on this issue.
Throughout 2017, there has been continued engagement between Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J), and the Okinawa Prefecture and Government of Japan in regards to biosecurity measures for Okinawa Island in relation to soil and rock landfill materials, and tourism.
In February 2017, the Japanese government submitted to UNESCO its proposal for the islands of Amami-Oshima and Tokunoshima, the northern part of Okinawa Island and Iriomote Island to be inscribed on the World Natural Heritage list. In March 2017, the NACS-J requested that an invasive species expert was included in the IUCN mission to the proposed site (see NACS-J activity report). The IUCN World Heritage Programme undertook an evaluation of the World Heritage nomination, under its statutory mandate under the World Heritage Convention (which is fully independent of the present resolution) and this mission and the evaluation process gave (and is giving) due consideration to all matters that could impact the proposed World Heritage Site, including in relation to any invasive species issues. The World Heritage nomination will be considered by UNESCO in Summer 2018 (but is not directly related to the implementation of this resolution).
In December 2017, the Nature Conservation Society of Japan invited the SSC's Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) to take part in an ‘information exchange’ session (in March 2018) on invasive species funded by the Okinawa Prefecture.
What challenges/obstacles have been encountered in the implementation of this Resolution and how were they overcome :
The NACS-J have stated in their activity report that it has been difficult to convince stakeholders of the need to address the growing opportunities for the introduction of alien species through tourism and military activities on the Ryuku Islands.
Briefly describe what future actions are needed for the implementation of this Resolution:
To fully implement the resolution, it will require continued engagement between all parties, including the Government of Japan, supported by IUCN where requested and appropriate, to prioritise and develop measures to reduce the risk of the introduction of alien species to Okinawa.
In addition, in 2018, IUCN supported by the SSC ISSG, and through international collaboration, are publishing a best-practice report to support all islands across the world in developing measures to address biological invasions.
Are these actions planned for yet:
