Biodiversity in European Development Cooperation : supporting the sustainable development of partners countries

Is development with biodiversity conservation an option? As a leading economic and political power, a key development assistance donor and the custodian of 21 overseas Countries and Territories with outstanding biodiversity, the European Union has a responsibility, to lead by example. This paper, prepared for the “Biodiversity in European Development Cooperation” conference held in Paris, 19-21 September 2006, gives the reader a comprehensive analysis of the current situation, to facilitate concrete recommendations on better ways to support partner countries in sustainably managing their own natural resources.