IUCN, Regional Biodiversity Programme Asia

This book draws on the papers presented and discussions held at two workshops of biodiversity planners from 15 Asian countries. It is, in essence, a snapshot of the NBSAP process in Asia, and although many practitioners may have moved on since this book was compiled, it serves as an important instrument to share experiences. As every NBSAP process is in a different stage of development, it is important to map the journey so that others may follow.

In order for National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to be implemented, there is a need for financing. This financing hinges on the ability and ingenuity of national governments to design innovative mechanisms to make finances available. The aim of this toolkit is to provide biodiversity planners and decisions makers in Asia with a series of clear and practical methods, options and steps for developing financing strategies for their NBSAPs.

Over 800 million human beings suffer from hunger and malnutrition. The future of global food security depends on the success of our efforts in the conservation and enhancement of agrobiodiversity, the biodiversity occurring in plants and animals. It is important that both intensification and diversification of agriculture, particularly in the developing countries, is based on sound ecological foundations essential for sustainable advances in crop and animal productivity.

The commitment of the international community to ensure an equitable supply of food and nutrition to everyone on Earth has been reiterated many times. However, there are very few practical examples on how such equity and benefit sharing principles are to be put into practice. The proceedings of this workshop held in February 1998 relate experiences and lessons from a South-South perspective and critically address the translation of recommendations from this workshop into actions.

Numerous initiatives are now underway to deal with the prevention, control, eradication and management of invasive alien species. A regional workshop was held in 1999 to discuss the problem in South and Southeast Asia. This publication contains the country and status reports presented at the workshop and the recommendations for action in the region.