There has been significant progress during the international biological diversity meet with consensus on at least four broader issues and an agreement is likely on several others, according to M.F. Farooqui, Special Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Addressing a press conference, the Secretary said four documents were adopted in the midway during the conference. These include global strategy for plant conservation, global taxonomy, bio-fuels, biodiversity and incentive measures. Describing this as “considerable progress”, he said, “The working groups and contact groups have been working parallelly to sort out issues. We are confident that by Thursday negotiations will be concluded and documents would be ready for adoption by Friday.” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the high-level meeting on Tuesday. Four major elements – strategic plan resources mobilisation, biodiversity and livelihoods, marine and coastal biodiversity and early ratification of Nagoya protocol, will be addressed. Executive Secretary of CBD Braulio Dias said, “The process of setting up some baseline targets started in Nagoya two years ago. Parties agreed to report on resource mobilisation for biodiversity both through domestic resources and international funding.”

He said that it is tough to list investments made in broader areas such as sustainable agriculture, restoration of fisheries and forest tracts. Therefore, the accent is on striking a balance.

>rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in

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