Dr. Nial Moores, October 7, 2014
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of the Parties (COP) opened in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, on Monday, October 6.
The CBD COP should provide the best opportunities to share information on the status and trends in biodiversity at the local, national and global scale, and to link these trends to sustainable development goals.
The COP itself is being held in a large and fairly secluded ski resort complex, and access is strictly controlled and restricted.
Each day is comprised of main working groups for much of the day and side events which are held at lunch time and again in the evening.
Birds Korea has only a limited presence at the COP. Our input comes largely through:
1) Sharing of our report, Status of Birds, 2014;
2) Supporting other conservation organisations;
3) Working to help encourage focus on the Yellow Sea through side events and exploration of ways to encourage the hosting of an EBSA workshop within this region. The EBSA (Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas) approach offers the best opportunity to raise awareness of the biodiversity crisis in the Yellow Sea within the CBD.