ICRI Secretariat 2003-2005Taking things forward with the UK
Robert Baldi
Marine and Waterways Division
UK arrangements for the Secretariat
• UNEP-WCMC provides Secretariat functions from 1 July 2003 for two years
• UK, the Seychelles (our co-host) and ICRI Members determine policy and the path that ICRI follows
• UK and Seychelles co-chair meetings ofICRI’s Co-ordination & Policy Committee
UK arrangements for the Secretariat
• Why UNEP-WCMC for the UK Secretariat?
Enables Secretariat to draw on previously acquired experience and knowledge of the working of ICRI
Provides an opportunity for joined-up working on coral reef issues
UK arrangements for the Secretariat
• Secretariat will also use their expertise in a joined-up way to develop ideas, initiatives, and local development projects that can help to implement ICRI and WSSD goals
Working with our co-host
• UK attaches considerable importance to ICRI’s partnership approach
Seychelles co-chairs CPC meetings Planning to host a CPC meeting in our
co-host’s country Provision of a scholarship opportunity
to UNEP-WCMC
What we want to achieve
• Our framework for action is based on the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, which contained a number of key coral reef issues:
“develop national, regional and international programmes for halting the loss of marine biodiversity, including coral reefs and wetlands”
“Implement…the programme of action called for by the International Coral Reef Initiative”
“Establish representative networks of marine protected areas by 2012”
What we want to achieve
What we want to achieve
• We want to establish approaches and strategies to focus on outcomes, so that ICRI can contribute to protecting and better managing coral reefs:
Challenging ICRI to take the lead on marine protected areas.
What we want to achieve
Greater co-operation and co-ordination between UN bodies, regional seas programmes and donor agencies etc
Encourage developing country participation and ensure participation is at the right level
Greater private sector engagement to support local development projects
ICRI meeting, Nov ’03
• Integration of ICRI into and linkages with a number of initiatives:
The Caribbean WW2BW initiative The World Parks Congress Preparations for Barbados+10 (SIDS) Promotion of sustainable tourism
and fishing practices
ICRI meeting, Nov ’03
• The importance of marine science:
Preparations for ICRS in Okinawa
UN work on a Global Marine Assessment
Assessing monetary damage caused to reefs by ship groundings
ICRI meeting, Nov ’03
• We sought to define a number of emerging issues in the international environment:
Defining fossil corals (for CITES) Trade in coral products (e.g. aquaria) Inclusion of cold water corals in ICRI
ICRI meeting, Nov ’03
• The UK offered 3 grants to small-scale projects. The following were successful:
Monitoring of Portland Bight Protected Area (Jamaica)
Setting up MPAs close to Urban Areas (Philippines)
Site Exchange with St Lucia Marine Management Area (Bonaire)
Develop programmes for halting the loss of marine biodiversity, inc. coral reefs and wetlands
TARGET ACTION TAKEN
Strengthen joint management plans and international networking
Raise awareness of importance of coral reefs. Press for action to protect and manage them
• Funding of projects. Co-ordinating with other secretariats, e.g., Ramsar
• ICRI Newsletter and new-look website. ICRI presence in international meetings
• ICRI participation on WW2BW and international meetings, including sharing best practice
Greater co-operation and co-ordination between UN bodies, regional seas programmes and donor agencies
Encourage developing country participation and at right level
Greater private sector engagement to support local development projects
TARGET ACTION TAKEN
• Hosting of the Secretariat by UNEP-WCMC alongside UNEP’s Coral Reef Unit.
• Identification of contacts and funding developing countries’ and OTs’ attendance
• UK-funded conference on sustainable tourism (WW2BW)
ICRI Forum
• For further details of all the small-scale projects, the minutes of the meeting, discussion fora and all ICRI documents (including this presentation), please visit the ICRI Forum at:
www.icriforum.org