The Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Global Dialogues with Regional Seas Organizations (RSOs) and Regional Fisheries Bodies (RFBs) on Accelerating Progress Towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals facilitates dialogue among RSOs and RFBs to identify opportunities to enhance cross-sectoral collaboration with a view to supporting their member countries in achieving the Aichi Targets and the SDGs.
Specific objectives:
• Enhance sharing of scientific information among RSOs and RFBs as well as among regional organizations/bodies and the CBD and other relevant global processes;
• Exchange experiences in applying tools and approaches for conservation and sustainable use ;
• Discuss regional-scale indicators in support of the objectives of the regional organizations, which can also support the measuring of progress towards the Aichi Targets and SDGs;
• Identify examples and lessons learned regarding cooperation between RSOs and RFBs;
• Discuss tools and guidelines to enhance science-based, cross-sectoral and ecosystem-based approaches for addressing biodiversity and fisheries issues.
The 1st SOI Global Dialogue with RSOs and RFBs was held in Seoul, Republic of Korea from 26 to 28 September 2016, as the first global gathering of RSOs and RFBs, and was organized by the CBD Secretariat in collaboration with UN Environment, the FAO, the Secretariat of the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission, the Secretariat of the Nairobi Convention, the IUCN-Fisheries Expert Group and the Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative. It was financially supported by the Government of the Republic of Korea (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea, the Korea Maritime Institute and the Korea Marine Environment Management Corporation), the Government of Japan (Japan Biodiversity Fund) and the European Commission.
Participants represented RSOs, RFBs and relevant international organizations/initiatives, and experts from governments and non-governmental organizations. Participants highlighted various means to enhance cooperation and coordination among RSOs and RFBs through, among other things, scientific collaboration as well as the use of tools, approaches and indicators in support of the ecosystem and precautionary approaches. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to share experiences from different regions, better understand the mandates and complementary roles of respective regional organizations/bodies in supporting national implementation, and engage in an interactive dialogue to identify means to further strengthen synergies through collaboration and cooperation. Participants emphasized the need to continue global dialogues with RSOs and RFBs on accelerating progress towards the Aichi Targets and the SDGs, and welcomed the efforts of the government of the Republic of Korea to make the global dialogue a regular forum, in collaboration with the CBD Secretariat, UN Environment, FAO, RSOs, RFBs, and other interested donors.
The outcome of the 1st SOI Global Dialogue with RSOs and RFBs is available at: https://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/mar/soiom-2016-01/official/soiom-2016-01-outcome-en.pdf
The 1st SOI Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fisheries Bodies was noted with appreciation by the UN General Assembly in Resolution 71/257 on oceans and the law of the sea (A/RES/71/257, paragraph 258).
Information on the 1st SOI Global Dialogue with RSOs and RFBs is available at: https://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=SOIOM-2016-01
A film on SOI is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q6RiihseQ8
Progress reports
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
Type of commitment
- Community or Locally Managed Marine Areas
- Integrated Coastal Management
- Marine Spatial Planning
- Large Marine Ecosystem approach
- Ecosystem-based Adaptation
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
Type of commitment
- Coastal carbon sinks/blue carbon
- Adaptation to more acidic ocean conditions
- Scientific research and cooperation to address ocean acidification knowledge gaps
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
09/2016
1st SOI Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fisheries Bodies on Accelerating Progress Towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the SDGs
2018
2nd SOI Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fisheries Bodies on Accelerating Progress Towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the SDGs
Biennial
Intersessional planning meeting for the 2nd SOI Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fisheries Bodies
Biennial
SOI Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fisheries Bodies on Accelerating Progress Towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the SDGs
Staff / Technical expertise
The CBD Secretariat provides staff support and technical expertise to coordinate the implementation the SOI Global Dialogues with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fisheries Bodies on Accelerating Progress Towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and
Other, please specify
The Republic of Korea has committed to provide financial resources to support the regular convening of the SOI Global Dialogues with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fisheries Bodies on Accelerating Progress Towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets
In-kind contribution
Various partners provide in-kind contributions in the form of technical input and expertise to the dialogues and intersessional planning meetings.
