Second International Review Meeting for the Country Projects on Integrated Assessment of Trade-related Policies and Biodiversity in the Agricultural Sector

Geneva, 1 - 3 July 2008

The Second International Review Meeting for UNEP’s initiative on Integrated Assessment of Trade-related Policies and Biodiversity in the Agricultural Sector was held from 1 to 3 July 2008 in Geneva. This UNEP initiative aims to enhance capacity in African, Pacific and Caribbean (ACP) countries to develop policy recommendations that safeguard biological diversity while maximizing sustainable development gains from trade liberalization in the agriculture sector. Core activities include the development of a reference manual for conducting integrated assessment of agriculture trade policies and biodiversity and the implementation of country projects in 6 ACP countries (Jamaica, Cameroon, Mauritius, Madagasca, Uganda and Papua New Guinea). These countries receive financial and technical support to assess the economic, social and environmental impacts of agricultural trade policies with specific attention being paid to the impacts and opportunities for biodiversity.

Following the first review meeting in November 2007, the country teams continued their analytical work and discussed the progress and preliminary findings of the project with relevant stakeholders in national steering committee meetings and national review workshops. The meeting in July brought the six country teams together again to discuss the further advanced drafts of the assessment studies. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange experiences and receive guidance from the group of advisors before the finalization of the assessment studies and development of national action plans.

For more information on the Trade and Biodiversity Initiative: http://www.unep.ch/etb/areas/biodivAgriSector.php

Contact: vera.weick@unep.ch