Trade-related Assessments, Agriculture and Biodiversity
Findings and Recommendations from 6 African,
Caribbean and Pacific Countries

Geneva, Switzerland, 25 March 2010

International Environment House 2,
Châtelaine, Geneva

The above Symposium was organized under the auspices of UNEP’s Initiative on Integrated Assessment of Trade-related Policies and Biodiversity in the Agricultural Sector on 25 March 2010 in the International Environment House II in Geneva, Switzerland.

2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and the world is celebrating its value for life on earth. As contribution to this effort, the symposium on 25 March intended to share, and invite participants to discuss, the findings and recommendations of 6 country studies from ACP countries - including Cameroon , Jamaica , Madagascar , Mauritius , Uganda and Papua New Guinea - that analyzed the impacts of trade-related policies in the agricultural sector on biodiversity. The symposium also provided an opportunity to further discuss the methods, tools and processes that can be used to analyse the relationship between trade policies, agriculture, biodiversity and human well-being.

Brochure on Trade and Biodiversity:
Trade-related Policy Assessment Agriculture and Biodiversity

This brochure provides a brief synthesis of the UNEP Initiative on Integrated Assessment of Trade-related Policies and Biodiversity in the Agricultural Sector. It presents the objectives and main results of the initiative and the findings and recommnedations of 6 country studies from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The main objective of the initiative was to support the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Further information on country studies please see: http://www.unep.ch/etb/initiatives/BiodivCountryProjects.php

Background:

Agriculture is the largest contributor to gross domestic product in many developing countries. Many of the countries whose economies are dominated by the agricultural sector are also custodians of much of the world’s biological diversity. Biodiversity is an integral part of a healthy agricultural ecosystem. However, the conversion of land to agriculture at the expense of natural habitats and certain agricultural practices that deteriorate soil and water quality pose an important threat to biodiversity and rural livelihoods that depend on it.

Trade in agricultural products and related policies are major forces driving changes in land-use and agricultural practices. It is therefore important to ensure that these policies and the changes that they bring about are compatible with the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity.

Integrated Assessments that help identify environmental, social and economic impacts of trade policies and trade-related polices in the agricultural sector, such diversification and expansion plans, are an important aid to achieving this goal. An assessment that draws on the input from various disciplines and stakeholders and provides a detailed analysis of specific issues and options, can assist policymakers to develop policy recommendation that safeguard biodiversity while maximizing the sustainable development gains from trade liberalization.

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

Contact: vera.weick@unep.org