G8 Environment Ministers Meeting
2008 Kobe Call for Action for Biodiversity

Kobe, Japan, May 24-26, 2008
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We, the Environment Ministers of the G8, based upon our discussions in Kobe on biodiversity, 24-26 May 2008,

Emphasizing that biological diversity constitutes the indispensable foundation of our lives and of global economic development,

Recognizing the fundamental importance of biodiversity for human livelihoods, the eradication of poverty and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals,

Deeply concerned by the continued loss of biological diversity despite the significant actions already taken by a wide range of stakeholders, and acknowledging that unprecedented efforts will still be needed to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss,

Recognizing the importance of following up on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment,

Reaffirming our support for the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, namely the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the access to and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources,

Noting the on-going work on access to and benefit sharing (ABS) of genetic resources under the Convention on Biological Diversity,

Recognizing the importance of the ecosystem approach as a framework for addressing the three objectives of the Convention in a balanced way,

Stressing that biodiversity and climate change are closely intertwined and that efforts are urgently needed to consider these important linkages in addressing biodiversity and climate change issues,

Reiterating our commitment to increase our efforts to achieve the globally-agreed target to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010,

Adopt the "Kobe Call for Action for Biodiversity" to call upon all countries to work together to promote the following actions:

Achieving the 2010 Biodiversity Target and follow up actions

Further encourage implementation of the ten Activities included in the "Potsdam Initiative-Biological Diversity 2010."
Promote international collaboration for sharing technology and knowledge which is essential for developing, improving and implementing the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in accordance with the particular conditions and capabilities of the parties in order to achieve the 2010 Biodiversity Target.
Promote international collaboration for preparation and publication of the 3rd Global Biodiversity Outlook.
Encourage the provision of science-based information on biodiversity and ecosystem services to the public and to policy-makers, informed by discussions under the auspices of UNEP.
Initiate a dialogue process to consider options for following up the 2010 Target, including, for example, the development and adoption of a post-2010 target under the aegis of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Sustainable use of biodiversity

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity taking into account international achievements in this area and considering models of sustainable natural resource management based on the benefits of living in harmony with nature as recognized in satoyama in Japan (SATOYAMA Initiative).
Promote sustainable forest management, including the conservation of forest biodiversity, by improving forest governance and by addressing illegal logging and related trade collectively and individually, as stated in the G8 Forest Experts Report on Illegal Logging, and reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries (REDD).

Biodiversity and protected areas

Strengthen collaboration for identifying gaps in the designation and management of protected areas, taking into account the situation of respective countries and existing international designations such as UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme, the Ramsar Convention and the World Heritage Convention and integrate into networks of globally important ecosystems for biodiversity conservation, including forests, wetlands and marine and coastal areas, such as coral reefs.
Enhance the implementation of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas under the Convention on Biological Diversity by, where appropriate, supporting initiatives such as Germany's voluntary Life Web Initiative.
Welcome the International Year of the Reef: 2008 in this context as a means to raise awareness of the vital environmental and economic importance of coral reef ecosystems to people worldwide and to promote improved coral reef conservation.

Private sector engagement

Strengthen global initiatives and fora promoting dialogue, cooperation and joint activities among various stakeholders including the business sector, NGOs and researchers, such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development and the Global Biodiversity Forum.
Work to mainstream the concept of biodiversity in society through, where appropriate, developing partnership with the private sector and extending exchanges of information about successful experiences and practice.
Encourage corporate social responsibility, with a view to making the private sector a full partner in biodiversity conservation, and promote enabling environments for private investment in sustainable management of biodiversity

Strengthening scientific capabilities for monitoring of biodiversity

Further promote international collaboration in research, monitoring, assessment and information sharing of biodiversity in particular by strengthening cooperation among existing organizations focused on research and monitoring of natural systems, including through the use of remote sensing and ground observation so that impacts of climate change can also be monitored.

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Source: Ministry of the Environment (Japan)

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