WWF in the Caucasus / Georgia

Transcription

1 WWF in the Caucasus / Georgia By WWF Caucasus PO Tbilisi, Georgia 19 December, 2008

2 Established in 1961 WWF World Wide Fund for Nature Global Conservation Organization Having representation / POs, NOs and associated organizations in over 100 countries in the world Around supporters Strong partnership and relationships with key players concerned 2

3 WWF World Wide Fund for Nature Global Conservation Organization WWF`s Statement Mission: To stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature Priority Directions / Areas: Climate change Forests Freshwater Marine Species Sustainability 3

4 WWF in Georgia In WWF started taking biodiversity conservation actions in Georgia In WWF Georgia Country Office legally registered & first activities/projects covered: 4 Assistance in planning and development of a new protected areas system Conservation of endangered species Promotion of sustainable use of natural resources Improvement of existing legislation Training and public awareness

5 WWF in the Caucasus In WWF Georgia Country Office reregistered as WWF Caucasus Programme Office expanding its work at regional level in the Caucasus Ecoregion / Hotspot WWF Presence in the Caucasus: WWF Caucasus PO covering Armenia, Azerbaijan & Georgia: there are WWF branch offices in Armenia and Azerbaijan WWF-Russia NO WWF-Turkey NO Partner NGO Cenesta in Iran 5

6 Caucasus Ecoregion / Hotspot The Caucasus Ecoregion / Hotspot with a total area - 580,000 km2 and covering: Armenia Azerbaijan Georgia North Caucasian portion of the Russian Federation Northeastern part of Turkey Part of Northwestern Iran 6

7 Caucasus Ecoregion / Hotspot WWF Global 200 Ecoregions CI 34 Hotspots

8 Initial Investment Portfolio Coordinator: WWF Caucasus Donor: MacArthur Foundation Covered Countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia Published: March,

9 Ecoregional Conservation Plan (ECP) & CEPF Ecosystem Profile / Investment Portfolio Elaboration of ECP and CEPF Ecosystem Profile / Investment Portfolio was coordinated by WWF Caucasus PO in With financial support of: 9 KfW, CEPF and MacArthur Foundation In coordination with: Environmental Ministries of all six countries of the Caucasus Region With technical support of: Birdlife International, Conservation International, Biodiversity and Landscape Conservation Union of Armenia, Centre for Sustainable Development of Iran, Ecological Union of Azerbaijan and AHT International

10 Ecoregional Conservation Plan (ECP) & CEPF Ecosystem Profile / Investment Portfolio ECP and CEPF Ecosystem Profile / Investment Portfolio are based on the results of serious of stakeholders workshops, background reportsand assessments. Armenia Iran More than 150 experts representing scientific, governmental and nongovernmental groups from all six countries of the Caucasus participated in the elaboration of ECP and CEPF Ecosystem Profile. 10 Azerbaijan Georgia Russia Turkey

11 Ecoregional Conservation Plan (ECP) ECP the regional strategy for biodiversity conservation in the Caucasus Ecoregion and elaborated for governments, GAAs and donor organizations for further implementation and enforcement. ECP is based on a Biodiversity Vision which sets long-term goals (50 years) for biodiversity conservation in the Caucasus. ECP defines targets for biodiversity conservation. In particular, Long-term targets: 20 years - (by 2025) Medium-term targets: 10 years - (by 2015) Milestones/Immediate actions: 5 years - (by 2010) 11

12 Ecoregional Conservation Plan (ECP) ECP defines conservation priorities at three levels: Biological (Species and Biomes) Geographical (Priority Conservation Areas and Priority Conservation Corridors) Thematic (ECP Vision Statement) 12

13 Ecoregional Conservation Plan (ECP) Biological (Species and Habitats) 70 focal species: 4 main biomes: mammals (24) birds (13) reptiles (10) amphibians (4) fish (7) plants (12) Forest Freshwater Marine and Coast High mountain 51 species are presented in the IUCN Red Data List as critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable species 13

14 Ecoregional Conservation Plan (ECP) Geographical - (Priority Conservation Areas and Priority Conservation Corridors) 56 Priority Conservation Areas (14,2 million ha covering more than 24 % of the Ecoregion s entire territory) 60 Priority Conservation Corridors (5,9 million ha) for connectivity of Priority Conservation Areas 14

15 Ecoregional Conservation Plan (ECP) Thematic (Vision Statement) Promote transboundary cooperation Establishment of protected area network across the region Restoration of degraded ecosystems Harmonization of legislation and policy framework Scientific research and monitoring Environmental education and public awareness raising 15

16 CEPF Ecosystem Profile / Investment Portfolio CEPF Ecosystem Profile / Investment Strategy is a strategic document and guides CEPF`s five-year investment which contributes to biodiversity conservation in the Caucasus. The Ecosystem Profile for the Caucasus Hotspot defines particular conservation priorities at three levels at three levels: Species: 50 species Sites: 107 sites Corridors: 5 corridors Also, determines thematic priorities (strategic directions and investment priorities) 16

17 CEPF Ecosystem Profile / Investment Portfolio Species 50 species -globally threatened (vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered)species representing six taxa: mammals (18) birds (11) reptiles (10) amphibians (3) fish (7) plant (1) (31 -vulnerable species, 14 endangered, 6 -critically endangered species, presented in the IUCN Red List) 17

18 CEPF Ecosystem Profile / Investment Portfolio Sites & Corridors Greater Caucasus 107 sites under 5 corridors Azerbaijan - 38, Armenia - 9, Georgia - 34, Russia - 24, Turkey - 2 (Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia) West Lesser Caucasus (Georgia, Turkey) East Lesser Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan) Caspian (Azerbaijan, Russia) Hyrcan (Azerbaijan, Iran) 18

19 CEPF Ecosystem Profile / Investment Portfolio Thematic priorities 4 Strategic Directions divided into 11 Investment Priorities Strategic Directions (SDs): 1. Promote transboundary cooperation and improve protected area systems 2. Strengthen mechanisms to conserve biodiversity with emphasis on species, site and corridor 3. Implement models demonstrating sustainable resource use 4. Increase the awareness and commitment onbiodiversity conservation 19

20 CEPF Ecosystem Profile / Investment Portfolio Implementation Launched - June, 2004 Investment US $ Geographical Coverage five countries of the Caucasus To be completed -by 2009 Over 115 projects, focused on priority species conservation, PAs development, sustainable resource use and awareness raising, funded in the Caucasus. Around 30 projects with focus on CEPF conservation priorities funded in Georgia. 20

21 Protected Areas In 1991 through WWF Caucasus PO Coordination, the new planning approach for PAs system development elaborated in Georgia and further approved by Georgian Government Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park Tbilisi National Park Mtirala National Park Chachuna Sanctuary etc.. 21

22 Protected Areas Javakheti Transboundary PAs Armenia: Arpi Lake National Park (15,000 ha) and Ardenis and Akhurian Sanctuaries. Georgia: Javakheti National Park (20,000 ha), and Khankhali, Bugdasheni, Madatapa and Sagamo Sanctuaries. Establishment of the transboundary conservation area financially supported by German Bank for Reconstruction and Development (KfW). Agreements between KfW and National Governments are already signed. 22

23 Caucasus Protected Areas Fund / Trust Fund As part of a joint initiative by German Development Bank (KfW), Conservation International (CI) and WWF, the Caucasus PAs Fund was created and legally established in Mission: to support the ongoing operations and maintenance of protected areas in the South Caucasus countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia. The Caucasus PAs Trust Fund has been registered in Germany. Board of Directors currently consists of representatives of the donor organizations already donated to the Fund. The initial commitment received from BMZ/KFW, CI/GCF and CEPF is around US$ 10 million and provides a strong basis for further fundraising to get a core endowment of $50 million. 23

24 2012 Protected Areas Project Caucasus Ecoregion ``Protected Areas for a Living Planet delivering on CBD commitments`` PoWPA adopted at CBD COP 7, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, February, 2004 Decision VII/28 The overall purpose: to support the establishment and maintenance by 2010 for terrestrial and by 2012 for marine areas of comprehensive, effectively managed, and ecologically representative national and regional systems of protected areas PoWPA Covers 4 Programme Elements, 16 Goals and 92 Activities 24

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26 2012 Protected Areas Project Caucasus Ecoregion ``Protected Areas for a Living Planet delivering on CBD commitments`` Programme Goal: Enable Parties to the CBD from the Caucasus Ecoregion to achieve the 2010/2012 targets of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas Geographical Scope: Five Countries of the Ecoregion Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia and Turkey Duration: Five-year programme, Funding: CHF 1,700,000 from MAVA Foundation 26

27 2012 Protected Areas Project Caucasus Ecoregion ``Protected Areas for a Living Planet delivering on CBD commitments`` Key Areas / Directions the project is focusing on: Legislative and institutional environment of PAs Management effectiveness of PAs Capacity development for improvement of PAs management Financial Sustainability for PA systems Project Key Partners / Players / Cooperation: Governmental Organizations Deliver on Commitments of CBD PoWPA Non-governmental Organisations - Set a stronger focus on the implementation of PoWPA and make contributions Scientific Institutions -Ensure a sound scientific basis for the implementation of PoWPA Donor Institutions / Agencies -to align their funding priorities to PoWPA and ensure financial and technical support 27

28 Caucasus Biodiversity Council (CBC) In 2004, as the WWF`s initiative, Caucasus Biodiversity Council established with the financial support of MacArthur Foundation. CBC is considered as the key regional institutional instrument to strengthen regional and transboundary cooperation in the Caucasus. Includes two representatives of each country from the governmental and non-governmental sectors. Scientists also invited to participate in CBC meetings. Currently operates through funding of CEPF, Government of Norway and WWF. Engaged in policy advise, strategic overview, monitoring and evaluation of ECP implementation process and regional initiatives and programs/projects. 28

29 Caucasus Biodiversity Monitoring Network The inception regional workshop held in December, Development of the Caucasus Biodiversity Monitoring Network initiated through CEPF financial support. It will help to run an effective system for biodiversity monitoring in the Caucasus. It will provide a possibility to update periodically the ECP according to upcoming biodiversity conservation needs and priorities. Inception workshop, 6-7 December,

30 Forest Developed in 2005, WWF s Forest Strategy for the Southern Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and North Eastern Turkey) attempts to address the problem of forest loss in the Caucasus Ecoregion. In , WWF CauPO has identified forest areas which could be included in the existing protected area network. On 13 March 2008, a Memorandum on Cooperation in the field of promotion of FSC-based voluntary forest certification in Georgia has been signed between WWF Caucasus PO and other key forestry stakeholders In cooperation with WWF Germany, involvement of KfW, and financial support by the BMU (German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety), a project on Mitigating Impacts of Climate Change through the Restoration of Forest Landscapes in the Southern Caucasus has been initiated. The proposal on Improving Forest Law Enforcement and Governance (FLEG) in the ENP East countries and Russia has been developed and promoted. The programme implementation is based on partnership between WWF, the World Bank and IUCN. This programme aims to combate illegal logging activities in several countries (including Georgia) and will be sponsored by the European Commission. 30

31 WWF Caucasus Future Plans Priority Directions to be kept for the nearest future: Ecoregional Conservation Plan Priority species Protected Areas Forest Climate Change Regional and Transboundary Cooperation Biodiversity Monitoring System Strengthening Partnership and Cooperation with key stakeholders at national, regional and international levels. 31

32 WWF Caucasus Future Plans WWF values its partners because we know we are stronger and more effective together than alone. The environmental problems we are facing are too large for any one group to tackle alone. Partnership and cooperation at national, regional and international levels: National Coordination Committee Consultations and Meetings with key stakeholders Caucasus Biodiversity Council Ministerial Conference in Berlin, in March, 2006 Forging Partnership among key players, June, 2008, Batumi, Georgia 32

33 WWF in the Caucasus Thank you! 33