BIODIVERSITY
 

Through Decision 523, on July 7, 2002, the Andean Community Council of Foreign Affairs Ministers approved the Regional Biodiversity Strategy for Tropical Andean Countries, with the object of contributing to the generation of viable sustainable regional development alternatives based on the sub-region’s natural resources and the coordination of joint positions at the various international negotiation forums.

The process for the preparation of the Regional Biodiversity Strategy (ERB), during the year 2001, was widely participative and multi-sectorial, with the support of the Inter-American Development Bank and the GTZ. Currently, the Andean Committee of Environmental Authorities (CAAAM) is responsible for the preparation of the Action Plan and the Projects Portfolio, to ensure the application of the Regional Biodiversity Strategy (ERB).

On the other hand, within the framework of the ERB, programs are being implemented with the support of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Conservación Internacional (CI) and the Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean Region (CONDESAN).

ERB Action Plan and Projects Portfolio
The Action Plan attempts to answer four basic questions: what ERB actions will be executed; who will be involved in their execution; how will they be executed; and what means are available to do it. Recently, a process has started for the design of three pilot projects with the support of the IDB.

Andean Biocommerce Program
The CAF, the UNCTAD and the Andean Community General Secretariat have designed this program in order to encourage the use of biodiversity, with sustainability criteria, to generate opportunities which will contribute to the economic and social development of the Andean Community’s Member Countries.

Negotiators Support Program
The initiative promoted by the CAF and the Andean Community General Secretariat centers on providing technical support to Andean Region’s negotiators on matters related to biodiversity and trade.

Strategic Alliance with Conservación Internacional
On June 11, 2003, in the City of Washington, the Andean Community’s General Secretariat and the Conservación Internacional (CI) organization signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote and facilitate the implementation of the Regional Biodiversity Strategy in the Andean Region.

CONDESAN’s Paramo Project
As part of the ERB pilot projects, the Páramo Project, coordinated by the Consortium for the Sustainable Development of the Andean Region (CONDESAN) and aimed at the preservation of the Biodiversity in the High Plateau in the Northern and Central Andes, has the support of the Andean Community Member Countries.