Vth World Parks Congress, 8-17 September 2003, Durban, South Africa

SUMMARY REPORT OF THE
Vth IUCN WORLD PARKS CONGRESS
- BENEFITS BEYOND BOUNDARIES -

Other Daily Reports:
Monday 08 Sep. 2003 // Tuesday 09 Sep. 2003 // Wednesday 10 Sep. 2003 //
Thursday 11 Sep. 2003 // Friday 12 Sep. 2003 // Saturday 13 Sep. 2003 //
Tuesday 16 Sep. 2003 // Wednesday 17 Sep. 2003 / Final Summary

Final Summary
Brief History of the WPC // Introduction to the Report of the Meeting // Opening Ceremony // Benefits Beyond Boundaries // Briefing on the Workshops // Global Partners for PAs //
Focus on Africa // Symposia // Workshops // Cross Cutting Themes //
Closing Plenary // Congress Outputs //
IISD Report // PDF Version // Programme of the Day // Today's Photogallery

The Vth IUCN World Congress on Protected Areas, or World Parks Congress (WPC), convened in Durban, South Africa, from 8-17 September 2003. More than 2,700 participants attended the meeting, representing governments and public agencies, international organizations, the private sector, academic and research institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community and indigenous organizations. IUCN - The World Conservation Union organizes the Congress every ten years to take stock of the state of protected areas (PAs), appraise progress and setbacks, and define the agenda for PAs for the next decade. The theme of the 2003 WPC was "Benefits beyond Boundaries."

Over nine days of plenary and workshop sessions, side events and field trips, participants addressed gaps within PA systems by identifying under-represented ecosystems, defined tools to improve management effectiveness, sought new legal arrangements, and identified partnerships.

The Congress produced several outcomes. The three main Congress Outputs are: the Durban Accord and Action Plan, consisting of a high-level vision statement for PAs, and an outline of implementation mechanisms; 32 recommendations, approved by workshops during the Congress; and the Message to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Other outcomes include: the United Nations (UN) List and State of the World’s Protected Areas, a global report on the world’s PAs; a Protected Areas Learning Network (PALNet), a web-based knowledge management tool for PA managers and stakeholders; outputs on Africa’s PAs, including a recommendation on Africa’s PAs and the Durban Consensus on African Protected Areas for the New Millennium; and a handbook on Managing Protected Areas in the 21st Century, which will collate case studies, models and lessons learned during the Congress, and will constitute the "User Manual" for the Durban Accord.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE WORLD PARKS CONGRESS

1st WPC // 2nd WPC // 3rd WPC // 4th WPC // PAs in the 21st Century //
Regional Meetings // Mountain's Workshop

FIRST WORLD CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL PARKS: The First World Conference on National Parks (Seattle, US, 30 June - 7 July 1962) aimed to establish a more effective international understanding of national parks and to encourage further development of the national park movement worldwide. Issues discussed included the effects of humans on wildlife, species extinction, the economic benefits of tourism, and some practical problems related to park management.

SECOND WORLD CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL PARKS: The Second World Conference on National Parks (Yellowstone, US, 18-27 September 1972) addressed, inter alia: the effects of tourism on PAs; park planning and management; and social, scientific and environmental problems within national parks in wet tropical, arid and mountain regions.

THIRD WORLD CONGRESS ON NATIONAL PARKS: The Third World Congress on National Parks (Bali, Indonesia, 11-22 October 1982) focused on the role of PAs in sustaining society, and recognized 10 major areas of concern, including the inadequacy of the existing global network of terrestrial PAs, and the need for: more marine, coastal and freshwater PAs; improved ecological and managerial quality of existing PAs; a system of consistent PA categories to balance conservation and development needs; and links with sustainable development.

FOURTH WORLD CONGRESS ON NATIONAL PARKS AND PROTECTED AREAS: The Fourth World Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas: Parks for Life (Caracas, Venezuela, 10-21 February 1992) emphasized the relationship between people and PAs, and the need for, inter alia, the identification of sites of importance for biodiversity conservation, and a regional approach to land management. The Caracas Action Plan synthesized the strategic actions for PAs over the decade 1992-2002 and provided a global framework for collective action. The Plan aimed to extend the PA network to cover at least 10% of each major biome by the year 2000.

SYMPOSIUM: PROTECTED AREAS IN THE 21ST CENTURY: FROM ISLANDS TO NETWORKS: The symposium "Protected Areas in the 21st Century: from Islands to Networks" (Albany, Australia, 25-29 November 1997) concluded that PAs face significant challenges, including the need to: move from an "island" to a "network" view of PAs; mainstream PAs into other areas of public policy; manage PAs by, for and with local communities; and raise management standards through capacity building. It produced five outputs: the Road to Durban 2003 – recommendations for planning and implementing the next WPC; imperatives for PAs; a campaign document for PAs – from islands to networks; new directions for the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA); and PAs and the CBD.

REGIONAL MEETINGS: Numerous regional meetings were held in preparation for the WPC. At the West and Central Africa workshop (Kribi, Cameroon, 27-31 January 2003), participants discussed the need for novel financing and poverty alleviation mechanisms, an effective communications system and the involvement of minority groups and women in decision making.

During the Fourth World Ranger Congress (Victoria, Australia, 21-28 March 2003), IUCN and the International Ranger Federation launched an initiative on "Protecting the Protectors: addressing the increasing threats faced by rangers."

Concluding a series of four workshops, a Mediterranean meeting (Murcia, Spain, 26-30 March 2003) considered different experiences and defined Mediterranean specificities.

In South America, a regional forum on national parks and PAs (Buenos Aires, Argentina, 26-28 March 2003) produced the Buenos Aires Declaration, which stresses the protection and management of natural areas as a component of human development agendas. In North America, a workshop was held during the joint conference of the George Wright Society and the US National Park Service on "Protecting our Diverse Heritage: the role of parks, protected areas and cultural sites" (San Diego, US, 14-18 April 2003). In Central America, a regional forum was held (El Zamorano, Honduras, 27-31 July 2003), to discuss draft resolutions and recommendations for the WPC.

WORKSHOP ON MOUNTAINS: A workshop on mountains was held prior to the WPC (uKhahlamba-Drakensberg World Heritage site, South Africa, 5-8 September 2003). Building on the 2002 International Year of Mountains, the workshop covered issues relevant to mountain PA systems, including: transboundary cooperation and peace parks; cultural and sacred resource conservation; ecotourism; and fire and alien species. The workshop approved a recommendation on strengthening mountain PAs as a key contribution to sustainable mountain development. The recommendation was acknowledged as part of the WPC recommendations by the WPC closing Plenary on Wednesday, 17 September 2003.

for more information about the WPC see the About WPC Section

REPORT OF THE MEETING

Under its overarching theme of "Benefits beyond Boundaries," the WPC held plenary sessions from Monday to Wednesday, 8-10 September, and on Tuesday and Wednesday, 16-17 September. The Plenary addressed: benefits beyond boundaries; a briefing on the workshops; global partners for PAs; a focus on Africa; and the Congress Outputs and their implementation.

Seven workshop streams were held from Thursday to Saturday, 11-13 September. Workshop participants met in plenaries and smaller break-out groups to address: linkages in the landscape and seascape; building broader support for PAs; PA governance; developing the capacity to manage PAs; evaluating management effectiveness; building a secure financial future; and building comprehensive PA systems. Three cross-cutting themes on marine protected areas (MPAs), World Heritage, and communities and equity were also addressed within the above workshop streams.

On Sunday and Monday 14-15 September, participants attended short courses and field trips. Discussion groups on WPC recommendations, the Congress Recommendations Committee and the drafting group on the Message to the CBD also held informal meetings throughout the Congress. Drop-in sessions on the Durban Accord and Action Plan were organized on Thursday and Friday, 11-12 September.

The following report outlines WPC discussions based on the agenda of the Congress, and summarizes the main outcomes.

OPENING CEREMONY

On Monday, 8 September, Achim Steiner, IUCN Director General and WPC Master of Ceremonies, welcomed all participants, and highlighted the accomplishment in designating at least 10% of the earth’s surface as PAs.

Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa, drew attention to the UN Millennium Declaration and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, identified poverty and under-development as major threats to nature conservation, and commended the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) for combining environmental and social goals.

HM Queen Noor, IUCN and Congress Patron, highlighted the role of ecosystems in sustaining livelihoods, and of transboundary PAs in promoting peace and security.

Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa and Congress Patron, stressed the need to involve youth in PA management, and to consider PAs’ contribution to poverty alleviation. He said sustainable PAs require partnerships.

A youth representative called for funding for youth programmes related to conservation. Another youth representative stressed PAs’ contribution to the economy, recreation, education, medicine and ecotourism, and called on present generations to manage PAs better for the benefit of future generations.

Klaus Töpfer, Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), delivered a message from Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General. Noting the vital services provided by ecosystems, Töpfer highlighted the need to address the isolation of PAs, ensure adequate funding, protect indigenous people’s rights, and share the benefits of biodiversity equitably.

Ian Johnson, World Bank Vice President, read a statement on behalf of James Wolfensohn, World Bank President. He emphasized three challenges for PA management: ensuring that PAs are ecologically and socially sustainable; providing adequate human and financial resources; and sharing the costs and benefits of PAs equitably.

Zhu Guangyao, Vice Minister of China’s Environmental Protection Administration, outlined his country’s efforts regarding PAs, including the adoption of plans and regulations, international cooperation for transboundary areas, and recognition of the relationship between PAs and surrounding communities.

Len Good, Global Environment Facility (GEF), stressed that developing countries and the poor depend on nature for their development, and expressed the GEF’s commitment to strengthening the global PA network.

Aroha Te Pareake Mead, IUCN Counselor representing indigenous people, emphasized the importance of cultural diversity, equity and justice, and advocated the recognition of indigenous rights and views with regard to PA designation and management.

Yolanda Kakabadse, IUCN President, outlined challenges for PA managers in relation to: mobilizing resources; linking PAs to adjacent lands; involving interested groups in decision making; supporting indigenous communities; and distributing benefits to society.

BENEFITS BEYOND BOUNDARIES

On Tuesday, 9 September, participants met in Plenary to hear keynote presentations on Benefits beyond Boundaries, under the chairmanship of Abdulaziz Abuzinada, Saudi Arabia National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development.

David Sheppard, IUCN, and WPC Secretary General, introduced the WPC process, aims, organization and expected key outputs. He called for a focus on issues of concern, including MPAs and the role of indigenous communities.

Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Society and Conservation International (CI), presented a video on the challenges posed by global change at the local level, highlighting that community initiatives can be used as conservation models.

Angela Cropper, IUCN, recalled the appeal for an approach to PA management that supports sustainable development and conservation, and called for increased financial support and further protection of marine, freshwater and dryland ecosystems.

Kenton Miller, WCPA Chair, emphasized the need to manage PAs cooperatively. He said managers should use science and traditional knowledge to maximize PAs’ value, and suggested adopting voluntary management standards.

Klaus Töpfer presented on the state of the world’s PAs. He said that although the total PA surface area has doubled in the last decade, some geographical categories, notably oceans and lake systems, are still largely under-represented. Underlining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) regarding poverty eradication and environmental sustainability, he called for quantitative targets and timetables.

Bob Scholes, Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA), presented a progress report on the Southern African MA. He explained that biodiversity is a necessary condition for ecosystem services, and said ecotourism is a quantifiable index of biodiversity’s economic value.

Russell Mittermeier, CI President, stressed the need to: expand marine and freshwater PA networks; demonstrate the social and economic values of PAs; recognize ecosystem services provided by PAs; and establish partnerships with indigenous people.

Queen Noor noted that the future of PAs is uncertain due to physical, social and political change.

During a panel discussion, moderator Vuyo Mbuli, South Africa, presented a video on future challenges and scenarios for PA management.

On behalf of Sayyaad Soltani, Iran, Aghaghia Rahimzadeh, IUCN, described the traditional and sustainable livelihood of her pastoral nomadic community, and urged participants to help build capacity and preserve cultural heritage.

Stressing the importance of conservation beyond PAs, André van der Zande, Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries, introduced the concept of ecological networks. Ernesto Enkerlin Hoeflich, President of Mexico’s National Commission on Protected Areas, suggested using a percentage of PA revenues for conservation purposes. John Makombo, Uganda Wildlife Authority, advocated the empowerment of local communities to generate sustainable revenues from PAs.

Estherine Lisinge Fotabong, World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), noted that conserving PAs as biological islands could result in local people losing rights and control over their resources.

BRIEFING ON THE WORKSHOPS

On Wednesday, 10 September, Chair David Sheppard opened the briefing on the workshops, and encouraged participants to comment on the drafts of the Durban Accord and Action Plan, and WPC recommendations during workshop discussions.

Steve Edwards, IUCN, emphasized the need to avoid contradictory statements in Congress Outputs.

Julia Carabias, Mexico’s former Minister of Environment, presented the goals of the stream on developing capacities for PA management, and urged participants to recommend strategies, methodologies, and tools to achieve them.

Mohamed Bakarr, WCPA, outlined the aims and organization of the stream on building comprehensive PA systems. He said the workshop should identify ways to achieve a representative and comprehensive PA system at all levels, set targets, and generate funding.

Carlos Quintela, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), introduced the stream on building a secure financial future, and suggested that discussions focus on how to generate and distribute funding for PAs.

Peter Bridgewater, Ramsar Convention Secretary General, introduced the stream on linkages in the landscape and seascape. He stressed the importance of management beyond PA boundaries, and warned participants of the possible negative consequences of building corridors.

Jeffrey McNeely, IUCN, introduced the stream on building broader support for PAs, recommending that participants focus on: the non-material values of PAs; PAs and local and indigenous communities; supporting PAs during violent conflict; urban outreach strategies; building political support for PAs; and communication.

Jim Johnston, Parks Canada, and Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend, IUCN, presented the stream on PA governance, announcing that the workshop would address questions of equity, decision making, and accountability.

Marc Hockings, WCPA, said the stream on evaluating management effectiveness would explore ways to measure: the state of PAs and ecosystems; progress achieved; the impact of PAs on communities; response to threats; and financial resource requirements.

Ashish Kothari, Kalpavriksh, presented the goals of the cross-cutting theme on communities and equity. He emphasized the need to fully recognize indigenous peoples’ rights in the development of conservation strategies.

Charles Ehler, US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, introduced the MPA cross-cutting theme by recalling related commitments from the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). He said issues for consideration include how to, inter alia: increase the effectiveness of MPA management; integrate MPA management into marine and coastal governance; and conserve marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Introducing the World Heritage cross-cutting theme, Natajaran Ishwaran, UNESCO, noted that site managers often fail to recognize benefits from World Heritage, and recommended the incorporation of relevant training into PA capacity building.

GLOBAL PARTNERS FOR PROTECTED AREAS

On Tuesday, 16 September, the Plenary held panel discussions on tourism, business and PAs, and on extractive industries, under the general theme "Global Partners for PAs."

Tourism, business and PAs: Cheryl Carolus, South Africa Tourism, chaired the session. Mike Leach, Tribal Chief of the Tit’qet St’at’imc Nation, called on participants to work cooperatively with indigenous peoples to protect PAs by drawing on their traditional knowledge and customary laws.

Les Carlisle, Conservation Corporation Africa, presented a tourism model applied across a range of land tenure systems, the key points of which include internal audits, sustainable community development, environmental awareness and biodiversity conservation. Faustine Kobero, Conservation Corporation Africa, described the benefits of the company’s cooperation with a Tanzanian foundation to ensure biodiversity conservation, and highlighted returns to communities, in terms of employment generation and development projects.

Debra Epstein, Canon, outlined Canon’s approach to social and environmental responsibility. Hans Grabias, Krombacher Brewery, presented the Krombacher rainforest campaign. Highlighting the campaign’s success, he noted that partnership with the public sector had failed, and warned that over-regulation can jeopardize cooperation.

Bill Jackson, IUCN, moderated the panel discussion. Stressing that tourism should not be the only strategy for PA sustainability, Penelope Figgis, Australian Conservation Foundation, noted significant improvements in planning, partnerships, and education for PA management. Eugenio Yunis, World Tourism Organization, said sound national policy is a prerequisite for tourism’s environmental and socioeconomic sustainability. Calling for multi-stakeholder and community involvement, he encouraged companies to voluntarily develop their own initiatives.

Carolus identified improving employment opportunities as a main priority. Robert Hepworth, UNEP, stressed that, since tourism is a large user of environmental resources and a potential polluter, all its aspects need to be closely monitored. He advocated certification for tourism companies.

Extractive industries and PAs: Achim Steiner, IUCN Director General, moderated the session. Christine Milne, IUCN, highlighted the conflict between extractive industries and environmental protection and poverty alleviation, and stressed the need to address the negative legacy of extractive industries.

Noting BP’s operations in IUCN-designated areas and ecologically sensitive areas, Greg Coleman, BP, outlined BP’s approach to environmental protection. Stressing the impact of mining on poverty, the environment, and indigenous rights, Joji Carino, President of the Tebtebba Foundation, called for binding minimum international standards and benchmarks to measure the progress of partnerships.

Adrian Loader, Shell, highlighted Shell’s commitment to improve operating practices, and to report publicly on its activities in IUCN designated PAs. Sir Robert Wilson, Chair of the International Council on Mining and Minerals (ICMM) said ICMM includes 15 of the largest oil and gas companies, and noted that the dialogue between ICMM and IUCN had resulted in a commitment not to explore or mine in World Heritage sites. He highlighted problems regarding the consistency of, and the scientific basis for, the IUCN PA classification system.

Stressing the need for targets for the next decade, Adrian Phillips, WCPA, outlined challenges for the extractive industry, including commitments: not to extract resources from PAs in IUCN categories I-IV; not to seek to overturn national legislation prohibiting mining activities in PAs; and to accept the IUCN PA categorization.

During the ensuing discussion, participants highlighted over-mining and human rights violations in various countries. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Costa Rica’s Environment Minister, reported on the prohibition of oil drilling and mining in Costa Rica. Highlighting human rights violations by Shell in Nigeria, a participant expressed concern that Congress’ debates have been dominated by mining industries. Another participant questioned the legitimacy of the ICMM-IUCN dialogue, noting that no governments are included. Noting that extractive activities drive government corruption in many countries, Milne stressed the need for local communities’ prior informed consent (PIC). Wilson said a company can engage in dialogue with a local community only where national legislation provides for local communities’ PIC.

FOCUS ON AFRICA

On Tuesday, 16 September, Walter Lusigi, WCPA, chaired the session on Africa.

Keynote presentations: Through a video presentation, Emeka Anyaoku, President of WWF International, stressed the need to, inter alia, extend the international PA network, and increase training and infrastructure.

Mohamed Bakarr presented a video on Protecting Africa’s Natural Heritage. Highlighting Africa’s social and environmental vulnerability, he described ongoing community projects.

HM King Goodwill Zwelethini of the Zulu Nation advocated a holistic approach towards development and the environment, and stressed the need to incorporate indigenous viewpoints in management.

HM Osagyefuo Amoatia Ofori Panin, King of Akyem Abuakwa and Presidential Advisor on Environment, Ghana, highlighted the need for livelihood alternatives, leadership at all levels, education, partnerships, and financial resources.

Marc Ravalomanana, President of Madagascar, highlighted his country’s commitment to adopting a strategy to conserve the natural heritage and ensure fair benefit sharing, and to supporting NEPAD.

Claude Martin, WWF Director General, recognized progress achieved in Africa since the last WPC, and offered a "Gift to the Earth" certificate to Charles Rabotoarison, Ministry of the Environment of Madagascar, and Pape Diouf, Minister of Fisheries of Senegal, who represented the Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade.

Future of Protected Areas in Africa: Achim Steiner moderated the first panel discussion. Pape Diouf outlined Senegal’s decision to create four new MPAs, and stressed the need to demonstrate to local communities their contribution to poverty alleviation. He called for support for the Sub-Regional Programme for the Conservation of Coastal and Marine Zones.

Murphy Morobe, South African Financial Commission and Fiscal Commission, noted that education is the biggest challenge in South Africa, and highlighted the significance of the World Trade Organization’s Cancún negotiations for development in Africa.

Patrick Bergin, African Wildlife Foundation, emphasized the different value of propositions concerning PAs, depending upon the livelihood strategies of surrounding communities. Rabotoarison called for donor support for conservation and a stronger institutional framework. Michael Rands, BirdLife International, emphasized the need to link conservation and development, and ensure their integration with other policy goals.

Martin stressed that addressing financial constraints requires capacity building, and warned that, although conservation improves conditions in the long term, it is inadequate for short-term poverty alleviation.

Crispian Olver, South African Ministry of Environment, moderated the second panel discussion. Ahmed Djoghlaf, UNEP, outlined the NEPAD’s objectives and ongoing activities, stressing that capacity building is the key to its implementation.

Nicholas Robinson, IUCN, elaborated on the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, approved in July 2003 by the Assembly of the African Union, noting that it offers a framework for consistent environmental policies, capacity building and indigenous communities’ involvement.

Murphy Morobe introduced the African Protected Areas Initiative and called for a collective approach and governmental responsibility.

Presenting on the West Africa MPAs Action Plan, Luc Hoffman, WWF, said the main challenge is communication and cooperation with the outside world.

John Kachamila, Minister for Environmental Affairs of Mozambique, stressed the benefits of raising awareness about PAs, and advocated expanding transboundary PA agreements.

Olver closed the session by calling for a pro-people approach to conservation.

SYMPOSIA

Benefits to People // Managing with Change // Community & Parks // Working at Scale

BENEFITS TO PEOPLE

On Tuesday, 9 September, WPC participants addressed benefits to people, under the chairmanship of Hamid Zakri, Director of the UN University.

Ian Johnson, World Bank Vice President, said the current system of financial valuation fails to capture all biodiversity benefits, and advocated the valuation of ecological services and the recognition of direct benefits, such as employment generation and amenity exploitation. Regarding PA governance, he emphasized the need to reduce corruption, integrate conservation into other policies, and increase transparency.

Carlos Rodriguez noted that, besides their intrinsic value, PAs in Costa Rica provide important economic services, including water for consumption and energy generation, and ecotourism.

Emeka Anyaoku, President of WWF International, emphasized that PAs are crucial to Africa’s future, noting that resources in Africa are decreasing rapidly due to escalating poverty, illness and conflict.

Speaking on behalf of Eduardo Braga, Government of Amazonas, Brazil, Virgilio Viana spoke of PA management in a context where the majority of the population live in urban areas, and called for funding to establish and manage PAs in developing countries.

Eulalie Bashige Balihurya, Director General of the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature, highlighted the effects of armed conflicts on PAs, including deforestation, poaching and assaults on park rangers, and emphasized the need for sustained funding for park management during conflicts.

Hamdallah Zedan, CBD Executive Secretary, identified future challenges, including: involving local people in PA management; integrating PAs in broader landscape and seascape planning processes; creating markets for ecosystem and PA products and services; and providing funding for PAs. He stressed that PAs can be tools for achieving the CBD objectives, the MDGs and WSSD targets.

Irene van Lippe-Biesterfeld, Princess of the Netherlands, highlighted PA’s role in restoring humans’ relationship with nature.

Denise Hamú, IUCN, introduced a video on communication and education instruments related to PA management.

During a panel discussion, moderated by Peter Bridgewater, Ramsar Convention Secretary General, Luz María de la Torre, indigenous representative, said indigenous peoples are no longer excluded. Thomas Lovejoy, President of The Heinz Center, stressed the need to consider PA benefits at all levels. Rili Hawari Djohani, The Nature Conservancy, highlighted the difficulty of advocating long-term benefits from PAs, and managing the expectations of people living in and around PAs. Alan Latourelle, Parks Canada, emphasized the need to engage all communities in PA management to develop a common ecological and social vision.

Aroha Te Pareake Mead, IUCN Counselor representing indigenous peoples, stated that the displacement and cultural alienation of indigenous peoples are the legacy of PAs created without local peoples’ consent. She noted that benefits are minimal when indigenous communities do not manage licensing and concessions in PAs.

MANAGING WITH CHANGE

On Tuesday, 9 September, WPC participants addressed "Managing with change," under the Chairmanship of Mohamed Valli Moosa.

Claude Martin, WWF Director General, presented on the effects of climate change on PAs, and called for: a switch from coal to clean power; energy efficiency measures; adequate resource transfer; and a broader scientific knowledge base.

Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank, said key drivers of change include demographic and urban transition, income growth and globalization.

Describing how PA management is affected by global change, Cristián Samper, Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, said successful PA management requires the empowerment of local communities, access to new markets, and conflict resolution.

Kheng Lian Koh, National University of Singapore, presented the history of environmental cooperation among Asian countries, highlighting the Agreement on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

Marija Zupancic-Vicar, WCPA, explained how the move to market-driven economies and private ownership affected PAs in Central and Eastern Europe, noting that the integrity of PAs was maintained in most countries.

Steve McCormick, President of The Nature Conservancy, described an integrated vision of PAs, and called for an ecosystem approach that incorporates ecological and economic needs.

Julia Carabias, former Minister of Environment of Mexico, underlined the importance of: raising PAs as a strategic priority; establishing specialized management institutions; adopting a financial strategy; promoting stakeholder participation; and developing communication and awareness-raising strategies.

Stressing the benefits of the IUCN PA categorization, Adrian Phillips, WCPA, highlighted the need to integrate excluded groups and address technical questions. John Turner, US Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, outlined a number of positive conservation principles, including protection beyond PA boundaries, science-based decision making, partnership building, good governance.

Jeffrey McNeely, IUCN, moderated the panel discussion. Juan Carlos Gambarotta, Vice President of the International Ranger Federation, called for recognition of the dangers facing rangers. Ton van der Zon, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called for wider PA networks, good governance, poverty alleviation strategies, access and benefit sharing, and addressing corruption and illegal resource use. Graeme Kelleher, WCPA, stressed the need for a zoning process and integrated ecosystem management. Calling for partnerships, Ratu Osea Gavidi, President of the Fiji Tourism Resource Owners Association, noted the link between development and conservation.

Participants raised questions regarding, inter alia, the role of PAs in protecting freshwater ecosystems, the legal implications of zoning the Earth as a PA, and the involvement of recreational and user groups in PAs.

COMMUNITY AND PARKS

On Wednesday, 10 September, WPC participants addressed the issue of community and parks in a session chaired by Yolanda Kakabadse, IUCN President.

Bob Debus, Attorney General and Minister for the Environment of New South Wales, Australia, highlighted the benefits of stakeholder involvement in PA management and biodiversity conservation, including increased public support, employment generation, and reconciliation with aboriginal peoples. He cautioned against inflexible prescriptions and decision making without community support.

Otimio Castillo Infante, on behalf of Sebastião Haji Manchinery, General Coordinator of the Coordination of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin, outlined the conflicts created by the occupation and exploitation of the Amazon, and called for recognition of indigenous rights, co-management and participation, and a ban on disruptive extractive activities.

Francesco Bandarin, UNESCO, introduced the World Heritage Convention and the Man and Biosphere Programme. Noting that biosphere reserves have become places for people and nature, Walter Erdelen, UNESCO, said that they mobilize communities, provide neutral ground for cooperation within and between countries, and promote biodiversity research. He called for education on sustainable development.

Ashish Kothari, Kalpavriksh, presented the community conserved areas (CCAs) concept, noting that CCAs: originate from traditional common resources property management; cover a wide range of ecosystems, sacred and cultural areas outside officially designated PAs; and provide livelihood, economic opportunities, and ecological services. He called for further financial, human and technological support, and the recognition of community rights.

Cláudio Maretti, IUCN, called for the integration of indigenous conservation practices and community management structures into official systems. Stressing indigenous peoples’ rights to self-determination and land, and the problem of forced displacement, Luz María de la Torre, indigenous representative, presented the Indigenous Peoples’ Declaration to the WPC, highlighting: a rights-based approach to sustainable development and conservation; indigenous peoples’ free PIC as a prerequisite to establishing PAs; and full indigenous participation in PA management.

During a panel discussion on parks with or without people, Jannie Lasimbang, indigenous representative, outlined the negative effects of depriving indigenous peoples of their lands for conservation, including the loss of livelihoods, and stressed the economic advantages of entrusting PA monitoring and enforcement to indigenous communities.

Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend, IUCN, stressed that a dominant and culturally biased perception of nature should not damage other cultures. Gustavo Suárez de Freitas, Director of Peru’s National System of PAs, emphasized the need to: use certain PAs restrictively; acknowledge the constraints posed by PAs to indigenous communities; focus on conservation priorities; and reach agreements and share benefits with local communities with rights to the land.

Stating that traditional claims of minority groups should not undermine national economic and security interests, Richard Leakey, Eden Wildlife Trust, opposed politicizing conservation through the indigenous issue. Kai Schmidt-Soltau, German Society for Technical Cooperation - GTZ, emphasized the social costs of conservation and called for either improving resettlement standards of people excluded from PAs, or ruling out resettlement as a conservation strategy.

Rejoice Mabudafhasi, South African Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, introduced a video showing the benefits of a gender-equitable approach to PA management.

WORKING AT SCALE

On Wednesday, 10 September, WPC participants addressed "Working at scale," under the chairmanship of Gwen Mahlangu, South African Member of Parliament, and Trevor Sandwith, Cape Action for People and the Environment. John Briceno, Deputy Prime Minister of Belize, introduced the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor Initiative, a regional effort promoting conservation, sustainable development and poverty alleviation. He called for greater community participation and standardized conservation methodologies.

Describing the benefits of a seamless park network, Fran Mainella, US National Park Service Director, called for conservation beyond PA boundaries, an emphasis on ecosystem integrity, and international partnerships.

Mohamed Valli Moosa, South African Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, described the establishment of a transfrontier PA between South Africa and Mozambique. He said that strong political commitment on both sides helped overcome problems emerging from: the presence of military and agricultural fences obstructing animal movements; abandoned mines; illegal immigration; and sovereignty concerns.

Gustavo Fonseca, CI, emphasized the role of corridors in reducing the vulnerability of isolated PAs. He identified infrastructure development as a cause of biodiversity loss, and stressed the need to conduct threat analysis and generate incentives for conservation.

Mike Fay, WCS, introduced the Congo Basin Forest Partnership, and said challenges include building infrastructure and human capacity, and increasing public awareness.

Identifying oceans as primary life support systems, Sylvia Earle, CI Executive Director, called for the establishment of MPAs and for an increased understanding of marine ecosystems.

Steven Sanderson, WCS, moderated a panel discussion on corridor initiatives. Hemanta Raj Mishra, Sian Development Bank, stressed that the development of transnational corridors is not only a conservation issue but also involves political, social and economic concerns.

Hartmut Vogtmann, President of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, presented on the establishment of a European green belt.

Nick Hanley, European Commission, presented Natura 2000, the main EU programme for PAs.

Juan Carlos Godoy Herrera, WCPA, advocated the establishment of PA networks at different scales, and stressed the need to involve local communities, create international standards for PA management, and develop national mechanisms to communicate best practices.

Jeffrey McNeely, IUCN, stressed the need to strengthen the ecological viability of PAs by increasing coverage and connectivity, and called for political unity, local support for conservation, and international partnerships.

WORKSHOP STREAMS

Linkages in the Landscape/Seascape // Building Broader Support for PAs // PAs Governance // Developing the Capacity to Manage PAs // Building a Secure Financial Future // Evaluating Management Effectiveness // Building Comprehensive PAs Systems

Seven workshop streams were held from Thursday to Saturday, 11-13 September. Workshop participants met in workshop plenaries and break-out groups to address: Linkages in the Landscape and Seascape; Building Broader Support for PAs; PA Governance; Developing the Capacity to Manage PAs; Evaluating Management Effectiveness; Building a Secure Financial Future; and Building Comprehensive PA Systems. The final workshop plenaries adopted recommendations, which were acknowledged by the closing Plenary on Wednesday, 17 September.

LINKAGES IN THE LANDSCAPE AND SEASCAPE

This stream examined ecological and socio-cultural linkages at different scales, and investigated the application of the ecosystem approach to PA management and governance. Special emphasis was placed on: linkages for MPAs; integrated coastal management; bioregional approaches; and transboundary conservation.

Participants attended sessions on: the adaptive response of conservation to climate change; linkages design and restoration; community conservation issues; planning linkages in the landscape; protecting landscape and seascape - IUCN categories V, World Heritage Cultural Landscape and other designations; the freshwater issue; and benefits of MPA networks for fisheries and endangered species - experiences and innovation in scaling up to build networks.

Other sessions focused on: the international game board; creating coexistence between humans and wildlife; integrating biodiversity conservation and mining into land-use planning and management strategies; and implementing MPA networks to sustain the world’s largest marine ecosystems.

Participants acknowledged the inextricable natural and cultural linkages in landscapes and seascapes. Because many PAs exist as fragments in disturbed or degraded areas, delegates recommended that PA management be set in broader landscape and seascape management, and opined that the diversity of ecological landscapes must be matched with a diversity of institutional frameworks.

Participants agreed that corridors are beneficial to conservation areas. They stressed the need to consider ecological and evolutionary processes and to recognize the value of lowland habitats, and concluded that the ecosystem approach must encapsulate PA management issues.

Delegates stressed the need for additional funding through new non-conservation funds, and for increased understanding of, and emphasis on, the linkages and benefits from development, politics, and socioeconomics. Noting that the protected landscape and seascape approach can provide a framework for sustainable development, participants called for greater emphasis on linkages with and between freshwater ecosystems, and on large marine ecosystems and land-sea linkages. A main conclusion drawn from the workshop was that knowledge of linkages in their various aspects must be enhanced, and that a dialogue is needed between all partners, including IUCN’s WCPA and Commission on Ecosystem Management.

The stream approved six recommendations on: integrated landscape management to support PAs; policy linkages between relevant international conventions and programmes in integrating PAs in the wider landscape and seascape; a global network to support the development of transboundary conservation initiatives; preventing and mitigating human-wildlife conflicts; PAs, mining and energy; and PAs, freshwater and integrated river basin management (IRBM) frameworks. Another key output of the workshop stream was a 10-point action plan aimed at implementing these recommendations.

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BUILDING BROADER SUPPORT FOR PROTECTED AREAS

The workshop stream on building broader support for PAs aimed at strengthening existing support and mobilizing important new constituencies for all PA categories.

Participants addressed: building cultural support for PAs; working with neighbors: PAs and local communities; supporting PAs in times of violent conflict; urban outreach strategies for PA agencies; building support from new constituencies; building political support for PAs; and communication as a tool for building support for PAs.

The stream concluded that significant social, economic and environmental changes are posing many challenges to PAs, and identified the need for broader support from numerous interest groups to ensure PAs’ survival. Participants agreed on further work on a 10-year global multi-stakeholder initiative to build broader support for PAs, including action at global, regional, national and site levels. They approved recommendations on: cultural and spiritual values of PAs; cities and PAs; peace, conflict and PAs; poverty and PAs; a strategic agenda for communication, education and public awareness; and tourism as a vehicle for conservation and support of PAs.

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PROTECTED AREA GOVERNANCE

The workshop stream on PA governance aimed to review different PA governance models, discuss key governance issues, evaluate good governance, and provide guidance for decision makers in the future. Participants addressed a range of issues, including: international designation and global governance; high seas governance; customary law; regional lessons learned in PA governance; CCAs; mobile peoples and conservation; transboundary PAs; NGOs and PA governance; private PAs; the role of legal frameworks in globalization and decentralization; co-managed PAs; integrating MPA management with coastal and ocean governance; the role of MPAs in sustainable fisheries; community empowerment; and large-scale governance systems.

Synthesis sessions were held on good PA governance, governance types, communities, equity and PAs, and Congress Outputs.

Participants noted the importance of: community participation; benefit sharing; transparency and accountability; embracing governance diversity; building partnerships; empowering people; adapting to change; and filling the gaps with privately owned, community conserved, and co-managed PAs.

Three recommendations were adopted on: a global network to support the development of transboundary conservation initiatives; good governance of PAs; and recognizing and supporting the diversity of governance types for PAs.

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DEVELOPING THE CAPACITY TO MANAGE PROTECTED AREAS

Recognizing the need to improve capacity at every level to manage PAs adaptively, the workshop on developing the capacity to manage PAs aimed at determining what skills, attributes and support systems are needed for PA institutions, decision makers and practitioners.

Participants identified various factors critical to capacity development, including strong institutions, legal frameworks, planning and management, public participation, and public awareness and support. Regarding institutional structures, participants noted an excessive centralization in PA management and planning, and emphasized that PA concerns must be incorporated into regional land-use planning. They identified the need for adaptive management to enable practitioners to respond to contextual factors and foster ground level initiative.

Participants reviewed various mechanisms to enhance stakeholder participation and recommended public access to information and standardized national participation procedures. Participants also acknowledged the value of community knowledge, and the need to build local communities’ capacities. Regarding the development of human resources, participants called for adequate long-term staffing, the allocation of PA revenues to capacity development, and the adoption of global competency standards for PA staff. Recognizing the potential for capacity building through networks, participants called for: strong networks; sub-regional communication channels; international cooperation for capacity building; and information access for PA managers.

The workshop approved three recommendations relating to: strengthening institutional and societal capacities for PA management; strengthening individual and group capacities for PA management; and the PALNet.

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EVALUATING MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS

The aim of this workshop stream was to present a comprehensive examination of the status of tools for evaluating management effectiveness, including principles, methods and current issues. This goal acknowledged the importance of assessing how successful PA management strategies are at achieving the objectives of conserving biodiversity and generating benefits beyond boundaries.

Participants focused on: monitoring and evaluation models; management effectiveness indicators for local communities; social, economic and management indicators; threats, such as invasive species and wildlife trade; evaluating the effectiveness of the IUCN categories system; exploring PA certification; and the application of evaluation approaches at different scales.

Participants highlighted the need for an enabling environment, partial harmonization of standards and indicators, and robust, rigorous and scientifically sound methodologies. They also stressed the importance of reporting evaluation results, integrating management effectiveness evaluations into all levels of PA management and planning, and incorporating traditional knowledge and social and cultural elements into evaluations. They advocated the application of ecological integrity as a critical component in management effectiveness evaluations. Regarding threats to PAs, participants stressed that: threats occur at multiple spatial and temporal scales; there are commonalities in threats across PAs; and some current and emerging threats are under-recognized. Participants supported the IUCN category system, although some implementation problems were identified.

The workshop stream approved recommendations on management effectiveness evaluation to support PA management, and on the IUCN PA management categories. Participants recommended recognizing, in the Durban Accord and in the Message to the CBD, the significance to PA management of monitoring, evaluating and reporting.

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BUILDING A SECURE FINANCIAL FUTURE

This stream aimed at highlighting the challenges and opportunities of developing sustainable finance solutions for PAs and PA systems. Addressing a range of financial arrangements and options for generating revenue, with emphasis on the development of a business approach to PA management, participants attended sessions on the policy context and institutional arrangements for financing PAs, and on applications of sustainable PA financing. Concurrent break-out groups addressed: trusts and endowment funds; World Heritage status as a tool for strengthening sustainable financing mechanisms; building a complex portfolio to finance MPA networks sustainably; the role of communities in the sustainable financing of PAs; marketing PA ecosystem services; tourism-based revenue generation; the role of private sector partnerships in supporting PAs; forging effective partnerships with oil and gas companies; conservation incentive agreements; debt relief and conservation finance; capacity building; and business planning.

Participants stressed the need to diversify and stabilize the financial flows to PAs and biodiversity conservation. They also supported removing policy and institutional barriers to sustainable financing solutions, and expanding partnerships. Participants adopted two recommendations, on financial security for PAs, and on private sector funding for PAs.

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BUILDING COMPREHENSIVE PROTECTED AREA SYSTEMS

The objectives of this stream were to: review the rationale for building comprehensive PA systems; assess the status of global PA coverage with a focus on terrestrial, mountain, marine, and freshwater systems and on poorly represented biomes; identify gaps in PA systems and ways to address them; and address global change factors and best practice for PA design.

The workshop stream included sessions on the world database on PAs; terrestrial biodiversity; strategies and tools for regional and national approaches to building comprehensive MPA networks; data development strategies for a global freshwater gap analysis; global change; decision support tools for conservation planning; and the cost of effective PA systems.

Separate sessions also focused on: Africa and Eurasia; the Americas; the Asia-Pacific region; methodologies for assessing gaps in the protection of freshwater biodiversity; strategies towards a comprehensive global gap analysis; and wilderness and landscape linkages for biodiversity conservation.

Participants agreed that a concerted effort is needed to ensure that the global PA system is comprehensive, adequate and representative. Key messages included that the global, regional, and national PA networks are far from complete, and that a focus on threatened species and globally important sites, habitats, and realms, including the marine realm, is required.

Noting that scarce conservation resources demand the strategic selection of new PAs, participants urged nations to consider biodiversity-based targets, particularly threatened biodiversity, when determining future priorities for PA network establishment. Participants agreed that, since biodiversity is of global importance, current management shortfalls, particularly in developing countries, and the future costs associated with establishing and managing comprehensive global PA systems, should be a global responsibility. Participants called for cooperation with local communities and other sectors to improve PA coverage.

Stressing that a comprehensive global PA system must incorporate the potential vagaries of biophysical change, especially climate change, participants concluded that anticipated changes should be addressed when planning comprehensive PA systems.

The stream approved recommendations on building comprehensive and effective PA systems, and climate change and PAs.

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WORKSHOP CROSS-CUTTING THEMES

Marine PAs // World Heritage // Communities & Equity

Three themes on MPAs, World Heritage, and Communities and Equity cut across the workshop streams, from Thursday to Saturday, 11-13 September.

MARINE PROTECTED AREAS

The cross-cutting theme on MPAs aimed at providing key operational tools and identifying programmes to achieve the WSSD target to establish a representative network of MPAs by 2012. An emphasis was placed on: improving MPA management effectiveness to protect biodiversity and increase the flow of benefits to communities; strengthening MPAs to enhance living marine resources and maintain ecosystem function; building resilient MPA networks; integrating MPAs in marine and coastal governance; and expanding MPAs in the high seas and exclusive economic zones.

Participants addressed the MPA cross-cutting theme during sessions on: high seas governance; strategies and tools for regional and national approaches to building comprehensive MPA networks; benefits of MPA networks for fisheries and endangered species; building a complex portfolio to finance MPA networks sustainably; evaluating MPA management effectiveness; the role of MPAs in sustainable fisheries; principles and practices to integrate MPA management with coastal and ocean governance; incorporating resilience into MPA design and management; and implementing MPA networks to sustain the world’s large marine ecosystems.

Participants in discussions on the marine cross-cutting theme acknowledged that MPAs benefit marine ecosystems and support sustainable fisheries. They also stressed the need to: act urgently to protect and restore ocean health and productivity; integrate MPAs into wider coastal and ocean governance; identify and share the benefits and costs of MPA establishment and management; increase industry engagement in marine conservation; establish at least five ecologically significant and globally representative high seas MPAs by 2008; increase the number of marine and coastal areas managed in MPAs to achieve the 2012 WSSD goal; design MPAs in such a way as to increase their resilience in the face of global change; and substantially improve MPA management effectiveness and increase resources for management capacity, evaluation, and sustainable conservation.

Participants approved two recommendations, one on a global system of MPA networks, the other on protecting marine biodiversity and ecosystem processes through MPAs beyond national jurisdiction.

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WORLD HERITAGE

Discussions on the World Heritage theme aimed at identifying ways to capitalize on PAs of outstanding universal value to build awareness and support, and at assessing their characteristics, needs and potential. Key areas considered included: assessing the effectiveness of the World Heritage Convention and the management of World Heritage sites; addressing the gaps in the global system of PAs through the Convention; tackling World Heritage issues specific to Africa; and building on the experience of conservation financing for World Heritage sites.

WPC participants considered the theme during sessions on: management effectiveness evaluation; World Heritage as an international tool for conservation cooperation; ways to build political support for World Heritage; a draft World Heritage training strategy presentation; supporting PAs in times of political turmoil; using global conventions and programmes to build support for PAs; international designations and global governance; World Heritage partnerships in sustainable tourism; the impacts of insurgency on World Heritage sites; using World Heritage to link nature and culture; the World Heritage status as a tool for strengthening sustainable financing mechanisms; protecting World Heritage sites in a multiple-use environment; protecting landscapes and seascapes through World Heritage designation; fostering attachment to heritage; and World Heritage sites and transboundary conservation.

A major recommendation emerging from discussions was the recognition that the World Heritage Convention is an effective framework for implementing conservation strategies. Participants also stressed the need to: better integrate the Convention with international, regional and national conservation instruments; finalize the assessment of potential World Heritage sites; achieve universal membership of the Convention; carry out a system-wide assessment of the recurrent operating costs of managing natural and mixed World Heritage sites; use World Heritage sites to attract and build support for PAs; strengthen independent and reactive monitoring through better guidelines and criteria; explore a possible certification system; and ensure the involvement of affected communities in all stages of World Heritage conservation.

The World Heritage theme adopted one recommendation on the World Heritage Convention.

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COMMUNITIES AND EQUITY

The theme of communities, equity and PAs aimed at identifying indigenous and local communities’ rights and responsibilities in PA management. Key focus areas included moving towards co-management of PAs, and recognizing the full range of CCAs within and outside government-designated PAs.

Participants addressed the theme over more than 20 sessions, including on: governance of PAs; PAs and poverty; the role of communities and mobile peoples in sustaining linkages in the landscape and seascape; tourism and communities; customary law and governance; meeting communities’ needs in management effectiveness evaluation; the need for comprehensive PA systems; creating co-existence between humans and wildlife; empowering the rural poor for PA conservation and management; governance and State recognition of communities’ territories and resources; constraints and viability of territories and resources traditionally conserved by mobile peoples; developing capacity for site-level planning, management and monitoring; tenure arrangements and indigenous rights; livelihoods, agro-biodiversity and landscape conservation for communities’ territories and resources; territories and resources traditionally conserved by mobile peoples in partnership with governments; incentives for conservation and fair reward for stewardship; the shift from conflict to collaboration for territories and resources conserved by communities in partnership with governments and other stakeholders; communities’ role in sustainable finance; culture, rights, legislation, policy and capacities for effective community conservation; and a new dimension for the classification of PAs.

The stream’s main recommendations included: moving existing government-designated PAs towards collaborative management by full and equitable communities’ participation in decision making; recognizing CCAs as a legitimate and effective tools for conservation; addressing restitution of rights, responsibilities and compensation at the national and international levels, including through the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission; integrating cultural diversity and survival as key objectives and strategies for PAs; distributing PA costs and benefits more equitably, through securing local livelihoods and revenues, and encouraging ecologically and culturally sensitive tourism; focusing on the needs of disadvantaged people, including mobile and indigenous peoples, the landless, and women and youth.

The theme adopted four recommendations on indigenous peoples and PAs, co-management of PAs, CCAs, and mobile indigenous peoples and conservation.

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