No consensus over resource mobilisation for biodiversity

Hyderabad: The discussions in the ‘contact group’ formed at the ongoing UN convention on biodiversity to try and arrive on the same page over the issue of resource mobilisation for biological diversity have come to an end following a ’no consensus’ situation. The contact group which is co-chaired by Belgium and South Africa, was formed after they failed to reach an agreement on the issue during deliberations in the ‘working groups’. [caption id=“attachment_492317” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  India is expected to play a key role in taking forward the negotiations.[/caption] Resource mobilisation for conservation of biological diversity has emerged as a challenge during the ongoing Conference of Parties (COP-11). David Ainsworth, a spokesperson for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), told reporters in Hyderabad on Tuesday that the issue of resource mobilisation would now be discussed by the regional groups. The debate on resource mobilisation is about some preferring laying out a clear time table and a baseline for it, while others saying that there is no clear information to establish a baseline over the issue. Replying to a query, Ainsworth said the parties will have to eventually come to a decision on resource mobilisation “one way or the other” during the ongoing convention and it is up to them to take a call on what would it be. The high level segment of the convention beginning on Tuesday, which will be attended by ministers of governments, can be expected to work out an agreement on resource mobilisation. India, which assumed presidency of COP for the next two years, is expected to play a key role in taking forward the negotiations, he said. He recalled Special Secretary, Union Environment Ministry, M F Farooqui, expressing the view on Monday that some possible ways can be worked out over the matter. PTI