Introduction

In 2002, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Strategic Plan for the Convention (2002-2010), committing themselves to more effective and coherent implementation of the objectives of the Convention to achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss. The 2010 Target was subsequently endorsed by the World Summit on Sustainable Development in its Plan of Implementation (paragraph 44).

Recognizing that, to achieve the 2010 Target, and to review the impacts and effectiveness of existing processes under the Convention, such as meetings of the Conference of the Parties, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, national focal points and the Secretariat, more effective processes for evaluation, reporting and reviewing implementation of the Convention and the Strategic Plan were needed, the Conference of the Parties adopted decision VII/30, paragraph 23 in 2004, thereby establishing the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention (WGRI).

Recommendations adopted by the Working Group are included in draft decisions submitted to the Conference of the Parties for its consideration and adoption.

The outcomes of the three meetings of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention (WGRI) held to date are available below:

• First meeting (WGRI-1) held in September 2005 in Montreal
• Second meeting (WGRI-2) held in July 2007 at UNESCO HQs in Paris
• Third meeting (WGRI-3) held in May 2010 at UNEP HQs in Nairobi