Workshop on Biodiversity in Western Balkans and …...Work is in progress to develop a strategic document and declaration to be adopted in the Zagreb summit. Western Balkans challenges

EventReport

WorkshoponBiodiversity

inWesternBalkansandTurkey

19November2019,Brussels

ThisProjectisfundedbytheEuropeanUnion

TheprojectimplementedbytheConsortiumofNIRAS(lead)andUmweltbundesamtGmbH



TABLEOFCONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................1

2 OBJECTIVESANDEXPECTEDRESULTS.......................................................................................................1

3 HIGHLIGHTSFROMTHEWORKSHOP........................................................................................................2

3.1 SESSION1:PANELDISCUSSION-INTRODUCTIONANDPOLICYFRAMEWORK(MODERATEDBYMR.NICHOLASHANLEY)..........2

3.2 SESSION2:PANELDISCUSSION–ALIGNMENTOFPOSITIONSFORCBD-COP15ANDREACTIONTOTHEEUROPEANGREEN

DEAL(MODERATEDBYMR.NICHOLASHANLEY)...............................................................................................................3

3.3 SESSION3:PANELDISCUSSION-BIODIVERSITYCHALLENGESOFTHEREGIONANDTHECASEFORCOOPERATION(MODERATEDBY

MR.VENTZISLAVVASSILEV)...........................................................................................................................................6

3.4 SESSION4:PANELDISCUSSION-EXPERIENCEOFCOOPERATIONINTHEREGIONANDELSEWHERE(MODERATEDBYMR.MIHAIL

DIMOVSKI).................................................................................................................................................................9

3.5 SESSION5:DISCUSSIONBASEDONPREVIOUSSESSIONSANDIDEASPAPEROFOPTIONSFORENHANCEDACTION(MODERATEDBY

MR.NICHOLASHANLEY).............................................................................................................................................12

4 CONCLUSIONS.......................................................................................................................................12

5 EVALUATION.........................................................................................................................................14

6 ANNEXES...............................................................................................................................................15

6.1 ANNEX4:JOINTSTATEMENT..............................................................................................................................15

ANNEXES

Annex1:Agenda(providedasaseparatedocument)Annex2:ListofParticipants(providedasaseparatedocument)Annex3:Presentations(providedasaseparatedocuments)Annex3:JointStatement



1 IntroductionTheregionalworkshopTheregionalworkshopon“Biodiversity inWesternBalkansandTurkey” tookplaceonNovember19,2019,inBrussels.TheworkshopwasorganizedincooperationwithTAIEX,andundertheEPPAprojectworkprogramme,activity5.1.4“OrganisationofregionalconferenceonBiodiversityStrategy”.The participants were senior practitioners, decision makers and negotiators engaged in biodiversitypolicy and its technical implementation in the administrations of the beneficiaries of EPPA. Theyrepresentedthebeneficiaries’lineMinistriesforEnvironmentandNatureConservation.The speakers came from a variety of institutional backgrounds, including the European Commission,Member States development agencies, environment Ministries, research centers, internationalorganizations,internationalnon-governmentalorganizations,andEPPAprojectseniorexperts.ThepresentationswillbeavailableatboththeTAIEXwebsiteandtheEPPAprojectwebsite.BiodiversityrelevanceTheWesternBalkansandTurkeyareidentifiedasbeingBiodiversityhotspotsbytheIUCN.Thefeaturesof interest being the extensive mountain areas, relatively unspoilt river and lake systems and thecoastline. In the Western Balkans these resources are frequently covering the territory of severalcountries and their effective protection andmanagement requires good transboundary cooperation.Theseareas support significantpopulationsofendemic species, largecarnivoresandareof value formigratory birds. The biodiversity of this region is under threat from the impacts of development,particularlyfortourism,hydroelectricity,andabandonmentanddeclineofagriculturalland.WorkingmethodsTheworkshopsoughttocreateinteractionsbetweentheparticipatingstakeholdersbystructuringtheproceduresaroundmoderateddiscussionpanels,integratingopendialoguewiththeattendees.2 ObjectivesandexpectedresultsTheconferencegoalwastoelevatethepriorityofregionalcooperationonbiodiversity,bothatpolicyandtechnicallevels,intheEPPAbeneficiaries.Atthepolicylevel,theconferenceprovidedsupporttothepreparationsandconclusionsofaforeseenministerial conferenceunder EPPA, in early 2020. That conferencewill be held in the context of theimplementationoftheBiodiversityelementsoftheforthcomingEuropeanGreenDealinenlargementcountriesbypromotingalignmentwith theEUproposals forglobal,post2020Biodiversityobjectivesexpected tobeendorsedbyCOP15of theBiodiversityConvention inOctober2020. Therewill be acloserelationshipbetweenthesetwoelements1.At the technical level, the conferencewill enable exchange of experience from EUMS, explore andidentify options for the enhancement of national action and regional cooperation in biodiversitymanagementintheregion.Theeffectiveprotectionofbiodiversityofthisregionrequiressoundcrossbordercooperation.Attentiontobiodiversityissueshasbeenthesubjectofanumberofprojectsoverthe years supported by international organisations, individual donor countries and various non-governmental environmental organisations in the beneficiaries. The conference aimed to engage EUPublicAdministrations,anddifferentorganisationsconcerned,andusetheirresultsasagoodbasisforconsideringfutureaction,thuscomplimentingearlierprogrammes.Thispriority isconsistentwiththeobjectiveofpromotingcrossbordercooperationintheEU’sWesternBalkanStrategy.Thespecificobjectiveswere:

1TheEUGreenDealwill include theobjectiveof reinforcementaction toprotectbiodiversity in theEUand theEUdemonstratinggloballeadership in biodiversity action. Recognizing the importance of this in its own right aswell as the value of natural systems inmitigatingclimatechange.ThemeetingoftheCOPin2020willbethefirstopportunityfortheEUtodemonstrateleadershipwiththeCOPplannedtoagree proposals for global objectives and action on Biodiversity up to 2030 and beyond. The support and engagement of enlargementcountriesalongsideEUmemberstateswillbeofgreatvalueinensuringadoptionofEUproposals.



1. Engage and support the beneficiaries in aligning to the EU New Green Deal and encouragethemtodevelopcorrespondingambitions

2. Buildonthereviewofthekeybiodiversityresourcesoftheregionandthechallenges,identifypriorities forcommitments intherun-uptotheCBD-COP15andforrevisedNBSAPsfollowingthe adoption of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, covering national andtransboundaryaction

3. Drawonexperiencewithintheregionandelsewhereto identifymechanismsandapproachesfor enhancing regional cooperation, acknowledging the need for biodiversity policy to besupportedbytheintegrationofactionsacrosswiderpolicyareas

4. Preparecooperationpositionproposalsforapprovalbyministers5. Establishacontactgroup,managedbyEPPASecretariat, todraft finalpositions/proposals for

theministerialconference,tobeorganizedunderEPPAinearly2020.3 Highlightsfromtheworkshop3.1 Session 1: Panel discussion - Introduction and policy framework (Moderated byMr.

NicholasHanley)The European Green Deal and the Biodiversity Agenda: Introduction of goals and scope, Mr.HumbertoDelgadoRosa,Director,DGENVMr. Humberto Delgado Rosa set the stage to his talk by presenting markers of the state of globalenvironment.Hementionedthedegradationofenvironmental resourcesandtheprogressiveerosionof the biosphere’s capacity, endangering life cycles and affecting everyone on the planet. He thenmoved to the unprecedented commitment of a new Commission to preserving and restoringecosystemsthroughanEUGreenDealtobepresentedwithin100daysofthenewCommissiontakingitsmandate.TheoverarchingobjectiveoftheGreenDeal,inBiodiversity,willbetocurtailbiodiversitylossinfiveyearsandofferEUgloballeadershiponthesubject.Themainissuesfacingbiodiversitygovernancearethelackofmainstreaminginkeydriversectorsandlackofmeasurability.Inordertoaddressthat,theGreenDealwillseektoestablishlongtermtargets(avisionfor2050)thatarecompellingandmobilizing.Inaddition,thosetargetsmustbeactionoriented,directlyimpactingoverthedriversofbiodiversityloss.Thesettingoftargetsmustbeaccompaniedbystrongerimplementationandreviewsystems.ThroughtheEUGreenDeal,theEUisseekingtoleadbyexample starting with COP15 of the Biodiversity Convention, where it will present ambitious policycommitments.Mr.HumbertoDelgadoRosainvitedtherepresentativesofenlargementcountriestotakethefollowingideasintoconsiderationwhenoutliningtheirpositionsforCOP15,butalsointhecontextoftheireffortstoalignwiththeEU.

1. Theneedtocommittodifferenttypesofagriculture,movingawayfromintensive,monoculturecropstomoresustainablefarmingpractices

2. Focus on conservation and restoration, including nature-based solutions, by, for instance,increasing the percentage of protected areas within national territories and the goodconservationstatusofthoseareas.

3. Develop the governance tools to ensure conservation (EIA, administrative capacities,enforcementandlegal,financialcapacities)

Theenlargementprocessandtheenvironmentalchallenges,Ms.GuillemetteVachey,PolicyOfficer,DGNEARMs.GuillemetteVacheystartedbystatingtheimportanceoftheEPPAprojectforregionalcooperationand that the EU’s commitment with the Western Balkans remains unchanged, despite recentdevelopments with the applicant status of Albania and North Macedonia. Regarding Turkey, thepartnership with the EU is of mutual interest. The spring 2020 EU summit in Zagreb will be anopportunitytoreaffirmtheEU’scommitmentstowardsenlargementcountries.



In DG NEAR’s perspective, the challenges ahead for the region are the implementation andenforcement of the EU acquis, whichwill require structured cooperation between allministries andadministrationlevelsandcivilsociety.Inaddition,regionalcooperationfortransboundaryissuesshouldremainapriority.Asfortheenlargementgreenagenda,whichwillreflecttheprioritiesoftheGreenDeal,thefocuswillbeonimprovinggovernancethroughmainstreaming–movingfromathematicapproachtoastrategicapproach.Themainfocusareasareforecastedtobecirculareconomy,climateneutrality,biodiversitypreservation and energy transition. It is expected the green agenda to contribute to the sustainabledevelopmentoftheregionandmakeitmoreattractivetoinvestmentandtourism.WorkisinprogresstodevelopastrategicdocumentanddeclarationtobeadoptedintheZagrebsummit.Western Balkans challenges in setting and implementing targets in biodiversity protection andecosystemservices,Ms.IvanaVojinovic,DirectorGeneral,MinistryofSustainableDevelopmentandTourism,MontenegroMs. Ivana Vojinovic presented Montenegro’s biodiversity heritage. Currently, around 13% of theterritory corresponds to some form of protected area (natural parks, nature reserves, etc.). Legally,Montenegrodeclaredinitsconstitutiontobeanecologicalstate.Thatlegalconsecrationisoperationalvia specific nature protection laws, a sectorial strategy and action plan, and also reflected in thecountry’s National Strategy for Sustainable Development. The priority is to maintain the process ofadoptionandimplementationoftheEUacquis.Montenegro is also aware of the value of ecosystem services for the economy. She presented anestimate inwhich investment inMontenegro’s natural capitalmay yield a returnof 1.5billion eurosover25years.However, there are challenges for biodiversity. Montenegro is facing a lack of information due tolimitedmonitoring systems. Urban development, land use, pollution, impacts of climate change andunsustainableuseofresources,forinstanceforests,allpresentthreatstobiodiversity.Ms.IvanaVojinoviclistedasnextstepstheneedtorecognizeimplementationfailuresandrecommittogoals,putahigheremphasisonbiodiversity2020targetsandCBDimplementation,increasedfinancing,increasedcapacities,partnershipdevelopment,baseenvironmentalgovernance inscientificguidance,higher engagement of the regulated communities, the definition of quantitative targets for the post2020 framework together with the adoption of standardized indicators, and further regionalcooperation.ChallengesofCentralEuropeansubgrouptoIPBESregionalassessment,Mr.PeterSkoberne,MinistryofEnvironment,SloveniaMr.PeterSkoberneintroducedthedifferentpolicylevelsatstakewhendiscussingbiodiversity(CBD,EUBiodiversityStrategyto2020,EUActionPlanfornature,peopleandtheeconomyandtheforthcomingGreenDeal).HethenlookedatthelatestIPBESregionalassessmentreportforEurope,highlightingtheresults for theDinaric region. The region is rich on biodiversity but faces significant risks. The socialerosionofremoteagriculturalareaspresentsconservationdifficulties,therearepressuresfromenergysector, tourism, and infrastructure development. In addition, the low political profile for natureconservationleadstoweekcapacitiesandweakenforcement.Theavailabledataisdisperseddataandknowledgeonbiologicaldiversityisincomplete.Mr.PeterSkobernethengavetheexampleofSloveniaandhowthecountrymanagesnature,namelytheNatura2000 networkwhich covers 37% of the country and poses significant challenges. The keyfactorsforsuccesshavebeensupportoftopdecisionmakers,participationofstakeholders,soliddataonbiodiversityandavailablefinancingmechanisms.Finally,hehighlightedtheneedtocooperateandnetwork,bothnationallyandinternationallyontheframeworkofexistingandcomingplatforms.3.2 Session2:Paneldiscussion–Alignmentofpositions forCBD-COP15andReaction to

theEuropeanGreenDeal(ModeratedbyMr.NicholasHanley)Mr.AnneTheoSeinen,InternationalRelationsOfficer,DGENV



Mr. Anne Theo Seinen stressed the importance of involving all stakeholders, Commission, MemberStates andenlargement countries, in the cooperative developmentof ideas in the frameworkof theGreenDealandthepositionsfortheCBDCOP15.Inthissensetheworkshopcomesatapertinenttime.Aglobalbiodiversitygovernancecanonlyworkwithownershipandcommitmentofallinvolvedparties.TheEUwishestohaveastrongerreviewandimplementationmechanismwithmeasurableactionsandoutcomes,basedonSMARTtargetsaddressingthedriversofbiodiversityloss.ThereisalreadyadatabaseofglobalindicatorsmanagedbyOECD.ThoseindicatorscanbeabaseforthedesiredSMART targets, allowing for comparabilityand impactmeasurement. Inparallel,nationalstrategiesneedtobealignedwiththenewtargets.Bothcomponentswilldrivebetterimplementation.It is recognized that COP15 might not result in immediate alignment of national strategies, due todifferenttimelines,butitwouldbeimportanttodevelopcommitmentsforeachcountryregardingtheimplementationofthepost2020framework.Finally, inthereviewandimplementationmechanism,aratchetingupcomponentshouldbeincludedtoaddressfluidresultsandpotentialgapsorproblems.Mr.AnneTheo Seinen alsohighlighted thediscussionon theoutcome-oriented targets.He gave theexample of the zero human induced extinctions. Such targets will require action across the board,involvingotherpolicysectorslikesustainabledevelopment,povertyeradication,etc.Anotherareaforindicatordevelopmentisecosystemhealth.ThereisalreadysomeworkinprogresswithintheEUinthisarea. Ideally, there shouldalsobeefforts to connect the indicatorswithalreadyexisting frameworkslikethe“GoodEnvironmentalStatus”undertheMarineFrameworkStrategyDirective.Another topic for discussion are area based targets, for instance 30% of protected areas. There is apertinentargumentfortheincreaseofsuchareas.Withinthat,connectivityandeffectivemanagementarealsopointsoffocus.Mainstreaming of biodiversity concerns and involvement of business should be on the agenda.Businessesnotonlyimpactnaturalcapital,buttheyalsodependonitfortheirvaluechain.As a final point fordiscussion,Mr.AnneTheoSeinen referred to the intention to adopt a long-termstrategyforcapacitybuilding inCOP15CBD,thatwill takeacomprehensiveviewonthesubjectevenbeyondCBDgoalposts.Thatcapacitybuildingshouldtargetstabilityofgovernancesystemsandcreatelinkstoscientificandeducationalsystems.Ms.OrnelaCuci,DeputyMinister,MinistryofEnvironmentandTourism,AlbaniaMs.OrnelaCucipresentedAlbania’sbiodiversityheritage.In2018,Albaniahad18.8%ofitsterritoryasprotectedareas.Thatnumberisplannedtogrowto21%inthenexttwoyears.Intermsofbiodiversitypriorities,thecountryisseekingtocontinuelegislativeapproximationwiththeEU, toupdate itsbiodiversitystrategy, tostart implementationof theexistingmanagementplans forprotectedareas,toidentifyNatura2000sites,toimproveimplementationandmonitoring.Ms.OrnelaCuciexemplifiedtheGovernment’swillingnesstoimprovethestateofnatureconservationwith the 2014-2021 hunting ban, which is resulting in the return of wild species and increasing theseveralspeciespopulationnumbers.Anotherexampleprovidedwastheforestmoratoriumfrom2017to2027.Albaniahadlostaround37%ofitsforestinrecentyears.Sincetheloggingbanisinplacethatalarmingdecreasehasbeenhalted.Ms.OrnelaCuciannouncedtheCouncilofMinisterswaspreparedtoadoptabanonplasticbagsonNovember20,2019,tobefollowedbyaprojectedbanonallsingleuseplastics.The speaker continued by giving other examples of governance initiatives related to natureconservation. The Clean and Green 2020 project is promoting the planting of 20 million trees, byconnectingplantingdriveswithschooleducationandbirths(onenewborn,onenewtree).The project Smile Albania employed 500 students over the three summer months to provideenvironmentaleducation to thegeneralpublicusingan “educateandprotect”approach.Ms.OrnelaCucistatedthattheprojectresultedina100%increaseinthenumberofvisitorstoprotectedareas.Anotherprojectmentionedwas theCreateYourOwnOxygen,where schoolshaveassignedareas toplantandmanage treesunder theprinciple thateachchildadoptsone tree. It is seenasameansofsustainablereforestation.



In terms of perceived needs in Albania, the speaker identified regional cooperation in creating andsharingnaturemonitoringdataasabasisforpolicymakingandmanagementandregionalcooperationtodevelophome-growntechnicalexpertise.Inconnectionwiththepreviouspoint,itisconsideredthatAlbaniahasaknowledgeandresearchgap.Ms.SandraMilicevicSperliconbehalfofMr. IvanKaric,StateSecretary,MinistryofEnvironmentalProtection,SerbiaMs. Sandra Milicevic Sperlic summarized the Serbian reaction to the EU Green Deal proposal. Thecurrentstrategyforbiodiversityisthebackdroppolicydocumenttoengageinanydiscussionaboutthepost 2020 biodiversity framework. Serbia supports exploring potential solutions for improvement. Inaddition,thepost2020frameworkshouldtakeintoaccountotherinternationalpolicymakinglikethe2030agendaforsustainabledevelopmentandtheParisAgreementonClimateChange.Therewasarecentconsultationaboutthepost2020biodiversityframeworkorganizedbytheMinistryinBelgrade.Oneof themainconclusionswas the importanceofmainstreamingbiodiversitypolicy inother sectors like forestry, water management and agriculture, while also securing the necessaryfunding.Serbia expects to finalize by December the coordination of its negotiation position for Chapter 27,includingnatureprotectionanditsstakeholders.Serbiamadesignificantprogress inthetranspositionof nature acquis and corresponding policies. The country is currently developing capacity for theassessmentandevaluationofecosystemservices,andfortheidentificationofsitesfortheNatura2000network in the country based on several IPA projects and national funding. Serbia sees thedevelopmentofcapacitiesfortheenforcementoftheWTRasanimportantstep.Thecountry isalsopreparingforalignmentwiththeIASregulation.Serbiaalsoparticipates inBiodiversitytaskforce(BDTF),atechnicalandadvisorybodytotheregionalworking group on environment of the RCC. Transboundary action for nature conservation in thewesternBalkansisnecessarytohaltthelossofbiodiversityintheregion.Serbiaalreadyhasestablishedcooperationwith Romania,Hungary andCroatia for themanagement of certain cross border natureareas.TheMinistryseesecosystemservicesasanimportanttooltopreservebiodiversityandserveasclimatechangemitigationandiscurrentlypreparingastrategyto linkclimatechangeandbiodiversity. Inthisregard, the draft low carbon development strategy analyses 3 sectors most vulnerable to climatechange and proposes mitigation options. In addition, the second national communication of theRepublicofSerbiacontainsalistofadaptationmeasuresrelatedtonature.Serbia isalsopreparingastrategicdocumentfornatureprotection,thatwillbealignedwiththepost2020biodiversityobjectives.Mr. Jani Makraduli, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning NorthMacedoniaMr. JaniMakraduli startedbysetting thecontextof theEUGreenDealdiscussion.According tohim,Europe is facing a twin crisis of environment and economy. The outcomes of the last EuropeanParliament elections inMay 2019 voiced citizen concern about those twin crises,which led thenewCommissiontoproposeapolicyanswertotackleboth:theEUGreenDeal.HethengaveanoverviewoftheGreenDealbasedonpubliclyavailableinformationsofar,highlightingthemainpillarsofthenewpolicy:Europetobecomethefirstclimateneutralcontinentbydefining2050targetsinlaw,extendingthe EU Emissions Trading System, promoting a just transition, reinforcing the circular economy,promotingtheEuropeanclimatepact,investingingreenfinancing,definingambitiontargetsfor2030,and including a biodiversity strategy. In terms of biodiversity the emphasis is on preserving andrestoringecosystems,settingnewstandardsforbiodiversitycuttingacrosstrade, industry,agricultureandeconomicpolicy (BiodiversityStrategy for2030),andprovideglobal leadership leadstartingwiththe2020Conferenceof theParties totheConventiononBiologicalDiversity, in thesameway likeatthe2015ParisClimateConference.



Mr. JaniMakraduli thenschematizedhowtheGreenDealmight translate intoanenlargementgreenagenda,whichwillinturnreflectonpolicydriversforNorthMacedonia,or,asheputit,“anewcarrotandstickfortheregion”.HecontinuedbyquotingfromthelatestNorthMacedoniaprogressreportinordertosetthestageforthecountry’sprogressinNatureissues.Macedonia has a National Strategy for Nature Protection (2017-2027) and a National BiodiversityStrategyandActionPlan(2018-2023).Thelatterhas5strategicgoalsand20ambitioustargets.Hethenpresentedthenationalsystemofprotectedareas.Currently,8.9%oftheterritoryisundersomeformofprotection.Managementplansareeitherdevelopedor indevelopment forspecificareas.HeusedtherecentlyreleasedUNECEEnvironmentalPerformanceReviewofNorthMacedoniatohighlightsomeof the needed next steps: biodiversitymonitoring, inventories and research programs; developmentand implementation of policies, strategies and conservation action plans; strengthening the nationalprotectedareanetwork;andestablishingastronginstitutionalframeworkfornatureprotection.In terms of regional cooperation, North Macedonia is also a member of the Biodiversity taskforce(BDTF), a technical andadvisorybody to the regionalworking grouponenvironmentof theRCC.Hesummarizedsomeoftheworkdonebythegroup.In terms of climate change impacts, North Macedonia released a communication on the matter,mappingthesensitiveareas.18habitatsand58plantspecieswereidentifiedasvulnerableonclimatechange.NorthMacedoniaisalsoworkingtowardstheapplicationoftheecosystemservicesconcept(mappingecosystems, developing indicators, define payments) and nature-based solutionsandprotectedareastoimproveurbanbiodiversityandhealth.He finalized by calling for a clean energy transition as an economic opportunity and environmentalimperative. A long term, overarching vision is needed for the Western Balkans to address thebiodiversitythreats:impactofdevelopment,tourism,hydroelectricity.In the discussion that followed, Mr. Anne Theo Seinen, responding to the carrot and stick remark,commentedthatthenewpolicyisstillinthemakingandthattheregionhasmuchtogainfromgettinginvolvedintheCBDCOP15preparationprocessandtoformulaterealisticambitions,inthatframework,onhowtotacklenegativetrends.Ms.OrnelaCuciraisedtheissueofthechallengesfacingcountriesdealingwithchapter27negotiations.Alignmentchallengesexisting implementationsystems, theareawheremoreassistance isneeded. Inthisregard,Ms.OrnelaCucicalledformoreinvolvementinEUinitiativestoimproveenforcementand,in particular for Albania, requested more attention to the need to support the deployment andmonitoringofexistingandfuturestrategiesandactionplans.Mr. Nicholas Hanley commented that indeed the outcome of alignment should be more than justtransposition. All EU countries have implementation issues, it is not an exclusive gap to theenlargementarea.Recognitionof regional cooperation in theworkshop is encouraging,which showsthe region’s ambition todobetter. In this regard, theCBDCOP15gives theenlargement countries auniqueopportunitytoshowthatambitionandtranslateitintopolicyleadership.3.3 Session 3: Panel discussion - Biodiversity challenges of the region and the case for

cooperation(ModeratedbyMr.VentzislavVassilev)ThreatstotheBalkanGreenBelt,Mr.GabrielSchwaderer,CEO,EuronaturMr.Gabriel Schwadererpresented thebiodiversityandcultural richnessof theWesternBalkansasabackdroptoeffortstopreserveitforthepresentandfuturegenerations.HecontextualizedtheBalkanGreenBeltwithinthelargerinitiativeoftheEuropeanGreenBelt.TheEuropeanGreenBeltrunsfromthe Barents Sea to the Black Sea, spanning eight distinct bio-geographical regions and twenty-fourstates in Europe.Along the twelve thousand fivehundred (12.500) kilometres it connectswildernessareas, cultural landscapes,water ecosystems, coasts and largewoodlands. It roughly corresponds tothe former Iron Curtain and it contributes to the crossboundarymanagement of ecosystems and tofunctionasanecologicalnetworkconnectinghigh-valuenaturalandculturallandscapes(inthisregardit is also a goodexampleof green infrastructure)whilst respecting the economic, social and culturalneedsoflocalcommunities.



InthewesternBalkansthecorridorhasa50kmwidth,around115000km2ofproposedarea,reflectingtheregion’srichness.Thecorridordefinestheareawhereactivitiesoftheinitiativeareconcentrated.40%ofthatareaalreadycorrespondstonatureprotectionsites.Mr.Gabriel Schwaderer finalizedwith an appeal to include the BalkanGreenBelt area into nationalspatial plans as priority area for nature conservation and sustainable development. The area offersopportunities for transboundary ecosystemmanagementon the ground (Prespa,Ohrid, Bojana-Bunadelta,Shebenik-Jablanica,SharPlanina/Khorab,Osogovo,Djerdabandmanyothers).Mr. Vlatko Trpeski, Head of Nature Department, Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning,NorthMacedoniaMr.VlatkoTrpeskistartedbycharacterizingNorthMacedonia.Ithasaverydiversenature,representedby various elements of geodiversity, biodiversity and landscape. The abundance and variety ofecosystems, types of natural habitats and wild species, as well as genetic resources, are the mainfeatures of biological diversity in the country. According to the available information, this wealthcomprisesmorethan23019species,outofwhichmorethan976speciesareendemic.Intermsofpolicydevelopments,hehighlightedthenewlawonNatureprotection,whichisinlinewithEUBirdsandHabitatDirectives.WorktoestablishmonitoringprotocolsfornationalandEUspeciesandhabitatsisalsoinprogress.The country is now implementing the actions fromNational Strategy forNature Protectionwith theActionPlan(2017-2027)”andthe“NationalStrategyforBiodiversitywiththeActionPlanfortheperiod(2018-2023)”. In parallel, there is field research for future Natura 2000 sites, and high nature valueforest identification andbeach forest nomination. The national red list assessment for herpetofaunaand selected plants (IUCNmethodology). There are plans to develop a new information system fornaturalheritage.Mr. Vlatko Trpeski then gave updates regarding the management of protected areas, including theprocedurestodeclarenewareas.Regardingregionalcooperation,theOhridPrespaNatureFund(PONT)wasmentioned,aswellastheGEFproject“EnablingTransboundaryCooperationandIntegratedWaterResourcesManagementintheExtendedDrinRiverBasin”.Thereisbilateralcooperationbetweenneighbours(BulgariaandGreece).Inaddition,Mr.VlatkoTrpeskipresented inmoredetail theBDTFofwhichMacedonia isamemberof.The group organizes regularmeetings and promoted the joint participation and presentation of SEEeconomies at the CBD COP14: BDTF inputs for the HLS segment, SEE Aichi poster and side-event inpartnershipwithSADC,ECandCBD.TheBDTFalsoparticipatedintheCBDConsultationWorkshoponthepost-2020GlobalBiodiversityFrameworkforCentralandEasternEuropeinSerbia,2019.Currentlythe group is working on a communication strategy, a Biodiversity Information Management andReporting (BIMR) Policy Paper, regional guidelines on ecosystem services assessment and valuation(ESAV) inprocessesofestablishing(PAE)andmanaging(PAM)ofprotectedareasinWesternBalkans,preparingthepositionofBDTFforCBDCOP15andEUPost2020,jointparticipationattheIUCNWorldConservationCongress2020,supportingtheimplementationofpriorityactionsforAichiTarget11,anditseekstobeapartnerfortheEUGreenDeal.Ms. Jelena Ducic,Ministry of Environmental Protection, Sector for Nature and Climate Changing -HeadofDepartmentforBiodiversity,SerbiaMs.JelenaDucicwelcomedtheworkshopasarelevantvenuetocoordinatepositionsontherunuptoCBDCOP15.Serbiaisapartofanumberofmultilateralagreementsandiscommittedtointernationalcooperationforbettergovernance.She thenexplained that Serbia is in theprocessofpreparing itsNatura2000network. Theecologicalnetworkwillcover21%oftheterritory,butthereareexpectationstoenlargethatfigureovertime.ThebackboneofnatureprotectioninSerbiais itsLawonNatureProtection.Serbiahasdeveloped4IUCNredlistsandmorewillbeforthcomingbasedonstatebudgetfunding.Regarding regional cooperation,Serbia isapartof theGreenBelt initiativeand it runs several cross-bordercooperationactivitieswithneighbouringcountries,includingEUMemberStates.Serbiaisalsoa



partoftheBDTF,whichitseesasanimportantvenuefortechnical,regionalcooperationandatooltoharmonize the position of its members regarding the post 2020 biodiversity framework.Ms. JelenaDucic also mentioned the Serbian presidency of EUSAIR and ongoing work to develop jointmanagementplansforlargecarnivores.Mr.BorisErg,Director,IUCNRegionalOfficeforEuropeandCentralAsia(IUCNECARO)Mr.BorisErgfocusedhistalkonregionalcooperationintheWesternBalkans,itsstateofplayandwaysforward. He startedwith summary facts about the region. TheWestern Balkan is home to rich andimportant biodiversity, including many threatened, rare and endemic species. It is a part of theMediterraneanBasinBiodiversityHotspot,oneofthe35globalbiodiversityhotspots.TheDinaricKarsthasbeenidentifiedoneofthetwomostimportantkarstsystemintheworld,nexttotheSouthChinaKarstWorldHeritagesite.The region includes21Ramsar sites,4UNESCOBiosphereReserves,and3natural or mixed World Heritage sites (including transboundary ones). The European Green BeltInitiative intersects vast part of the region forming the southernmost section of the initiative – theBalkan Green Belt. Countries are working on establishing the Natura 2000 Network as part of theaccessionprocesstotheEuropeanUnion.Intermsofthestateofnatureconservationintheregionitfallsbehindwhenitcomestooneimportantindicator,PAdesignation–AichiBiodiversityTarget11.Currently(2018numbers),at8.8%ofterritoryregionally.Hethenwentthroughsomeofthemainthreats,namelytourism,hydropower,urbanization,pollution,intensive agriculture, exploitation of natural resources and poaching, climate change and excessivealterationofriversandwetlands.Regardingregional initiativesMr.BorisErgfocusedontheSEEBiodiversityTaskForce,ofwhich IUCNactsasSecretariat.Heprovideddetailson thestructureandorganizationof the task forceand listedworkinprogress,namely:openingofBDTFtoapplicationsforassociatemembersandinvitedexperts,developing theBDTF strategy for communication and stakeholder engagement, developing theBDTFvisual identity, co-organizing side-events at the CBD COP14, IUCN Regional Conservation Forum,upcomingSBSTTA-23,draftingrecommendationstothepost-2020area-basedtargetincludingafocusonmanagementeffectivenessandSMARTelements.HealsomentionedtheBIMRregionalplatform(Biodiversity InformationManagementandReporting)seeking to consolidate biodiversity information and data management and fostering the SEE regiontowardsjoiningtheGBIFcommunity,aswellasthedevelopmentofanInformationSystemforNatureConservation(ISNC).He concluded with the main take home lessons for biodiversity in the region. The region’secosystems/naturalcapitalwon’tstandgrowingpressureswithoutbeingeffectivelymanaged–currentinvestmentinnatureisnotsufficient.Inaddition,tomakebiodiversityconservationwork,weneedtosetambitious,clearandmeasurabletargetsfor2030and2050.AndstronglysupporttheengagementoftheWesternBalkansindiscussionsonthepost-2020globalbiodiversityframeworkandintegrationofthenewframeworkintonationalpolicies(workinggrouponthepost-2020).Regionalandtransboundarycooperationandconservation intheWesternBalkansarekeytotacklingthelossofbiodiversityandecosystemservicesatlandscape-scalelevel.WildRivers-Campaign‘SavetheBlueHeartofEurope’,Mr.GabrielSchwaderer,CEO,EuronaturMr.GabrielSchwadererpresentedtheSEEWildRivers-Campaign ‘SavetheBlueHeartofEurope’.Hestartedbyestablishing thegood stateof rivers in theWesternBalkans.Often, thesewaters are alsoinside protected areas. The campaign developed specific criteria do perform a hydromorphologicalassessmentofthewatersintheWB.Datawascollectedonaround80000kmofrivers,resultingintheclassificationof rivers in5 categories (ranging fromNear-natural to Severelymodified). Themappingresultedinanoverviewthatshowsthatasignificantpartoftheregion’sriversareNear-Naturaloronlyslightlymodified,thetop2categories.This state of affairs is threatened by the development of hydropower, that sacrifices river basedbiodiversity.Therearecurrently2,796hydropowerplantsplannedand188underconstruction.Outof



those,around1000areplannedinsideprotectedareas.Around1600kmorwildrivershavebeenlostalreadysince2008.Basedonthehydromorphologicalassessment,Euronaturisproposingthattoprivers(nearnaturalandslightlymodifiedstates)beprotected fromhydropower, including theadjacentareas, througha“no-go”areasmap.Thatcorrespondsto76%(61033river-km)ofalltheriversanalysedduetotheirhighquality and other biodiversity conservation factors. Euronatur estimates that 89% of the plannedhydropoweriswithintheirproposedno-goareas,mostbeingsmallerthan10MWandcontributingnomorethan3%oftheregion’senergysupply.Mr.GabrielSchwadererquestionedifthehighcostoflossofnatureandbiodiversityisworththose3%.Thediscussionthenturnedtoenergytransition.Euronaturorderedanenergystudyfortheregion.TheconclusionswerethatmostWBcountrieswouldfailtoreachrenewabletargets,evenifalldamswouldbebuilt;windandsolarcoulddeliverenoughopportunitiestoaccomplishthecountriesNREAPtargetsandcouldsubstitute“no-godams“.Mr. Gabriel Schwaderer finalized with some recommendations on possible ways forward. Themostimportantofwhich is a switch inenergypolicy to focusonenergyefficiencyanddemand reduction,developmentof an ambitious strategy towards renewables (focuson solar), stop subsidies for hydroandredirecttorealrenewableslikesolar.Inaddition,developaneco-masterplanforriverswithno-gozones, usewild rivers as a cornerstone for a sustainable tourism strategy, and develop cross borderriverbasinmanagementplans.3.4 Session 4: Panel discussion - Experience of cooperation in the region and elsewhere

(ModeratedbyMr.MihailDimovski)CSBL project challenges identified in nature legislation implementation in water, fishery andbiodiversity protection at Skadar, Ohrid and Prespa lakes, Ms. Andrea Goertler, Advisor forTransboundaryCooperation,GIZMs.AndreaGoertlerpresentedthelessonslearntintheGIZProject“ConservationandSustainableUseof Biodiversity at Lakes Prespa, Ohrid and Shkodra/Skadar” (CSBL) in terms of opportunities andchallenges in transboundarymanagement ofwater resources, fisheries and biodiversity.Ms. AndreaGoertlerpresentedtheproject’sbiodiversityproducts,amongwhicharepreselectionofpriorityspeciesand habitats for monitoring and conservation, transboundary Action Plan for bats species at LakeShkodra/Skadar, improved protection of core breeding zone of Dalmatian Pelican at Lake Skadar,Harmonizedmonitoringandconservationofpriorityspeciesandhabitats(transboundaryandGO–NGOcollaboration), improved biodiversity data management, monitoringManual for Lake-bound SpeciesandHabitatsandN2000habitatmappingatSkadarLake(MNE)anddraftreferencelist.TheprojectalsodeliveredimportantresultsinwatermanagementincludingaProgrammeofMeasuresfor Lake Skadar (MNE) – integrated into RBMP Adriatic and a Programmes of Measures for lakesShkodra(AL)andPrespa(AL)–tobe integrated intoDrinRBMP. Intermsof fisheriestheprojectwilldelivercapacitybuildingoffisheriesauthoritiesandassociations,lakereportsonfishandfisheriesandestablishmentandhandoverofdatabaseonfishassemblages(>130,000entries)andatransboundaryEelManagementPlan.Intermsof lessons learntanddriversofsuccessMs.AndreaGoertlerfirstlypointedoutthetechnicalWorking Groups as Motor of Transboundary Cooperation which brought together institutionalcounterparts from 3 countries, combined local knowledgewith capacity building for new processes,supported long-term joint investigations and development of methodologies, facilitated informationsharingandaccesstodataanddroveownershipoftheprocessesandproducts.EUApproximationwasa second important driver for transboundary cooperation in the programmes of measures anddevelopmentofmethodologies.TheValueofTransboundaryAgreements/Commissionsalsodeservesamention as it allows for institutionalization of transboundary cooperation, even if “slim” (avoidingoversized bureaucratic structures). Planning and taking national actions with a transboundaryperspective can facilitate harmonized management of shared resources across borders and, finally,interdisciplinarityandcross-sectoralintegrationallowstomainstreamandintegratesectoralmeasureswithotherareas.



FromMs. Andrea Goertler’s perpective challenges remain both in thewake of the project, but alsomorebroadlyapplicabletoanyproject-basedintervention.Shementionedthatcontinuousmonitoringofparamountimportance,aswellasdatasharingandownership.Gooddonorcoordinationisneededtoavoidreplication–especially inregional initiatives.Nationalgovernance/institutionalcohesionandfinancial sustainability isanecessarybasis forbeingagood transboundarypartner.Finally, there isafinancialgaptoachieveEUstandards,especiallyforwastewatertreatmentfacilities.

Bird areas and conservation challenges, particularly the Adriatic flyway,Mr. Ariel Brunner, SeniorHeadofPolicy,BirdLifeEuropeandCentralAsiaMr.ArielBrunnertalkedabouttheAdriaticflywayacrossthewesternBalkans.Manyvulnerablespeciesusethewetlandshabitatsalongtheflyway,buttherehasbeenathreequarterslossofthoseareasoverthelast150years.SomeoftheremainingsiteshaveagreatimportanceatEuropeanlevel.Inaddition,themajorityoffree-flowingriversremaininginEuropearelocatedintheWesternBalkans.Theregionalso has pockets of old growth forest providing unique habitats, as well as dry grasslands rich inendemicspecies.Largestracksoftraditional farmlandremain,whichare importantcomponentsofabiodiverseecosystem.Mr.ArielBrunnerunderstandstheneedtodevelopagriculturalproduction,butherecommendsthatthedevelopmentleapfrogsoverthecurrentstandardsofintensiveagriculturetoavoidfurtherdamage.Intermsofthemostrelevantproblemsforbirds,unstainablehuntingandpoachingaregravethreatswithmillionsofbirdskilledannually.Rapidurbanization(andsubsequentwasteandairpollution)anddisruptionofhydrologicalelementsalsothreatenthehabitatsbirdpopulationsdependon.Itshouldbeaprioritytoincreaseenergyefficiencytoavoidthedestructiveadvanceofhydropower.Deforestationisalsoamajorconcern.InMr. Ariel Brunner’s opinion the Natura 2000 will be an essential infrastructure for the region tomanage its biodiversity. In general, EU alignment offers opportunities to build better governance byenactingactivepoliciesseekingpositiveoutcomes.The most important areas for policy making and cooperation are building capacities for lawenforcement,standardizinginvestigationtechniques,improvecontrolontheborders,investinspeciesconservationandcoordinatetheimplementationofNatura2000acrossborders.Green infrastructure deployment and ecological connectivity status: corridors for movementbetweenprotectedsitesforlargecarnivoresandotherspecies,Mr.VentzislavVasilev,SeniorExpert,EPPAMr. Ventzislav Vasilev presented the study on green infrastructure being developed by EPPA. Heprovided a context of where the study stands in terms of the project work plan and in terms ofconceptualframework.Healsoprovidedareferenceintermsofthecurrentsituationofnaturalareasinthe Western Balkans. The region needs to move from smaller isolated PAs with strict protectiontowardsabroadernetworkofstructurallyandfunctionallyconnectedgreenareas,whichsupportthebiodiversity but also broader set of ecosystem services. This follows the new nature conservationconceptsglobally,andparticularly theEUpolicies (asapartof theEUaccessionprocess).The regionshouldensure the connectivitybetween thePAsand thegreenareasof variousprotection statusbyidentifying and protecting the main existing natural green corridors and steppingstones (rivers,mountainchains,etc.),protectingandimprovingtheconnectingelementsofthelandscapeinhuman-affected landscapes (e.g. green strips along roads, greenbridgesetc.), and restoringand successfullymanagingecosystems,particularlythoseoftransboundaryimportance.Regardingthestudyitismethodologicallybasedonrecentstudiesandprojectswithsimilarobjectivesand comparable geographical scope (i.e. BioREGIO Carpathians focused on umbrella species andECONNECT project in the Alps, further developed by ALPBIONET2030, landscape oriented). AfterconsultationswithECandinternaldiscussion,theteamofEPPAmadethedecisiontofocustheanalysisontheconnectivityoflargecarnivoresasumbrellaspecies.



Currently, the work is progressing through data collection from international and national sources,identifying andprioritizing the core conservationareas, taking stockof relevantprojects / initiatives,analysingtheecologicalconnectivity(spatialanalysis).Thestudyoutcomeswillbe1)astudyreportincludingecologicalconnectivitystatus,coreconservationareas,main green corridors and important ecosystem fragmentation issues, identification of priorityareaswhereecosystemrestorationandgreeninfrastructuredeploymentareneeded,GISandmaps;2)recommendations:technical,policyandlegislation,socio-economicandcommunication,andanalysisoffunding sources; and 3) a regional workshop presenting the results of the study and discussion onconcreteproposedmeasures/projectstoensurefollow-upactionsatcountrylevelandtransboundarylevel.TheCarpathianConventionexample,Ms.SonjaGebert,UNEnvironment,ViennaInternationalCenter–UNEPMs.SonjaGebertpresented thegeographic featuresof theCarpathians. It is targest, second-longest,most twisted and fragmented mountain range in Europe. It provides essential ecosystem goods tocommunitiesinsevencountries(CzechRepublic,Hungary,Poland,Romania,Serbia,Slovakia,Ukraine).Over 50% of the territory are natural and semi-natural forests and it is the habitat for the largestEuropeanpopulationsof brownbears,wolves, chamois, and lynxes. Carpathians are anecoregionofGlobalimportance.Theyarecalledthe“KingdomoftheCarnivores”.The Convention is a framework convention for cooperation and multi-sectoral policy coordination,adoptedon22ndMay2003itenteredinforceon4thJanuary2006.ItisnowratifiedbyallthesevenCarpathiancountries.The Convention has regular COPs and a standing Implementation Committee that is supported bymultipleworkinggroups(biodiversity,climatechange,forestry,etc.).TheConventionhasanumberofProtocolsonspecificareas:

• ProtocolonConservationandSustainableUseofBiologicalandLandscapeDiversityinplace• ProtocolonSustainableTourisminplace• ProtocolonSustainableForestManagementinplace• ProtocolonSustainableTransportinplace• ProtocolonSustainableAgricultureandRuralDevelopmentinplace• ProtocolonCulturalHeritageandTraditionalKnowledgeinprogress

IntermsofBiodiversity,theProtocolonConservationandSustainableUseofBiologicalandLandscapeDiversitywasadoptedin2008andarespectivestrategicactionplansince2011.The Convention has contributed to several Interreg projects for green corridors, protected areasmanagementandlinkagesoftransportinfrastructurewiththegreencorridors.Anotherprojectfundedby theEUdevelopedagreencorridorbetween theAlpine regionand theCarpathian regionsecuringmigrationandgeneticalexchangeamongwildlife.TheconventionisseekingtoimplementanddevelopanInternationalActionPlanfortheConservationand SustainableManagement of the Carpathian Populations of Large Carnivores. The objectives areharmonizingthemonitoringoflargecarnivoresintheCarpathians,preventingfragmentationofhabitat,identifying key ecological corridors, and development and implementation of ecological network forlargecarnivores,capacitybuilding,education,andawarenessraising.IntermsofforestrytheConventionhasaninventoryofvirginforestsinprogress.TheConventionisalsodevelopingastrategyforsustainableagricultureandruraldevelopment.SomeoftheobjectiveswillbetocreateadatabaseonagricultureintheCarpathians(structureoflanduse),listthebiggestproblemsin the fieldofagricultureandruraldevelopment in theCarpathianarea,promoteorganicproductionandstrengthendevelopmentoflocalproducts,anddevelopacommonapproachonagrobiodiversity.The Convention is seeking the EU to accession to the convention while it aims to be the reginalmechanismforimplementationofthePost-2020GlobalBiodiversityFramework.Adapting European Forests and biodiversity to climate change: Opportunities and challenges, Mr.DebojyotiChakraborty,AustrianResearchCentreforForests



Mr.DebojyotiChakrabortyfocusedhisopeningmessageontheinterlinkagesbetweennaturesectors.Ecosystemsarenot isolated and they require interdisciplinary thinking.One can’t have food securitywithoutecosystemservicestosustainagriculture,andonecan’tconserveforestsandotherecosystemswithoutthinkingabouthowtofeedapopulation,andonecan’tgrowfoodwithoutenoughwater.Nevertheless,forestsareanimportantcomponentofbiodiversity.Forestsareoneofthelargestpoolsofterrestrialbiodiversity,theyhelpstabilizetheclimate,regulateecosystems,andplayanintegralpartto drive sustainable growth. Therefore, adapting forests to climate change has immense policyrelevanceforbiodiversityconservation.Europe should aim at having adaptive forest management, which will preserve and develop thefunctionalityofforestsasaprerequisiteforfulfillingthefutureneedforforestecosystemservices.Partof the adaptivemanagement is to reforest relying on genetic diversity,where seedingmaterials arechosenbaseontheircompatibilitytoprevailingandexpectedconditionsunderclimatechange,evenifitmeansplantingtreestraditionallynotfoundincertainareas.Mr.DebojyotiChakrabortydemonstrated,basedonastudybytheAustrianResearchCentreforForests(SUSTREE Project), that reforestation, or forest conversion in Europe, should be done in differentparametersthansofarallowed.Countriesestablishandlegislateonallowablespeciesandseedsourcesbased on the existing stock. However, climate change will require that species be diversified andplantedoutsideitsoriginareasinordertoincreaseforestsresilienceundershiftingclimaticconditions.Future systems should go beyond national borders and should allow to include climate change. Theproductivity and vitality of many tree populations will decrease and vulnerability will increase withclimate change if local provenances are being used. Assisted seed transferwill help to stabilize andimprove forest productivity and decrease vulnerability. Broader information on provenance use isneeded for forest and nursery managers. Seed management needs to be strongly harmonized ontransnationallevel.The SUSTREE Project established a transnationalmodel for seed transfer through transnational seedzones,maps of species vulnerabilities, etc. It also enabled access to national forest genetic resourceinformationbyprovidingaharmonisedaccesstonationalresistersconnectedtothetransnationalseedzones, etc. Finally, the project promoted climate change adaptation for forest ecosystems byimplementing new seed transfer models within forest companies as pilot applications and raisingawarenesstostakeholdersandpolicymakers.Theproject isalsopreparingamobileapp“Sus-SELECTDecisionsupporttool”toallowdecisionmakerstochoosethemostappropriateseeds,aswellaslistingpossiblesourcingoptions,takingintoaccountvulnerabilitytoclimatechangeoftheintendedseedsandareasofplantation.3.5 Session 5: Discussion based on previous sessions and ideas paper of options for

enhancedaction(ModeratedbyMr.NicholasHanley)Theassembledparticipantstookstockoftheideasputforwardduringtheprevioussessionsandvoicedtheir comments. The discussion sought to harmonize views on transboundary cooperation, includingsuccessstories,andtoidentifyconcreteprioritiesthatcanserveasbasisforalignedpositionstowardsBCD-COP 15, aswell as transboundary cooperation. The conclusions of the discussion are presentedbelow.4 ConclusionsTheworkshopwaswell attended by representatives from all the beneficiaries of EPPA, EUmemberstates, Commission officials and representatives from a range of international organisations andenvironmentalNGO’sactiveintheregion.IntheopeningsessionHumbertoDelgadoRosa,DirectorofNatureandBiodiversityfromDGENVintheCommission, outlined the key elements of the priority being given to biodiversity by the newCommissionwhichwillbeshortlycommencingitstermofoffice.CentraltothisistheestablishmentofanewEuropeanGreenDealtobefinalisedinthefirst100daysofthenewCommission.BiodiversityistobeacentralelementofthisdealraisingthelevelofambitionforEUpolicybothdomesticallybutalso



insettingouta leadership internationallywithaviewto theestablishmentofglobalobjectives tobeagreedintheupcomingconferenceofthepartiesoftheCBDplannedforOctober2020.The representative of DG NEAR, Guillemette Vachey, explained how this Green Deal would betranslatedintoaGreenAgendafortheaccessionprocess.BothCommissionrepresentativesexpressedthe interest inseeingtheaccessioncountriesrespondingpositivelytotheGreenDealandaligningtheirpositionstothatoftheEUinsupportofanambitiousandpositiveoutcometotheCBDCOP15.Theworkshophada fullagendaofdiscussionof thebiodiversity importanceandchallenges facedbythebeneficiariesaswellasthesuccessbeingachievedbyanumberofprojectsandprogammes.Presentationsweremadebymostoftheaccessioncountriesoutliningtheprogresstheyweremakingin the implementationof theirnationalbiodiversity strategies, related toboth their commitments totheCBDand in implementing EUbiodiversity policy and legislation.While thiswaspositive they stillhavesignificantfurtherprogresstoachievetorespecttheengagementsmade.Thepresentationsby international organisations andNGO’soutlined the significanceof theWesternBalkansandTurkeyasbeingbiodiversityhotspotsand,regretfully,thecontinuingtrendsofdeclineandthreats to the biodiversity of the region. The pressures of development, particularly of hydropower,urbandevelopmentandtourism,wereidentifiedasbeingofparticularconcern.Thediscussionofanumberofprojectsandprocesses in the regionprovided interestingexamplesofapproachesthatcouldbeusefullyreplicatedtoaddressthechallengesidentified.AGIZprojecthas inparticularpromotedcrossbordercooperationinthemanagementofthelakesandriversintheregionandtheintegrationofbiodiversityintootherpolicyareas.ThepresentationsontheBalkansgreenbeltand the experience of the Carpathian convention emphasised the importance of extending theseapproacheswithrespecttootherbiodiversityresourcesintheregion.Theongoingworkof theBiodiversity Task Forceof theRegionalCooperationCouncilwas seenasofvalueinpromotingcooperationbetweenthecountriesoftheregion.ResultsTheparticipants recognised the importanceof biodiversity in the region and the challenges they arefacingbothintheirowncountriesandintheregioninensuringtheprotectionandmanagementthatisnecessarytosafeguardthisvitalresource.The debate that this conference has launched is welcomed and the participants agreed to form acontact group to develop proposals for consideration and approval at aministerialmeeting in early2020forsubmissiontotheprojectedSummitmeetingforthewesternBalkansplannedfor21-22April2020.Potentialelementsforsuchproposalmayinclude:

1. A response from enlargement countries to the European Green Deal and prospectiveenlargement Green Agenda. This could set out some form of engagement by the countriesindividuallyorcollectivelytomatchtheambitionoftheEU.

2. Engagement of the enlargement countries to align their positions for the CBD COP 15 withthose of the EU and support ambitious targets for the post 2020 objectives to be agreed inOctober2020.Furthermore,andconsistentwiththis,theidentificationofprocessestoreviewtheirnationalbiodiversitystrategiesandprogrammestoimplementsuchengagements.

3. Recognising that thebiodiversityof the region is characterisedbymany species andhabitatsthat span over areas which cross over national boundaries, consideration of potentialmechanisms and commitments to reinforcement cross border cooperation in the protectionandmanagementoftheseresources.

ContactgroupEnlargementcountriesrepresentativeswereaskedtosignaltotheEPPAsecretariattheirnomineesforthisgroupwithalltheircontactdetails.



Inaddition,allparticipantsof theworkshopare invited tosubmit their ideasandsuggestions for theproposalstobesubmittedbythecontactgroup.Theproposalswillhoweverbetheresponsibilityofthegroup,supportedbythesecretariatoftheEPPA.TheCommissionservicesareaskedtokeepthegroupregularlyinformedofthedevelopmentoftextfortheGreenDeal,enlargementgreenagendaandEUsubmissionsforCOP15(someofthesearealreadyavailableontheCBDwebsite).TheEPPAsecretariatwilldraftpotentialtextforconsiderationofthegroupwhichwillmainlyoperateby email exchanges but the option of a meeting to finalise proposals will be considered subject tofundingpossibilities.TheobjectiveistofinaliseproposalsbyearlyApril.WorkshopoutputsTheworkshop’smainoutputswere:

1. EPPAbeneficiariesinvolvedinanewpolicydialoguestructuredaroundtheEUNewGreenDeal.EPPAintegratedintothebiggerpictureoftheEnlargementGreenAgenda.

2. BettermutualunderstandinginWesternBalkansandTurkey,intherun-uptotheCBD-COP15,regardingprioritiesforcommitmentscoveringnationalandtransboundaryaction.

3. Identified best practices and future options of transboundary cooperation in the biodiversitysectorwithintheregionandbeyond.

4. Betterunderstandingoftheneedforbiodiversitypolicytobesupportedbytheintegrationofactionsacrosswiderpolicyareas,e.g.,land-usechange,pollution,climatechange,forestryandfisheries

5. Establishedcontactgrouptosupportpreparationsandtodraftfinalproposals/positionsfortheministerialconference

5 EvaluationTheparticipantswereaskedtoevaluatetheworkshop,post-factum,byTAIEX.ThisreportwillpresenttheresultsonceTAIEXevaluationdataismadeavailable.



6 Annexes6.1 Annex4:JointStatementJOINTSTATEMENTONSTRENGTHENINGCOLLABORATIONONBIODIVERSITY19November2019OntheoccasionoftheRegionalWorkshopon“BiodiversityinWesternBalkansandTurkey”,organizedby TAIEX in cooperation with EU Environment Partnership Programme for Accession (EPPA) on 19November 2019, in Brussels, the participants from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*,Montenegro,NorthMacedonia,SerbiaandTurkey,inadditiontotherepresentativesoftheEuropeanCommission (DG ENV and DG NEAR), IUCN ECARO, Euronatur, GiZ, RCC, BirdLife Europe, and theAustrianResearchCentre for Forests acknowledged the importanceof biodiversity in the region andthe challenges faced nationally and regionally in ensuring the protection and management that isnecessarytosafeguardthisvitalresource.Taking intoconsiderationtheBiodiversityelementsof the forthcomingEuropeanGreenDealandthecorresponding enlargement green agenda and the post 2020 Biodiversity objectives expected to beendorsed by COP 15 of the Biodiversity Convention in October 2020, the participants welcome thedebatelaunchedandagreetoformacontactgroup.The contact groupwill develop proposals for consideration and approval at aministerialmeeting inearly2020,theoutcomesofwhichwillbesubmittedtotheprojectedSummitmeetingforthewesternBalkansplannedfor21-22April2020.Thoseproposalsmayinclude:

1. A response from enlargement countries to the European Green Deal and prospectiveenlargement Green Agenda. This could set out some form of engagement by the countriesindividuallyorcollectivelytomatchtheambitionoftheEU.

2. Engagement of the enlargement countries to align their positions for the CBD COP 15 withthose of the EU and support ambitious targets for the post 2020 objectives to be agreed inOctober2020.Furthermore,andconsistentwiththis,theidentificationofprocessestoreviewtheirnationalbiodiversitystrategiesandprogrammestoimplementsuchengagements.

3. Recognising that thebiodiversityof the region is characterisedbymany species andhabitatsthat span over areas which cross over national boundaries, consideration of potentialmechanisms and commitments to reinforcement cross border cooperation in the protectionandmanagementoftheseresources.

TheEPPAbeneficiarieshaveagreedtoconcludethis jointstatementforfurtherconsiderationintheircooperationininternationalfora,andinsectoralinitiativesandprojectstoaddressbiodiversitytargets.TheparticipantsconveyedgratitudetotheEuropeanCommissionforthesupportofferedthroughtheEPPAprojectandTAIEX.*This designation is without prejudice to position on status, and is in line with the UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovodeclarationofindependence



This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of the Niras IC Sp. z o.o.

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Workshop on Biodiversity in Western Balkans and …...Work is in progress to develop a strategic document and declaration to be adopted in the Zagreb summit. Western Balkans challenges