The Secretariat to the  Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)  has said  it has extended the deadline  of voluntary reports for the in-depth review of implementation of the programme of work on island biological diversity, in order to allow for, and encourage, additional inputs. The deadline is now 30 June 2011.
On 15 February 2011, the secretariat had invited Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to provide information for the in-depth review by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) at its 16th meeting, scheduled for May 2012  (http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2011/ntf-2011-032-island-en.doc).

According to the Secretariat, the review is the best opportunity over the next two years for island Parties and Parties with islands to highlight progress on this topic. As the programme of work reflects the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan, contributors are asked to report using the framework of the 20 indicators of the Aichi Targets (annex to decision X/2). A reporting matrix has been made available - http://www.cbd.int/island/reports.shtml. However, the Secretariat says that reports may be submitted in any format.

Furthermore the Secretariat advises that the priorities noted in paragraph 6 of decision IX/21 should be considered so as to facilitate contributions. These are: the control of invasive alien species, climate-change adaptation and mitigation activities; networks of marine protected areas; capacity-building; access to, and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources; and the CBD framework on poverty eradication and development.

The Secretariat also invites the promotion of green economy principles and synergies between the multilateral environmental agreements. This comes in light of the outcomes of the review of the Mauritius Strategy for the Further Implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States (http://www.sidsnet.org/msi_5)  and the agenda for Rio + 20.

Further information on the in-depth review can be found, as it becomes available, at http://www.cbd.int/island/review.shtml.

Nirmal Shah, Nature Seychelles, April 29th 2011