National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan [NBSAP]

Vanuatu's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan Project has it's main office located within the Vanuatu Environment office in Port Vila.
The project objectives are:
1. To support the NBAC to obtain national consensus on the specific mechanisms needed for on-going capacity building to manage the use of biodiversity and ensure it's conservation in accord with the NBSAP.
2. Expand on initial participation in the CHM through establishing an internet site.
3. In accordance with the Decision V/19 of the Secretariat CBD by the deadline May 15, 2001.

Project
The Vanuatu government recognized the importance of conserving its biological resources by signing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992. It ratified the CBD the following year where it fully acceded to it. As a member to the CBD countries it is obliged to prepare a national biodiversity report as well as to develop a National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (NBCSAP).
Global Environment Facility (GEF) through United Nations Environment Programme has provided funding to the Vanuatu Government to develop its NBCSAP. From 1997 to year 2000, the Vanuatu Environment Unit, in close collaboration with relevant government, private and non-government institutions, developed and published its NBCSAP.
The activities involved:
+ Literature review
+ Socio-economic survey with local +ommunities
+ Freshwater and Montane biodiversity rapid assessment survey 15 major islands
+ Breadfruit and Tree Fern harvesting survey on North Ambrym
+ Six Provincial and one national biodiversity consultation workshops
+ Research into blue variant of Rainbow Lorikeet on Epi Island
+ Four stages of the NBCSAP review through provincial reviews, Project advisory committee review, Public review and final project advisory review.
+ Two stages of endorsement: 6 Provincial Government Councilors and finally Council of Ministers.

NBCSAP is published in three languages. It was originally drafted in Bislama (our national language) and was translated into English and French. Click to a brief on NBCSAP.
During the 3 and half years period various published and unpublished documents were produced by the biodiversity project.

For any further information on these documents or to purchase a full copy of the NBCSAP, please click here.
Highlights of this work included:
+ The identification of a new genus of freshwater fish.
+ Significantly expanding the in-country knowledge on Vanuatu's biodiversity.
+ Fostering multi-sectoral involvement in biodiversity conservation.
+ Building the capacity of local staff that are involved or indirectly involved with the project.

NBSAP Additional Funding (Add-on) Project - Phase II of NBSAP
After completion of the NBCSAP the GEF through United Nations Environment Programme, have supported a follow on project to identify capacity building needs within four thematic areas identified in the NBCSAP. This work will span the period from March 2001 to March 2003.

The four main areas are scientific capacity, functional biodiversity management capacity, Indigenous Knowledge and Financial and Institutional capacity.
The project is implementing a participatory process to evaluate capacity building needs for implementation of the NBCSAP in four thematic areas:
+ Scientific capacity: building in country capacity to coordinate and conduct biodiversity research and collate records of research conducted within Vanuatu.
+ Functional biodiversity management capacity: building in-county capacity to manage the use of biodiversity and to manage strategic threats to biodiversity.
+ Indigenous knowledge: building capacity for the recognition and application of traditional biodiversity knowledge and management systems.
+ Capacity for long term in-country biodiversity management: Develop the financial and institutional capacity for long term in-country biodiversity management

Definition of Capacity building:
Capacity is the ways and means needed to do what has to be done efficiently, effectively and sustainably. Capacity is much broader than simply skills, people and plans. It includes commitment, resources and all that is brought to bear on a process to make it successful. Most often, capacity is referred to as including the following components:
+ People who are willing to be involved;
+ Skills, knowledge and abilities;
+ Ability to identify and access opportunities;
+ Motivation and the wherewithal to carry out initiatives;
+ Infrastructure, supportive institutions and physical resources;
+ Leadership and the structures needed for participation;
+ Economic and financial resources; and
+ Enabling policies and systems.

Capacity building refers to processes that enable individuals within their communities to address components of capacity to improve their ability to do what has to be done. Perhaps to become more effective, efficient and sustainable. Capacity building is not something external interests can readily do or deliver. To be effective capacity building must happen as an internalized process within individuals, institutions and communities.

In the context of the Capacity Building Add-on
1. There is a community of people - all those of us who have an interest in Vanuatu's biodiversity. It includes Government Departments, Statutory Bodies, NGOs, and individuals….
2. Together we have capacity to implement the National Biodiversity strategy and Action. This is our baseline.
3. UNEP - have funded us to find out what is needed to improve our capacity to implement the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan…in four key areas.

List of unpublished and published documents/reports by the NBSAP project.

Vanuatu National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy Action Plan
Freshwater Fish and Crustaceans of Vanuatu
Epi Avifaunal Survey
Traditional Environmental Management System of Pentecost Island
Preliminary report on Tree Fern and Breadfruit Trees harvesting on North Ambrym
Freshwater and Montane Biodiversity Rapid Assessment of Aneityum, Tanna, Erromango, Efate, Epi, Malekula, Santo, Pentecost, Ambae, Maewo, Gaua, Mota Lava, Vanua Lava and Torres Islands.
Rapid Assessment Survey of Land Crabs on Erromango, Efate, Maewo, Santo, Malo, Aore and Vanua Lava
Rapid Assessment Survey of Land Crabs on Malekula
Tafea Province Consultation workshop report
Shefa province Consultation workshop report
Malampa Province Consultation workshop report
Penama province Consultation workshop report
Sanma Province Consultation workshop report
Torba province Consultation workshop report
National Biodiversity Consultation workshop with Government Departments
Socio-economic Survey report

A brief of National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (NBCSAP)

The NBSAP project team in consultation with relevant government and non-government organisations, provincial governments, local communities and other interested individuals developed the Vanuatu NBCSAP.
NBCSAP documented different activities that were undertaken in order to capture biodiversity management and conservation issues that are now highlighted in its content. It also highlights briefly the following ecosystem biodiversity:
· Terrestrial
· Freshwater
· Coastal and Marine

It also presented in tables plant and animal species of conservation importance as well as places and habitats of conservation significance.
The mission statement of the strategy is to:
· Manage and safeguard biological resources through government, provinces and local communities so as to maintain fully our natural and cultural heritage for all Ni-Vanuatu.
· Guide government, provinces, local communities and landholders to sustainable management of Vanuatu's natural resources.
· Ensure that all Ni-Vanuatu, including future generations, are able to benefit from biodiversity and enjoy its use.
· Protect the custom, intellectual and legal rights of Ni-Vanuatu as resource custodians and users.

The strategy has six major objectives including:
· Protection and wise use of biodiversity.
· Application of policy, planning and legal mechanisms to enable sustainable management of biodiversity.
· Research, assessment and monitoring of biodiversity.
· Capacity building for environmental management.
· Environmental education, awareness and information sharing.
· Participation of local communities in the management of biodiversity.