A "GPI Side Event" at the 6th Conference of the Parties of the CBD

Grant Agreement nr. WGP1 35 GPI 21

Agreement holder: IUCN-Netherlands Committee

Country/region: Global

Activity period: 01/02/2002 – 30/06/2002

Objectives and results:

General Objective: Promoting the Global Peatland Initiative (GPI) as a clearinghouse for conservation and wise use of peatlands worldwide to involve donors and interested people (GOs and NGOs) of the CoP.

Specific goal: The event should be used to lobby for other donors as GPI being a unique business-civil society network for conservation and wise use of global peatlands which delivers all kind of ecological services. In order to get support for the GPI objectives, and attract possible donors for the GPI second phase.

Achieved:

The GPI side event was held with good speakers from the Ramsar bureau, IMCG, IPS, Wetlands International, Grupo Paramo and NCIUCN. A GPI leaflet and flyers of IMPESA (GPI project in southern Africa) were produced and distributed at the COP (as well as later on at other events). The GPI was provided special attention in the booklet “The Convention on Biological Diversity 2002”.

• The GPI was presented as a coherent new initiative to a varied international forum (including donors)
• The side event and promotion brought more understanding for the GPI objectives
• The public attending the side event became more aware of the GPI objectives and projects
• Indirect also NGOs working in peat issues where promoted
• The partners in the GPI and steering committee benefited
• The event was beneficial for the relationship between Ramsar and peatlands
• The side event was an ideal place to lobby for a 2^nd GPI phase
• The experiences of the GPI side event was an excellent preparation for the GPI side event at CoP8 of the Ramsar Convention in Valencia (November 2002)

Although the side event was well organised and achieved all its objectives to some degree, it was disappointing that it drew only few participants (about 60 people), due to many other side events happening concurrently at the CoP6. Still, it provided valuable lessons, and resulted in some very useful contacts, including with donors interested in supporting or co-financing specific GPI projects. It also contributed to enhanced coherence amongst the GPI partners in terms of expectations of the GPI and promotion needs. It strengthened confidence in the initiative amongst the private sector. The project used only about two-thirds of the amount granted. The remainder was reimbursed to WI.