OO. 7.7 Make best use of Belgian expertise to support implementation of the Convention in developing countries

Belgium should make full use of its scientific expertise, in universities, institutes and NGOs, to assist developing countries, which are often rich in biodiversity but poor in resources, to make further progress in their implementation of the objectives of the Convention. Enhancing and streamlining capacity-building for biodiversity management is a prerequisite for these countries to improve their scientific knowledge and expertise in key areas of the Convention, and thus to achieve a better implementation of the obligations imposed by the Convention.

A stronger commitment of developing countries to the Convention will not only contribute to a more successful sustainable development at the global level, but will also allow them to meet the ultimate challenge posed by the 2010 target.

These goals can be realised by: (i) supporting capacity-building for identification and monitoring of biodiversity, (ii) facilitating access to biodiversity data stored in Belgian collections, archives and databases, (iii) promoting scientific and technical cooperation, (iv) transferring relevant technologies to address biodiversity matters, and (v) developing educational and public awareness programmes.