GLISPA First Strategy Meeting

From Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The GLISPA Strategy Meeting took place in Rome, Italy, from 25 to 27 September, 2007. Meeting participants included representatives of the Partnership’s most active government and organization members and/or champions of existing or developing initiatives that are interested in greater involvement with the Partnership. H.E. Seychelles President James A. Michel opened the meeting with a keynote address to the participants. One of the founding fathers of the Global Island Partnership, together with Palau President Remengesau, President Michel chose the GLISPA gathering in Rome to launch his latest initiative, the Sea Level Rise Foundation. For the press release announcing the launch of this initiative, click here.

The Strategy Meeting was co-chaired by Rolph Payet, Special Advisor to the Seychelles President, who delivered a presentation titled Action Strategy for a Global Challenge, and Jo Mulongoy, Principal Officer of the Division of Scientific, Technical and Technological Matters, CBD Secretariat.

For the meeting agenda, click here

Working Groups and Leads

Five working groups were formed. Leaders were appointed, and leads identified.

1. Supporting Successful Commitments – Francois Martel, CI
2. Catalyzing New Commitments – Jason Spensley, WCPA/TNC & Stas Burgiel, GISP/TNC
3. Governance – Gerald Miles, TNC
4. Climate Change/Sea Level Rise Foundation – Rolph Payet, Seychelles
5. Communications – Sian Owen, WWF & Cathryn Treasure, GLISPA

Drafting the GLISPA Strategy

The group agreed a draft GLISPA Strategy would be developed after the meeting according to the following timeline:

• October 2007 – Meeting notes to all participants. Meeting summary to GLISPA contacts
• November 2007 - Draft Strategy to participants with three weeks to review
• January 2008 - Full draft to all GLISPA contacts with three weeks to review
• February 2008 – Revised draft ready for discussion at meetings in Rome.
• May 2008 - Final strategy ready with commitments at COP 9 in Bonn. CBD Secretariat is expecting high level engagement and roll out strategy.

A drafting team was assembled, composed of:

• Dr. Rolph Payet, Seychelles (Chair)
• Gerald Miles, TNC
• Audrey Newman, TNC
• Cathryn Treasure, GLISPA
• Giorgio Grussu, IUCN
• Jason Spensley, WCPA & TNC
• Jean-Philippe Palasi, IUCN
• Oliver Hillel, CBD Secretariat
• Sian Owen, WWF
• Stas Burgiel, GISP & TNC
• Susi Olmsted, GLISPA

Participants agreed to have the Strategy reviewed by:

• Rome Meeting Participants
• Key Contacts: 2-5 people who were NOT at their meeting
• GLISPA e-list
• Key regional and international meetings

Strategy Review Schedule:

• October 2007:
   Meeting Notes to all Participants by Oct 12
   Meeting Summary to GLISPA contacts by Oct 12
• November 2007: Draft Strategy to Participants
   three weeks to review
• December 2007: Side meeting to discuss in Bali
• January 2008: Full Draft to all GLISPA contacts
   three weeks to review
• February 2008: Confirm Strategy at meetings in Rome
• May 2008: Launch Strategy with commitments at CBD COP 9 in Bonn