Research on the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity among the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation countries

doi:10.1016/j.regsus.2023.08.005

Abstract

Abstract:

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is the most extensive and populous comprehensive regional cooperation organization in the world, covering about half of the world's population, with not only a huge consumer market, but also rich natural resources and strong productivity. As one of the important platforms for the implementation of the Green Belt and Road Initiative, it is an important opportunity for the SCO to actively participate in global governance and contribute to building a community of global life. To investigate the status of biodiversity conservation in the SCO countries, we used literature analysis approach. We surveyed the performance and international cooperation status of the SCO countries in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), listed facing problems and threats to biodiversity conservation, including not optimistic biodiversity conservation project implementation status, contradiction between ecological protection and economic development, impacts of human activities, lack of funds and talents, etc., and analyzed the biodiversity protection needs of the SCO countries from the perspectives of project and policy implementation status and international cooperation. According to the cooperation between China and the other SCO countries on biodiversity conservation and the post-2020 global biodiversity framework goals, we gave some recommendations: (1) promoting access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing; (2) integrating multiple funds and innovating the implementation of funding mechanism; (3) developing talent training and exchange programs and deepening multilateral cooperation; (4) strengthening cross-border cooperation and improving cooperation network; and (5) establishing a coordination mechanism for biodiversity conservation within the framework of the SCO.

Key words: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), Biodiversity conservation Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), International cooperation, Cross-border cooperation, Multilateral cooperation

HAO Yun, WU Miao, ZHANG Xiaoyun, WANG Lixian, HE Jingjing. Research on the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity among the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation countries[J]. Regional Sustainability, 2023, 4(3): 322-331.

Figures/Tables 3

Table 1

Table 2

Summary of biodiversity conservation actions implemented by the SCO countries."

Action	Description	Country or organization	Implementation measures
Strengthen management mechanism	Establish a national level agency specifically responsible for biodiversity conservation to improve management effectiveness.	China	Set up the National Committee for Biodiversity Conservation in 2011 and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment in 2018.
		Kazakhstan	Established the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources in 2023.
		India	Organized the National Biodiversity Authority in 2003.
		Uzbekistan	Built up the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change in 2023.
		Russia	Established the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in 2008.
		Pakistan	Set up the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination in 2012.
Improve legal basis	Formulate laws related to biodiversity conservation and improve the legal basis in accordance with the principles of CBD.	Russia	Promulgated the Federal Law on Environmental Protection in 2002.
		China	Amended the Environmental Protection Law, the Wildlife Protection Law, and other relevant laws repeatedly.
		Kazakhstan	Adopted the Environmental Code from 2007, which regulates activities of individuals and legal entities that have or may have a negative impact on the environment.
		India	Enacted the Biological Diversity Act in 2002, which is a landmark law, focusing on the conservation of biological diversity and ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits that arise from the utilization of biological resources and associated knowledge.
Issue action measure	Lay down strategic guidelines and action plans for biodiversity conservation based on the requirements of CBD and the actual situation of each SCO country.	Russia	Enacted the Strategy and Executive Plan for the Conservation of Biodiversity in 2014.
		China	Enacted the National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2011-2030) in 2010.
		Pakistan	Implemented the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2017-2030).
		India	Implemented the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan from 2003.
Strengthen international cooperation	Carry out international and regional cooperation to improve the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation.	India	India signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Wildlife Conservation and Sustainable Biodiversity with Namibia.
		China and Russia	Established cross-border nature reserves and ecological corridors.
		World Wildlife Fund and Engro Foundation (Pakistan)	Protect the endangered Indus River dolphin together.

Table 2

Table 3

Overview of regional cooperation in the field of biodiversity conservation in the SCO countries."

SCO country	Cooperation country	Field of cooperation	Reference
China	Russia, Singapore, Czech Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Norway, Tajikistan, India, Pakistan, etc.	Development of traditional medicine and ethnobotany; utilization of biological resources, transboundary water management, forestry, animal, and plant protection training; response to climate change, etc.	Ministry of Ecology and Environment the People's Republic of China (2018)
Russia	China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, the United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Finland, Norway, etc.	Management of transboundary reserves; protection of rare and endangered animal and plant species, white bears and other mammals, migratory birds, etc.	Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation (2014)
Kazakhstan	Russia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, the USA, Israel, Turkey, etc.	Management of water resources of cross-border rivers; protection of forests in border areas and Caspian Sea; and ecological monitoring.	GEF et al. (2018)
Uzbekistan	Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, etc.	Protection of West Tianshan Mountains; development of genetic resources and biotechnology; and protection of saiga antelope.	UNDP in Uzbekistan et al. (2018)
Kyrgyzstan	Tajikistan, Japan, Germany, Turkey, South Korea, Finland, etc.	Biodiversity protection of fruit forests such as West Tianshan Mountains, walnut forest, Issyk-Kul Lake, and Son-Kul Lake; poverty reduction; and capacity building.	CBD et al. (2019)
Tajikistan	Russia, Turkey, India, China, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Iran, etc.	Management of cross-border water resources; protection of Aral Sea, forests, cross-border biodiversity, agricultural biodiversity; environmental monitoring; and plant resource status assessment.	National Biodiversity and Biosafety Center, the Republic of Tajikistan (2019)
India	Austria, China, Germany, Iran, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the USA, Vietnam, Iceland, Brazil, Canada, Nepal, etc.	Tiger conservation; cross-border cooperation; cooperation on cross-border protected areas, biodiversity, utilization of renewable energy, and response to climate change; and trade cooperation and environmental protection.	Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India (2014, 2018)
Pakistan	China, Britain, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka, etc.	Utilization of forest resources, biodiversity protection, and management capacity building.	Government of Pakistan (2017)

Table 3

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Item	Option
Keywords	“Convention on Biological Diversity” and “Shanghai Cooperation Organisation” or “Central Asia” or “China” or “Russia” or “Russian Federation” or “Kazakhstan” or “Republic of Kazakhstan” or “Uzbekistan” or “Republic of Uzbekistan” or “Kyrgyz Republic” or “Kyrgyzstan” or “Tajikistan” or “Republic of Tajikistan” or “Pakistan” or “India”
Publication year	From 1 January 1990 to 12 January 2023
Document type	Research article, proceeding paper, and review
Database	Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), Social Science Citation Index (SSCI), China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI), and eLibrary
Language	Chinese, English, and Russian