Durban Accord identifies key targets to protect environment

A concrete product of the recently concluded fifth World Parks Congress held in South Africa is what is called the Durban Accord, a non-legally binding document which delineated a new paradigm for protected areas around the world. It accentuates the role of the participants in achieving conservation goals and enjoining local communities to do their share in protecting these areas.

Part of the Durban Accord is an action plan which identifies seven key targets that are envisioned to be achieved in the next decade.

While it lists down a variety of suggested actions to be done by inter-governmental organizations, protected areas’ authorities and national governments, the action plan also took note of what had been accomplished thus far in the global effort to protect the environment.

These are:

• Protected areas’ critical role in global biodiversity conservation fulfilled;

• Protected areas’ fundamental role in sustainable development implemented;

• A global system of protected areas linked to the surrounding landscapes and seascapes achieved;

• Improved quality, effectiveness and reporting of protected areas management in place;

• The rights of indigenous people, mobile people and local communities recognized and gua-ranteed in relation to natural resources and biodiversity conservation;

• Empowerment of younger generation achieved;

• Significantly greater support for protected areas from other constituencies achieved;

• Improved forms of governance, recognizing both traditional forms and innovative approaches of great potential value for conservation, implemented;

• Greatly increased resources for protected areas, commensurate with their values and needs, secured; and

•Improved communication and education on the role and benefits of protected areas.

While the congress itself does not have a formal mandate to require or demand action, it can influence, provide advice and call for action among participating countries and organizations.