Participants of the workshop (Tuesday September 17, 2024)
By Yannik Friedli, UNEP DaRT team
I. Objectives of the DaRT Regional Workshop
The regional DaRT workshop, held from 17 to 19 September 2024 in Kathmandu, Nepal, aimed to operationalize the Data Reporting Tool for MEAs (DaRT) in selected South Asian countries. Organized by UNEP in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP) and financially supported by the GEF-7 GBF Early Action Support Programme, the Government of Switzerland, and the European Union, the workshop focused on several key objectives. Participants were trained to use DaRT as a tool to bridge biodiversity data gaps, foster knowledge management, and improve coordination among MEA focal points. The tool was presented as a means of reducing the reporting burden, standardizing data collection, and improving the quality of national reports.
Another focus of the workshop was to support countries in revising their old National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and to align their new submissions, where available, with the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), other biodiversity-related conventions, and the SDGs. Complementary tools to DaRT, such as UNDP’s NBSAP Target Similarity Assessment and a gender index methodology developed by Women4Biodiversity and UNEP-WCMC, were introduced as well. The workshop also included discussions on how to achieve synergies in the implementation of the KMGBF and related MEA objectives at regional and global levels.
The workshop was attended by 21 national experts, including CBD focal points and reporting experts from Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Additional participants included representatives from ICIMOD, SACEP, UNDP, and Women4Biodiversity. ICIMOD played a significant role, by generously providing the venue, catering services, and hosting a social event. Representatives from both ICIMOD and SACEP actively participated in the workshop and delivered key presentations on regional biodiversity actions, the GBF, and fostering synergies, drawing on their experiences in knowledge management and regional cooperation.
II. Key Observations
Participants were introduced to DaRT’s functionalities through hands-on sessions led by Yannik Friedli, Associate Programme Management Officer at UNEP, and Eric Wiedmer, UNEP Consultant. These sessions enabled participants to independently use DaRT for various tasks, including adding and tagging data, sharing information with colleagues for reporting, and mapping NBSAP targets to the SDGs and the strategic goals of other MEAs, such as the Ramsar Convention, CITES, CMS, and ITPGRFA. For countries with draft NBSAPs, the exercises provided an opportunity to validate their alignment with the GBF and adjust targets where necessary.
In addition to training on DaRT, participants benefited from sessions on regional synergies and complementary tools. UNEP’s Makiko Yashiro and Diane Klaimi highlighted the importance of aligning NBSAPs with regional and global strategies as well as UNEP’s contribution in supporting this, while presentations from ICIMOD and SACEP highlighted ongoing regional efforts to foster cooperation. UNDP’s Lea Phillips presented the NBSAP Target Similarity Assessment tool, which helps to identify gaps in the old NBSAPs and align targets towards a comprehensive updated NBSAP, and Mrinalini Rai from Women4Biodiversity introduced a gender index methodology to support the implementation of the GBF’s Gender Plan of Action.
The workshop generated significant interest among participants, who appreciated DaRT as a practical tool for streamlining reporting, improving data consistency, and enhancing inter-agencies coordination. The inclusion of complementary tools was particularly well received, demonstrating the value of integrating additional resources to support biodiversity planning and reporting.
III. Conclusions and Way Forward
Participants widely recognized DaRT as a valuable tool for improving national biodiversity reporting and alignment with MEA and SDG targets. They emphasized its role in providing quick access to standardized data, reducing inconsistencies, and fostering coordination among MEA focal points. To enhance its usability, participants highlighted the importance of engaging a wider range of national stakeholders, including IT staff, and expanding capacity-building efforts through video tutorials and similar resources. The potential for automating DaRT’s functionalities to streamline the user experience was also noted.
Complementary tools, such as the UNDP’s Target Similarity Assessment, were recognized as valuable counterparts to the DaRT, potentially also offering an efficient way to conduct an initial alignment of NBSAPs with other MEA targets to integrate in the DaRT and to identify possible gaps in national strategies. Participants also expressed interest in further exploring the methodology introduced by Mrinalini Raj for measuring progress toward GBF Target 23.
During the workshop, the Sri Lankan delegation requested UNEP to present DaRT at an upcoming national on indicator development workshop. This request reflects their interest in the tool's potential to support national reporting and highlights the need to raise awareness among a broader range of national experts than those who participated in the regional workshop. UNEP and its partners will continue to refine DaRT, integrate user feedback, and explore opportunities for further engagement to support biodiversity reporting and regional cooperation in South Asia.