WORLD PARKS CONGRESS 2003
Durban Accord for world's parks
Dirk Nel
17 September 2003
The World Parks Congress has released a far-reaching statement, known as the Durban Accord, at the close of 10 days of intensive discussion and debate to map the way forward for the conservation of the world's protected areas.
In addition, an Action Plan as well as a message to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are to be issued on the final day of the event, which involved about 2 500 delegates from 154 countries.
"None of these congress outputs are legally binding on governments, private sector organisations or the International Conservation Union (ICUN) and its members, but given the calibre of the participants and the process used, they remain powerful tools to promote,
guide, and influence positive action for protected areas around the globe", said congress secretary-general David Sheppard.
The Durban Accord acknowledges the rapid climatic, population and political changes in the world, losses of biological and cultural diversity, and falling ecosystems, while also registering its concern about three billion people living in poverty and gripped by daily struggles for survival.
The agreement also celebrates protected areas as "providers of ecosystem goods and services, such as irreplaceable fresh water, fish stocks and flood protection, and as buffers against climate change".
Protected areas are also seen as contributors to poverty alleviation, and as living classrooms and promoters of friendship and peace.
However, the Accord expresses concern about threatened biodiversity, such as the earth's marine resources, which have not yet been adequately protected.
Other concerns include the existence of so-called "paper
parks" (proclaimed protected areas without management), the inaccessibility of funding, the frequent ignoring of protected areas by developers, and the low level of capacity and participation by the younger generation.
In its call for action, the Accord calls on world bodies to recognise the vital role of protected areas, and to ensure that trade agreements do not prevent these areas from achieving their core aims.
The threat posed by mining activities is explicitly dealt with in an appeal to extractive industries to fulfill their responsibilities for the careful stewardship of protected areas.
The involvement of local communities in conservation initiatives is strongly advocated, and support is expressed for community conservation areas, and those striving to reduce poverty.
The Accord goes on to insist on the strengthening of legal and institutional frameworks for protected areas which are "accountable and transparent", while also appealing for the
mobilisation of financial and technical resources to implement environmental protection initiatives.
Source: BuaNews
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