The purpose of the Bulletin of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy is to circulate information about implementation of the Strategy's various action themes in States, international organisations and non-governmental organisations.

SPECIAL AARHUS

Contents

• Editorial by Mr. Svend Auken - Fourth Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe" - Aarhus (Denmark), 23-25 June 1998
• Extracts from the Aarhus Declaration, concerning biological and landscape diversity
• Resolution on biological and landscape diversity endorsed by the Ministers of Environment
• This issue of the Strategy Bulletin - published in French and English only - also contains a list of organisations and contacts relevant to the implementation of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy.

A Pan-European Strategy for now and for the future

During the 4th Pan-European Conference of Ministers of Environment "An Environment for Europe" held in Aarhus, Denmark, from 23 to 25 June 1998, one particular topic was devoted to the conservation of biological and landscape diversity and to the results of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy. This was endorsed by the 3rd Pan-European Ministerial Conference held in Sofia in 1995. Throughout the Aarhus debates, Ministers stressed the importance that should be given to the concept of "Nature" in environment, at a pan-European level and reaffirmed in their Declaration, adopted at the end of the Conference, the importance of the Pan-European Strategy.

The Ministers approved a Resolution on biological and landscape diversity, where they recognised that this diversity is part of the priceless natural heritage of Europe. They noted that its conservation makes possible a quality of life which meets human aspirations and ensures sustainable social and economic development.

Desiring to bequeath to future generations a diverse and sustainable system which this heritage represents, the Ministers recalled the importance of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy's long-term vision, which is to conserve biological and landscape diversity. They also acknowledged the progress made in establishing the Pan-European Ecological Network, as a means of promoting nature conservation both inside and outside protected areas.

The question of integrating biological and landscape diversity objectives into sectoral policies was discussed extensively. For this purpose, the Ministers undertook to propose appropriate political, legal and other means of integration. They considered that the agricultural sector deserved special attention and should be considered as a priority.

Thus, the Aarhus Pan-European Conference represents an important milestone in the nature conservation process. From now on in the heart of the main preoccupations of the Environment Ministries, the question of biological and landscape diversity is currently becoming an essential and unavoidable question for the other Ministries.

Svend Auken

Minister of Environment and Energy of Denmark

AARHUS DECLARATION - Extract

" ...

Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy

36.We [the Environment Ministers and Heads of delegations from 52 countries in the UN/ECE region and the representative of the European Commission] acknowledge the Progress Report on the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, welcome the links which have been established with the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and acknowledge the work undertaken under the Sofia Initiative led by Slovenia. We endorse the Resolution on Biological and Landscape Diversity (*).

37.We are aware that biological and landscape diversity, particularly in CEE and NIS, represents an important asset for Europe as a whole and express our concern about the increased pressure that risks to further deteriorate the situation. We resolve to strengthen and implement instruments for a better integration of biodiversity and landscape conservation objectives into sectorial policies at national and international levels, inter alia by developing appropriate economic and financial incentives.

38.In particular, we note that land use has a strong impact on biological and landscape diversity and that there are currently wide opportunities for progress as well as potential risks in this area. To take advantage of opportunities and to avoid negative impacts, we will take initiatives to integrate biodiversity considerations into the agricultural sector within the EU enlargement and transition processes.

39.We call on all participating States, international organizations, NGOs and the private sector to increase their support, as appropriate, for the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, inter alia through the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy, by exploring new and innovative financing means.

..."

RESOLUTION ON BIOLOGICAL AND LANDSCAPE DIVERSITY

endorsed by the Ministers of Environment

"Recognising that the biological and landscape diversity of Europe is part of the priceless world-wide natural heritage which human beings have handed down for thousand of years;

Noting that the conservation of this natural and cultural heritage makes possible a quality of life which meets human aspirations and ensures sustainable social and economic development;

Taking into account the conclusions of the report Europe's Environment : The Second Assessment regarding continuous degradation of the European environment, especially with respect to the state of biodiversity;

Considering that Europe's nature and culture are intrinsically linked by the all encompassing landscapes - making the preservation of landscape diversity and quality one of the essential policy goals of the coming decade;

Recognising that numerous species and ecosystems are disappearing or threatened and that this endangers not only the quality of life but also life itself;

Considering that the conservation of biological and landscape diversity constitutes a fundamental human right and duty, as well as an important element for debate in democracy;

Taking into account, and wishing to reinforce initiatives carried out in Europe in the field of conservation of biological and landscape diversity;

Desiring to bequeath to future generations a diverse and sustainable system which this heritage represents;

We,

1.Recall the importance of the Pan-European Biological and Landscape Diversity Strategy's long-term vision, which is to conserve biological and landscape diversity by achieving the following aims: substantially reducing current threats to Europe's biological and landscape diversity; increasing the resilience of Europe's biological and landscape diversity; strengthening the ecological coherence of Europe as a whole; and ensuring full public involvement in the conservation of the various aspects of biological and landscape diversity;

2.Welcome the progress in the implementation of the Pan-European Strategy and take note of the Progress Report presented by the Governing Body set up for its implementation (**);

3.Call on those countries which have not yet done so to draw up national strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation of biological and landscape diversity, and to define and undertake immediate and long-term priority actions, establish support mechanisms, and report progress;

4.Recommend increased participation of governments in the region in implementing the Strategy and urge that ways and means be secured for the continued participation of others (international organisations, financial institutions, scientific institutions and non-governmental organisations); recommend that the Council of Europe and UNEP continue to provide the Secretariat for the Pan-European Strategy;

5.Acknowledge the progress made in establishing the Pan-European Ecological Network, as a means of promoting nature conservation both inside and outside protected areas, and emphasise the role that international conventions and programmes (in particular the Bern Convention's Emerald Network and the Natura 2000 Network of the European Community), and the sharing of national experience play in establishing the network; reaffirm our commitment to establish the Pan-European Ecological Network and take note of the map (**) and the information contained in the report on nature conservation sites designated in application of international instruments at Pan-European level (**) and welcome the progress in the elaboration of the Guidelines for the development of the Pan-European Ecological Network as an appropriate framework for establishing the network;

6.Reaffirm our commitment to integrating biological and landscape diversity objectives into sectoral policies;

For this purpose:

a)undertake to propose at national level - including the regional level - appropriate political, legal and other means of integration through cross-sectoral co-operation i.a. by adopting national or regional action plans or strategies; the agricultural sector deserves special attention since the changes in agricultural policy which are likely to take place in the coming years in Europe identify it as a priority within the integration theme under the Pan-European Strategy;

b)call for stronger co-operation at international level with other Ministerial Conferences and international fora; in this context express our commitment to contribute to the follow-up of the Lisbon Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe, in particular to the joint Work Programme on the Conservation and Enhancement of Biological and Landscape Diversity in Forest Ecosystems;

7.Take note of the progress made to develop, as a source of inspiration for national legislation and practice, the Pan-European Code of Coduct for Coastal Zones and the Model Law on Sustainable Management of Coastal Zones;

8.Conscious of the need for adequate financial, managerial and other resources for the implementation and integration of biological and landscape diversity programmes and interests in other sectoral policies, recommend governments to adjust policies to develop economic and financial incentives to support intersectoral implementation of the conservation of biological and landscape diversity, urge the donor community at bilateral and multilateral level, as well as the private sector, to increase their contribution, and request the Governing body of the Pan-European Strategy to promote the exploration of innovative financing mechanisms for this purpose and invite the Project Preparation Committee (PPC) to promote investment projects on biological and landscape diversity in Central and Eastern Europe, in particular those of inter-sectoral character;

9.Recommend the increase of the conservation and sustainable management of biological diversity components within European Union PHARE Programmes and that the scope of European Union TACIS Eastern European regulation be broadened to take duly into account biological and landscape diversity objectives;

10.Request the governing body of the Pan-European Strategy to monitor the implementation of this Resolution, building where possible on existing monitoring and reporting mechanisms."

The Strategy Bulletin appears every two months at the end of February, April, June, August, October and December. Information for publication in the Bulletin must be submitted by the 15th of the month preceding publication. Information appearing in the Bulletin may be reproduced, but it would be appreciated if the source were indicated.

The opinions expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the Council of Europe's view.

Editor-in-chief : Eladio Fernández Galiano / Editor: Hélène Bouguessa

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