Cali, Colombia – On Monday 21 October 2024 the IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence Specialist Group (HWCCSG) presented its current draft indicator framework proposal for measuring progress in managing human-wildlife conflict. The presentation took place at the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16).
In a side event hosted by the Collaborative Partnership for Sustainable Wildlife Management, discussion focused on the development of indicators for Targets 4 and 5 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework which relate to human wildlife-conflict and the sustainable use and trade of wild species. During the session, the IUCN SSC HWCCSG presented the current draft of the human-wildlife component indicator framework, developed over the past ten months through an open Working Group that brought together technical experts and several CBD parties.
Speaking on the event IUCN SSC HWCCSG Chair Dr Alexandra Zimmermann stated, “Human-wildlife conflict is a growing problem and one that is not specific to any one region or species. Global trends such as population growth and climate change mean the importance of managing such conflicts and promoting coexistence will only continue to rise in the coming months and years.”
“We were delighted to be able to present this work at COP16. In order to drive effective and sustainable management of human-wildlife conflict and promote coexistence it is essential that we ensure adequate monitoring is in place. Our framework offers Parties a way to capture a number of aspects of human-wildlife conflict across different national contexts, priorities and needs,” Dr Zimmermann continued.
Following the feedback provided during the session the IUCN SSC HWCCSG will further refine the proposal ahead of finalisation.
Monday’s event follows the publication of the Spanish version of the IUCN SSC Guidelines on Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence earlier this month. Having originally launched in English in 2023, the guidelines are now also available in French, Portuguese and Russian, with German, Arabic and Chinese versions in preparation.
Comments