Darwin Initiative: 5th Report
Ministerial Foreword
By the Rt Hon Michael Meacher MP, Minister for the Environment
I am pleased to welcome the fifth Darwin annual report. It shows that the Darwin Initiative continues its valuable work to protect and enhance the world's biodiversity.
The year 2002 is particularly significant to the Darwin Initiative, as it marks the 10th anniversary of the Initiative as well as the Convention on Biological Diversity. We are looking forward to launching a new phase of the Initiative, which will build on its successes. This year will also see the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, to mark the 10th anniversary of the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The World Summit will be an important landmark which will allow us both to take stock of the state of the global environment, and to plan for the future. As part of the UK's contribution to this process, we intend to showcase some of the successful experience with the Darwin Initiative, as one means among many in which the ambitious goals of the Biodiversity Convention can be fulfilled around the world.
The results of the monitoring and evaluation of Darwin projects for 2001 confirm the positive impacts of the Initiative on biodiversity. Our independent review shows that projects are making a significant contribution in assisting host countries to meet their obligations under the Biodiversity Convention, whilst being good value for money. Projects were commended for the high quality of their scientific and technical content, and the quality and commitment of the UK staff.
I would like to thank the Darwin Advisory Committee members for their ongoing commitment to the Initiative, not least their valuable role in ensuring that Darwin projects continue to contribute real and direct benefits to the world's biodiversity. I am delighted to announce that the Chair of the Advisory Committee, Professor David Ingram, has accepted his reappointment as Chair for a further three year term. His strong and able commitment to the Darwin Initiative has been reflected in the continuing high quality and consistent impact of almost all projects.
Finally, I very much enjoyed Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher's thought-provoking lecture on "The Individual and the Community in the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity", at the annual Darwin Initiative Lecture. The text of his talk is included in this report.
Michael Meacher MP, Minister for the Environment
Page last modified 22 August, 2002