Bonn/Brisbane, 1 September 2017 – After La Paz, Addis Ababa and Bonn, the fourth and final pre-COP workshop was held in Brisbane, Australia from 28 to 30 August for representatives of CMS Parties in the Oceania region.

Top of the region’s priorities were the marine species proposals, along with other  marine issues, the need to link work done under CMS with other obligations relating to other international fora, such as the UN Oceans Conference, the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and other Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEAs).  Reducing the reporting burdens and simplifying obligations would help facilitate compliance in countries with limited human resources, participants said.

The workshop was made possible thanks to ACPMEA Phase 2, a programme funded by the European Commission to build capacity in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific with regard to implementing MEAs.  Unstinting support was provided from the Australian Government including organizing the logistics and the field trip as well as assisting with the content of the workshop. 

Overall, the pre-COP workshops brought each region together and gave the Secretariat a chance to receive feedback on regional priorities and concerns.  Further regional collaboration can be expected in the run-up to, during and after the COP.