Organized in the framework of the regional initiative " Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Why these are Important for Sustained Growth and Equity in Latin America and the Caribbean".
During the first meeting of the UNDP Commission for Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Finance and Development, UNCTAD made the presentation ""BioTrade: Making trade work for biodiversity"" under the session on Strategic Areas for Further Research.
Through this presentation, UNCTAD was able to demonstrate the uniqueness of BioTrade as a policy tool to foster sustainable use of biodiversity in Latin American and the Caribbean. An overview of BioTrade and the its value chain methodology was presented, as well as case studies including the experience of the Colombian BioTrade Fund (Fondo Biocomercio Colombia), Community-based SME "Jambi Kiwa" and the work with Caiman yacare in Bolivia.
The regional initiative "Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Why these are Important for Sustained Growth and Equity in Latin America and the Caribbean" aims to generate a dialogue among prominent political leaders, representatives of the private sector and of civil society, and members of the academic community regarding the need for and advantages of incorporating conservation and sustainable ecosystem management into development plans, emphasising the role that they play in economic development and equity in the region. It is an initiative of UNDP, UNEP, ECLAC, CBD, and UNCTAD/BioTrade Initiative.
The document on BioTrade Potential for Growth and Sustainability and the UNDP/UNCTAD roundtable on "BioTrade Potential for Growth and Sustainability" were developed in the framework of the regional initiative.
