At its eighth meeting, in 2006, the Conference of the Parties emphasized the need for enhanced implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and initiated an in-depth review of progress of implementation, and recommended that regional and sub-regional workshops be convened on national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs), and the mainstreaming of biodiversity into broader national strategies and action plans.

Accordingly, a major effort has been undertaken during the current biennium to review the status of NBSAPs and to strengthen their role in implementing the Convention and in mainstreaming biodiversity. As requested by the Conference of the Parties, the Second Meeting of the Working Group on the Review of Implementation of the Convention conducted an in-depth review of the state of NBSAPs and developed consolidated guidance for their development, implementation and updating.

The workshops are part of a wider capacity-building initiative of the Secretariat that also includes short training sessions on the margins of the Convention’s major meetings and the preparation of training materials. The approach has been to build upon the wealth of experience and expertise among CBD focal points and others involved in implementation and to work with partner organizations to provide additional expertise where needed.