Foreword

Foreword

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) initiated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has three objectives: the conservation of biological diversity; the sustainable use of its components; and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. In the Convention’s first Strategic Plan, adopted in 2002, the Parties committed themselves “to a more effective and coherent implementation of the three objectives of the Convention, to achieve by 2010 a significant reduction of the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global, regional and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth.” Nevertheless, in 2011, scientific consensus agree there stills a continuing loss of habitats and high rates of extinctions in the world. Unless urgent action is taken to reverse current trends, a wide range of services derived from ecosystems, underpinned by biodiversity, could rapidly be lost.

By decision V/10, the Conference of the Parties (COP) of the CBD decided to consider, at its sixth meeting in April 2002 (Cartagena, Colombia), the establishment of a global strategy for plant conservation (GSPC). The overall purpose of the Strategy is to achieve the three objectives of the Convention, particularly for Plant diversity. In decision VI/9, COP adopted the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, and invited relevant organizations to endorse the strategy and contribute to its implementation. Parties and Governments were further invited to develop national and/or regional targets and to incorporate these into relevant plans, programmes and initiatives. The Strategy consists of the following five objectives:

• Objective I: Plant diversity is well understood, documented and recognized;
• Objective II: Plant diversity is urgently and effectively conserved;
• Objective III: Plant diversity is used in a sustainable and equitable manner;
• Objective IV: Education and awareness about plant diversity, its role in sustainable livelihoods and importance to all life on Earth is promoted;
  Objective V: The capacities and public engagement necessary to implement the Strategy have been developed.

By ratifying the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in June 1994, the Government of Cameroon (GoC) recognized that the implementation of the Convention’s provisions could halt and even reverse the loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems for the benefit of Cameroon and the world today and tomorrow. Conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of its components are not the responsibility of government alone. By involving representatives of different categories of biodiversity stakeholders in the development of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), it was recognized that every Cameroonian must feel concerned about biodiversity and that implementation of the NBSAP is fundamental to achieving national development and improving our individual well –being. Cameroonian law No. 96/12 of August 5, 1996 on the Framework Law on the Environmental Management, Title III, Chapter V on the management of natural resources and conservation of biological diversity, Article 62 says: “The nature protection, animal and plant species’ preservation as well as their habitat, the defense of biological balances and ecosystems, the biological and genetic diversity’s conservation against any cause of degradation and extinction’s threat are of national interest. It is the responsibility of public services and every citizen to work on the defense of the natural heritage”.