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Tb eNEWS - 11 - October 2017

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POLICY >> Resolutions >> CBD SBSTTA

Convention on Biological Diversity - Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

CBD, SBSTTA 3, Montreal, Canada, 1997
SBSTTA III/1 [Global]

CBD, SBSTTA 8, Montreal, Canada, 2003
SBSTTA VIII/1 Main Theme: Mountain Biodiversity [Global] [Regional]
SBSTTA VIII/2 Inland Water Ecosystems: Review, Further Elaboration and Refinement of the Programme of Work [Global]
SBSTTA VIII/3 Marine and Coastal Biodiversity: Review, Further Elaboration and Refinement of the Programme of Work [Global]
SBSTTA VIII/4 Dry and Sub-Humid Lands Biodiversity: Matters Requested By the Conference of the Parties in Paragraphs 5 and 6 Of its Decision V/23 and Decision VI/4 [Global]
SBSTTA VIII/5 Biological Diversity and Tourism: Draft Guidelines for Activities Related to Sustainable Tourism Development and Biological Diversity and Case-Studies on the Implementation of the Guidelines [Global]

CBD, SBSTTA 9, Montreal, Canada, 2003
SBSTTA IX/4 Protected Areas [Global] [Regional]
SBSTTA IX/6 Ecosystem Approach: Further Elaboration, Guidelines for Implementation and Relationship with Sustainable Forest Management [Global]
SBSTTA IX/7 Draft Addis Ababa Principles and Guidelines for the Sustainable Use of Biodiversity [Global]
SBSTTA IX/12 Mountain Biological Diversity [Global] [Regional]

CBD, SBSTTA 10, Bangkok, Thailand, 2005
SBSTTA X/4 Global Outcome-Oriented Targets for the Implementation of the Programmes of Work on the Biological Diversity of Inland Water Ecosystems and Marine and Coastal Biodiversity [Global]

CBD, SBSTTA 11, Montreal, Canada, 2005
SBSTTA XI/12 Alien Species That Threaten Ecosystems, Habitats or Species (Article 8 (H)): Further Consideration of Gaps and Inconsistencies in the International Regulatory Framework [Global] [Regional]

CBD, SBSTTA 3, Montreal, Canada, 1997
SBSTTA III/1 [Global]
Agenda Item 3: The Main Ecosystem Topic: Assessment of the Status and Trends of the Biological Diversity of Inland Water Ecosystems and Identification of Options for Conservation and Sustainable Use

A. Recommendation concerning agenda item 3

III. Recommendations to Parties

SBSTTA further recommends to the Conference of the Parties that Parties:

Transboundary Cooperation
Develop effective cooperation for sustainable management of transboundary watersheds and migratory species including watershed planning commissions;

Agenda Item 7.2: Review of Methodologies for Assessment of Biological Diversity (As Pertaining To Inland Water Ecosystems)

C. Recommendation concerning agenda item 7.2

The SBSTTA
Recognizing the importance of the clearing-house mechanism in the dissemination of methodologies for assessment of biological diversity:

5. Recommends to the Conference of the Parties that the transboundary nature of many inland water ecosystems be fully taken into account in assessments, and notes that it may be appropriate for relevant regional and international bodies to contribute to such assessments;

CBD, SBSTTA 8, Montreal, Canada, 2003
SBSTTA VIII/1 Main Theme: Mountain Biodiversity [Global] [Regional]
http://www.cbd.int/recommendation/sbstta/?id=7054

Annex I - Programme of Work on Mountain Biological Diversity

Programme element 2: Means of Implementation for Conservation, Sustainable Use and Benefit Sharing

Goal 2.3. To establish regional and transboundary collaboration and the establishment of cooperative agreements

Suggested actions
2.3.1. Promote international and concerted activities on mountain ranges, in order to create integrated transboundary cooperation supported by legislation, with protocols covering specific thematic issues such as landscape management, mountain agriculture, mountain forest, tourism, energy and conflict resolution.
2.3.2. Improve transboundary cooperation promoting international research programmes on mountain ranges.

SBSTTA VIII/2 Inland Water Ecosystems: Review, Further Elaboration and Refinement of the Programme of Work [Global]
http://www.cbd.int/recommendation/sbstta/?id=7055

Annex - Proposed Revised Programme of Work on Inland Water Biological Diversity

Programme element 1: Conservation, Sustainable Use and Benefit-Sharing

Goal 1.1. To integrate the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into all relevant sectors of water-resource and river-basin management, taking into account the ecosystem approach

Objectives
(a) Adopt integrated land and catchment/watershed/river basin management approaches that incorporate the ecosystem approach, and the conservation and sustainable use of inland water ecosystems, including transboundary catchments, watersheds and river basins;

Supporting activities
1.1.11. The Ramsar Bureau should be invited to bring to the attention of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity relevant guidance or approaches adopted by the Ramsar Convention for the wise use of wetlands, such as:

(a) The Ramsar Convention guidelines for integrating wetland conservation and wise use into river basin management; and
(b) Model approaches to transboundary watershed or river basin management that can demonstrate effective mechanisms for cooperative management.

Goal 1.2: To establish and maintain comprehensive, adequate and representative systems of protected inland water ecosystems within the framework of integrated catchment/watershed/river basin management

Objective

(b) Where appropriate, transboundary, collaborative approaches to identifying, recognizing and managing protected inland water ecosystems are undertaken between neighbouring Parties.

Activities of the Parties

1.2.5. As appropriate, work collaboratively with neighbouring Parties to identify, have formally recognized and managed transboundary protected inland water ecosystems.

Supporting activities of the Executive Secretary

1.2.7. Review and disseminate relevant information and guidance, including through the clearing-house mechanism, on national and transboundary experiences and case-studies to assist efforts in establishing and maintaining protected inland water ecosystems considering inter alia:
      (a) The range of resource materials and guidance available through the IUCN Commission on Protected Areas;
      (b) The Ramsar Convention strategic framework for the future development of the List of Wetlands of International Importance, and its specific guidance in relation to the identification and designation of certain inland water ecosystem types such as karsts and subterranean hydrological systems, peatland, wet grasslands etc;
      (c) The new Ramsar guidelines on management planning for Ramsar sites and other wetlands, adopted by the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention at its eighth meeting; and
      (d) Advice and guidance available from the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere programme, International Hydrological Programme (IHP) and World Heritage Centre.

Goal 1.4: To prevent the introduction of invasive alien species that potentially threaten the biological diversity of inland water ecosystems, and to control and, where possible, eradicate established invasive species in these ecosystems

Objective
Through national biodiversity strategies and action plans and other relevant national and regional policies, programmes and plans undertake appropriate actions to prevent invasive alien species, which threaten the biological diversity of inland water ecosystems, from spreading and either control or eradicate them where invasion has already taken place.

Activities of the Parties
1.4.4. Within the context of transboundary catchments, watershed and river-basin management, and especially in relation to inter-basin water transfers, provide appropriate mechanisms to prevent the spread of invasive alien species.

Programme element 3: Knowledge, Assessment and Monitoring

Goal 3.1: To develop an improved understanding of the biodiversity found in inland water ecosystems, how these systems function, their ecosystem goods and services and the values they can provide

Objectives
(a) Develop an improved picture of the status and trends of the biological diversity of inland waters, its uses, taxonomy and threats and ensure adequate dissemination of this information.
(b) Establish, maintain and further develop expertise in inland water biological diversity and ecosystems.

Activities of the Parties
3.1.1. Encourage, and where possible support, applied research to gain an improved understanding of the status, trends, taxonomy and uses of biological diversity in inland water ecosystems, including transboundary systems where applicable.

Goal 3.2: To develop, based on inventories, rapid and other assessments applied at the regional, national and local levels, an improved understanding of threats to inland water ecosystems and responses of different types of inland water ecosystems to these threats

Objectives
      (a) Assessments and inventories of inland water biodiversity undertaken, including the urgent identification of stressed inland water ecosystems and those mentioned in Annex I of the Convention.
      (b) Rapid assessments, using suitable indicators, being undertaken for inland water biodiversity, in particular in small island States and States where inland water ecosystems suffer from ecological disasters.
      (c) Build national capacity for undertaking the above-mentioned assessments through appropriate mechanisms.

See also goal 3.3 in relation to environmental, cultural and social impact assessments.

Activities of the Parties
3.2.1. In accordance with the priorities set down in national biodiversity strategies and action plans, undertake comprehensive national inventories and assessments of inland water biological diversity, which may be regarded as important in accordance with the terms of Annex I of the Convention. Furthermore, undertake assessments of threatened habitats and species, and conduct inventories and impact assessments of alien species in inland water ecosystems using the guidelines adopted by the Conference of the Parties in decision VI/7 A. The transboundary nature of many inland water ecosystems should be fully taken into account in assessments, and it may be appropriate for relevant regional and international bodies to contribute to such assessments.

Supporting activities
3.2.10. Through continued collaboration with global and regional assessments including, but not restricted to, GIWA, WWAP, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the FAO Fisheries Assessment, GEO, GBIF, the report on State of the World's Plant and Animal Resources and the IUCN Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment and Red List of Threatened Species, seek to advance the generation of information on status and trends, which can assist and support global, transboundary and national priority setting processes for the conservation and sustainable use of inland water biodiversity.

Goal 3.3. To ensure projects and actions with the potential to impact negatively on the biological diversity of inland water ecosystems are subjected, in accordance with national legislation and where appropriate, to suitably rigorous impact assessments, including consideration of their potential impact on sacred sites and on lands and waters traditionally occupied or used by indigenous and local communities

Objectives
(a) Undertake environmental impact assessments, in accordance with national legislation and where appropriate, for all projects with the potential to impact on the biological diversity of inland water ecosystems, ensuring that these take into account the "...inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse". 5/
(b) Conduct cultural, environmental, and socio-economic impact assessments, in accordance with national legislation and where appropriate, regarding developments proposed to take place on, or which are likely to impact on, sacred sites and on lands and waters traditionally occupied or used by indigenous and local communities, in accordance with decision VI/10.

Activities of the Parties:
3.3.3. For transboundary inland water ecosystems undertake, where feasible and appropriate and by agreement between the Parties concerned, collaborative impact and environmental flow assessments when applying the Convention's guidelines for incorporating biodiversity-related issues into environmental impact assessment legislation and/or processes and in strategic environmental assessment.

SBSTTA VIII/3 Marine and Coastal Biodiversity: Review, Further Elaboration and Refinement of the Programme of Work [Global]
http://www.cbd.int/recommendation/sbstta/?id=7056

Annex II - Guidance for the Development of a National Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Management Framework

13. Good governance will depend on having one or more bodies, each with the authority and capacity to undertake their responsibilities. When there is more than one body, including, in the case of transboundary areas, bodies in different countries, mechanisms for coordinating and integrating management will be vital.

Annex III - Improvement of Available Data for Assessment of Progress towards the Global Goal

1. Since 1981, UNEP-WCMC has developed and maintained a global database on protected areas. The importance of this database, which is managed in collaboration with the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, has been broadly recognized. Within the database is a subset of clearly identified marine and coastal protected areas.

2. The AHTEG examined available information, consulted UNEP-WCMC (and indirectly WWF-International), and concluded that global data on MCPAs should be improved and/or gathered in the following critical categories:
(a) Location (physical coordinates and country or political unit, including the names of neighbouring country/countries where the MCPA is transboundary);
(b) Total size of the protected area, the relative size of the marine and coastal component and, where transboundary, the total area under country jurisdiction;

Annex IV - Elements of a Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Management Framework

C. Mariculture

The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice recommends that the Conference of the Parties:
12. Expresses its support for regional and international collaboration to address transboundary impacts of mariculture on biodiversity, such as spread of disease and invasive alien species;

SBSTTA VIII/4 Dry and Sub-Humid Lands Biodiversity: Matters Requested By the Conference of the Parties in Paragraphs 5 and 6 Of its Decision V/23 and Decision VI/4 [Global]
http://www.cbd.int/recommendation/sbstta/?id=7057

Annex - Synthesis Table of Expected Outcomes and Timeframes, Potential Actors, and Indicators of Progress in the Implementation of the Programme of Work

Activity	EXPECTED OUTCOMES	TIME-FRAME	KEY ACTORS	STATUS	PROGRESS INDICATORS	PROGRESS INDICATORS
PART B: TARGETED ACTIONS
ACTIVITY 8 . PROMOTION OF RESPONSIBLE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
(D) TRANSBOUNDARY ISSUES	· GUIDELINES ON TRANSBOUNDARY COLLABORATION IMPLEMENTED THROUGH NBSAPS AND NAPS		PARTIES, WCPA, IGOS	PROPOSED	DRAFT GUIDELINES	2008
	· INCREASED NUMBER OF BILATERAL AND SUBREGIONAL COLLABORATIVE ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE		PARTIES	ONGOING		2008

SBSTTA VIII/5 Biological Diversity and Tourism: Draft Guidelines for Activities Related to Sustainable Tourism Development and Biological Diversity and Case-Studies on the Implementation of the Guidelines [Global]
http://www.cbd.int/recommendation/sbstta/?id=7058

Annex - (draft) Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development

(Draft) international guidelines for activities related to sustainable tourism development in vulnerable terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems and habitats of major importance for biological diversity and protected areas, including fragile riparian and mountain ecosystems

B. The policy-making, development planning and management process

21. Requirements for site-specific information in relation to proposals for tourism development and activities at particular locations are set out in the notification process, and its compilation should follow the ecosystem approach. To enable impact assessment and decision making, the basic information required includes:

      (c) Development aspects:
        (x) Summary of the proposed project, why and by whom it is proposed, estimated outcomes and possible impacts (including impacts on the surrounding areas and transboundary impacts), and quantitative and qualitative data on these aspects;
         (xi) Description of the stages of development and the various structures and stakeholders that may be involved at each stage;
        (xii) Description of current land-uses, infrastructures, tourism facilities and services and their interaction with proposed operations.

Goals

6. Impact management and mitigation

48. Impact management in relation to transboundary ecosystems and migratory species requires regional cooperation.

C. Notification process and information requirements

85. Information to be provided as part of the notification could include:
(l) Likelihood of impacts beyond the immediate area of the tourism development or activities, including transboundary impacts and effects on migratory species;

CBD, SBSTTA 9, Montreal, Canada, 2003
SBSTTA IX/4 Protected Areas [Global] [Regional]
http://www.cbd.int/recommendation/sbstta/?id=7460

Annex - Proposed Elements of a Programme of Work on Protected Areas

ii. Overall Purpose and Scope of the Programme of Work
8. The Convention's work on protected areas takes into account the ecosystem approach. The ecosystem approach is the primary framework for action under the Convention, and its application will help reach a balance between the three objectives of the Convention. Multiple-use protected areas applied in an ecosystem approach context can, for example, help meet specific goals relating to conservation, sustainable use and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The ecosystem approach provides a framework within which the relationship of protected areas to the wider landscape and seascape can be understood, and the goods and services flowing from protected areas can be valued. In addition, the establishment and management of protected area systems in the context of the ecosystem approach should not simply be considered in national terms, but where the relevant ecosystem extends beyond national boundaries, in ecosystem or bioregional terms as well. This presents a strong argument for transboundary and high-seas protected areas.

III. Programme Elements, Goals and Actions

Goal 1.3 - To establish and strengthen regional networks, transboundary protected areas (TBPAs) and collaboration between neighbouring protected areas across national boundaries

Target: Establish and strengthen by 2010,7/ transboundary protected areas, other forms of collaboration between neighbouring protected areas across national boundaries and regional networks to the extent necessary to achieve Goal 1.1, to enhance the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, implementing the ecosystem approach, and improving international cooperation.

Suggested activities of the Parties
1.3.1 Collaborate with other parties and relevant partners to establish effective regional networks of protected areas , particularly around shared ecological resources identified as conservation priorities (e.g. barrier reef systems, large scale river basins, mountain systems, large remaining forest areas), and establish multi-country coordination mechanisms as appropriate to support the establishment and effective long term management of such networks.
1.3.2 Collaborate with other Parties to establish and manage protected areas on the high seas and other areas beyond national jurisdiction.
1.3.3 Establish, where appropriate, new TBPAs with adjacent Parties and countries and strengthen effective collaborative management of existing TBPAs.
1.3.4 Harmonize relevant national management practices with a view to facilitating the establishment and management of TBPAs.

Suggested supporting activities of the Executive Secretary
1.3.5 Collaborate and consult with inter alia the Ramsar Bureau, World Heritage Centre and UNESCO MAB, Ramsar and CMS Conventions, UNEP-WCMC, IUCN-WCPA, local and indigenous communities, NGOs, private sector companies and funding agencies for developing guidelines for establishing transboundary protected areas and collaborative management approaches, as appropriate, for dissemination to Parties, taking into account the existing IUCN-WCPA Guidelines on TBPAs.
1.3.6 Prepare, for the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, a comprehensive inventory of existing adjacent protected areas on either side of international borders, and other transfrontier land areas suitable for the establishment of TBPAs, with particular attention to such areas lying within biodiversity hotspots.
1.3.7 Compile and disseminate information on regional networks of protected areas, including , as far as possible, their geographical distribution, their historical background, their role and the partners involved.

Main partners
Parties, UNESCO-MAB, World Heritage Centre, IUCN-WCPA, Ramsar, CMS, CITES and other environmental conventions.

Other collaborators
Relevant international, regional and national organizations and intergovernmental organizations.]

Programme element 3: Enabling activities

Goal 3.1 - To provide an enabling policy, institutional and socioeconomic environment for protected areas:

Target: by 2008 review and revise policies as appropriate , including use of social and economic valuation and incentives, to provide a supportive enabling environment for more effective establishment and management of protected areas and protected areas systems.

Suggested activities of the Parties
3.1.10 Cooperate with neighbouring countries to establish an enabling environment for transboundary protected areas and other similar approaches including regional networks.

Goal 4.2 - To evaluate the effectiveness of protected areas management:

Target: By 2008, frameworks for monitoring, evaluating and reporting protected areas management effectiveness at sites, national and regional systems, and transboundary protected area levels adopted and implemented by Parties.

Suggested activities of the Parties
4.2.1 Develop standards and best practice guidelines for evaluating the effectiveness of protected area management and governance, and set up a related database, taking into account the IUCN-WCPA framework for evaluating management effectiveness, and other relevant methodologies, which should adapted to local conditions.
4.2.2 Select by 2005 appropriate methods, criteria and indicators for evaluating protected areas management effectiveness.
4.2.3 Implement management effectiveness evaluations of at least 30 percent of each Party's protected areas by 2010 and of national protected area systems and ecological networks.
4.2.4 Include information resulting from evaluation of protected areas management effectiveness in national reports under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
4.2.5 Focus management effectiveness efforts on site and system planning, governance, participatory process, financing, access to genetic resources, and benefit sharing processes.

Suggested supporting activities of the Executive Secretary
4.2.6 Compile and disseminate information on initiatives through the clearing-house mechanism and develop a database of experts in evaluation of protected area management effectiveness.
4.2.7 Compile information on approaches to protected area design, establishment and management that have high probability of being the most effective in conserving biodiversity.

Main partners
IUCN-WCPA, UNEP-WCMC, UNESCO-MAB, World Heritage Centre, Ramsar and other environmental conventions.

Other collaborators
Relevant international, regional and national organizations, WWF, The Nature Conservancy, Birdlife International, other NGOs and interested parties.

SBSTTA IX/6 Ecosystem Approach: Further Elaboration, Guidelines for Implementation and Relationship with Sustainable Forest Management [Global]
http://www.cbd.int/recommendation/sbstta/?id=7462

Annex I - Refinement and Elaboration of the Ecosystem Approach, Based on Assessment of Experience of Parties in Implementation

B. Additional explanatory notes on cross-cutting issues related to operational guidance
1. Table 1: The 12 Principles of the ecosystem approach and their rationale (decision V/6 of the Conference of the Parties, http://www.biodiv.org/decisions/default.asp?lg=0&dec=V/6), suggested annotations to the rationale and implementation guidelines.

Principle 3: Ecosystem managers should consider the effects (actual or potential) of their activities on adjacent and other ecosystems.
3.4 Establish and maintain national and regional monitoring systems to measure the effects of selected management actions across ecosystems. Plus matching management follow-up (cf 5.9)
Develop specific mechanisms (this needs to be broader and not push towards any particular mechanism such as a protocol) to address transboundary issues associated with shared ecosystems and with transboundary transfer of ecological impacts (e.g. air and water pollution).

SBSTTA IX/7 Draft Addis Ababa Principles and Guidelines for the Sustainable Use of Biodiversity [Global]
http://www.cbd.int/recommendation/sbstta/?id=7463

Operational guidelines

A7 Promote exchange programmes in scientific and technical areas.

Practical principle 7: The spatial and temporal scale of management should be compatible with the ecological and socio-economic scales of the use and its impact. 21 /

Rationale: Management of sustainable use activities should be scaled to the ecological and socio-economic needs of the use. If, for example, fish are harvested from a lake, the owner of the lake should be in charge of, and accountable for, the management of the lake subject to national or, as appropriate, subnational policy and legislation. In case of transboundary resources, it is advisable that appropriate representation from those states participate in the management and decisions about the resources.

SBSTTA IX/12 Mountain Biological Diversity [Global] [Regional]
http://www.cbd.int/recommendation/sbstta/?id=7468

Annex - The Proposed Programme of Work on Mountain Biodiversity

C. Programme elements, goals and actions

Programme element 2: Means of Implementation for Conservation, Sustainable Use and Benefit-Sharing

Goal 2.3. To establish regional and transboundary collaboration and the establishment of cooperative agreements

Actions
2.3.1. Promote integrated transboundary cooperation, supported by legislation, where appropriate, and strategies for sustainable activities on mountain ranges. Cooperative arrangements should cover specific thematic issues such as landscape, soil, wetland, watershed, rangeland, mining, protected areas and wildlife management, agriculture, forestry, transportation, energy and tourism.
2.3.2. Promote and strengthen regional and transboundary cooperation for research, adaptive management, and exchange of expertise to improve the conservation and management of mountain biodiversity, e.g., Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA) and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
2.3.3. Promote the appreciation and conservation of mountain biological diversity as a means of reducing human conflict, i.e., through peace parks.
2.3.4. Strengthen collaboration and synergies between the work programmes of the Convention on Biological Diversity and other global conventions and agreements on climate change, desertification, transboundary pollution, invasive alien species, wetlands and endangered species, with a special focus on mountain systems and their biological diversity, including through joint programmes of work. Also strengthen collaboration with the International Partnership for Sustainable Development in Mountain Regions and regional conventions on mountains.

Annex - Application of the Targets to the Programmes of Work on the Biodiversity of Inland Water Ecosystems and Marine and Coastal Biodiversity

*Goals and targets as per the framework (decision VII/30, annex II)*	*Application of the targets to the programme of work on marine and coastal biodiversity*	*Application of the targets to the programme of work on inland waters biodiversity*
Protect the components of biodiversity
Goal 2. Promote the conservation of species diversity
Target 2.1: Restore, maintain or reduce the decline of populations of species of selected taxonomic groups.	Reduce the decline of, maintain or restore populations of species of selected marine and coastal taxonomic groups.	Reduce the decline of, maintain or restore populations of species of selected taxonomic groups dependent upon inland water ecosystems.
Target 2.2: Status of threatened species improved.	Known globally threatened and endangered marine and coastal species, with particular attention to migratory and transboundary species and populations, effectively conserved.	The world's known threatened inland water ecosystem dependent species of plants and animals conserved, with particular attention to migratory, transboundary and endemic species and populations.

Aquaculture/mariculture
19. Encourages regional bodies and conventions governing inland water or marine and coastal ecosystems, such as transboundary inland water management bodies and the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans, to consider developing cooperative arrangements and/or voluntary certification schemes for aquaculture to address invasive alien species, taking into account existing efforts such as those of the Global Aquaculture Alliance;

Inter-basin water transfer and navigational canals
56. Urges Parties and other Governments, as a matter of priority, to implement activity 1.4.4 of the revised programme of work on inland waters (decision VII/4, annex), ("Within the context of transboundary catchments, watershed and river-basin management, and especially in relation to inter-basin water transfers, provide appropriate mechanisms to prevent the spread of invasive alien species").