4th National Report to CBD - NRE

4 th National Report
2.3 Challenges and Opportunities
The Malaysian government has always adopted a pro-active approach in biodiversity
management. However, with the growing impacts of emerging threats to biodiversity
such as climate change presents greater challenges which will need more concerted
effort not only at the national level, but also global level.
Twenty-five activities were proposed by the National Capacity Needs Self-
Assessment process 26 to improve and enhance the implementation of the three
international conventions, namely the United Nations Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD). The
NCSA process analysed the country’s capacity strengths, constraints and needs, and
recommended capacity development actions to address them.
Thirteen of the actions are related to Conservation of Biological Diversity. These
actions are intended to address the capacity gaps that were identified by the NCSA
process in order to improve and enhance existing implementation in terms of policy
and institutional framework, regulation and guidelines, federal and state cooperation,
inter-agency coordination, knowledge and information management, incentives,
increasing the number of experts (particularly taxonomists), research and
development, reporting framework and mainstreaming.
The table below presents the capacity gaps identified as challenges and the capacity
development action that were identified to address them (Table 23).
Table 23. Capacity Gaps and Proposed Action Plans
Capacity Gaps / Challenges
1. After 10 years since its launch, it is timely to review the
implementation of NPBD. NPBD currently does not provide
targets and timeframe, nor does it delegate duties of
implementation to relevant agencies. The results of a
review may enhance its implementation and to restrategise
its emphasis over the next ten years.
2. There are gaps and overlaps in existing laws and
regulations that govern conservation and sustainable use
of biodiversity.
3. Coordination among implementing agencies can be further
strengthened especially to improve policy planning and
implementation programmes specific to CBD. Consultation
with state governments, and guidance and assistance from
federal government in terms of implementation could be
further improved.
Capacity Development Actions
Review implementation of
National Policy on Biological
Diversity (NPBD).
Fine tune and harmonise
legislations and regulations to
effectively implement conservation
and sustainable use of
biodiversity.
Streamline mandates and roles of
implementing agencies.
26 This report is available at
http://www.nre.gov.my/EN/Documents/NCSA%20Report%20FA%20adjusted%2009jan09.pdf
(viewed April 2009).
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