Production

The production of the third edition of Global Biodiversity Outlook is underway. Currently we are in the process of gathering, data, case studies and interesting examples related to all aspects of biodiversity. This information is being converted into text elements which will be used to complement the information derived from national reports and that on biodiversity indicators. An information database, to help manage and organize the information that is being gathered, is currently in development.

The third edition of Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 is being prepared as a “living draft”. As more up-to-date or relevant data and case studies become available they will be used to replace or improve existing sections of the text. In this way a working draft of Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 will become available in early 2009 and enable contributions and inputs from partners at any point in time.

To ensure that Global Biodiversity Outlook 3 is successful and meets the expectations from Parties, stakeholders and indigenous and local communities, a GBO-3 Advisory Group has been established. This body oversees and provides detailed guidance on specific aspects of the preparation of GBO-3. The first meeting of the GBO-3 Advisory Group was held on the 24 May, 2008 on the margins of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties in Bonn, Germany. In addition the Executive Secretary has created an internal task force composed of participants from all relevant units of the Secretariat to coordinate and manage the production of the publication and its ancillary materials.

It is currently planned to have a zero-order draft prepared for early 2009 so that it can be reviewed by the GBO-3 Advisory Group and other partners. Based on the comments from the Advisory Group a first complete draft of GBO-3 will be available for peer review by SBSTTA focal points and other experts by August/September 2009. The final draft would be finalized in December 2009/January 2010 and published on International Biodiversity Day 2010 (22 May 2010).

The tables below illustrate the schedule of work for the preparation of the third edition of Global Biodiversity Outlook. Please note that the dates are tentative. The timelines for developing ancillary products related to GBO 3 will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

Should you have any questions or comments regarding the production of GBO-3 or if you wish to share relevant information, case studies or data please contact us at GBO3@cbd.int.