Event: Asia-Pacific Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs [viewed]
Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the Asia-Pacific Region.
16 May 2013: The Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) announced that it has received National Ivory Action Plans from China, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Uganda, Tanzania and Viet Nam, the first group of countries identified as primary source, transit and import countries affected by illegal trade in ivory.
16 May 2013: The Government of Japan and the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) have jointly signed an agreement to fund implementation of a large forest land rehabilitation project in Côte d'Ivoire. The financing, at the level of US$1.8 million, will support a project to rehabilitate Côte d'Ivoire's forest lands degraded during civil warfare in 2002-2005 and 2010-2011.
14 May 2013: At the 2013 World Customs Organization (WCO) IT Conference & Exhibition, John Scanlon, Secretary-General, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), highlighted cooperation with the WCO on intercepting illegal wildlife trade. 
13 May 2013: The project titled 'Ridge to Reef – Community to Catchment', which is funded by the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) 'Implementing Sustainable Water Resources and Wastewater Management in Pacific Island Countries' project (GEF Pacific IWRM Project), has reported improved national coordination in the water and sanitation sectors and enhanced community involvement in water resource management in the Pohnpei and Chuuk states, part of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM).
1 May 2013: As an element of a joint project between the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), representatives from Azerbaijan and Georgia convened to negotiate elements of a draft agreement on the sustainable management of the Kura River basin.
March 2013: The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) has released a report on great ape conservation and poverty alleviation. The report considers REDD+, tourism, human-wildlife conflict, and great ape biology.
26 April 2013: The first draft of the Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2015-2023, prepared by the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Intersessional Strategic Plan Working Group, has been released for comments, which are requested by 30 September 2013.
