WDPA Consortium Principles
The following broad principles provide the basis for a consortium for compilation and delivery of the World Database on Protected Areas. The process to review and update the WDPA is a proposal that resulted from the WDPA User Needs Review that was presented to and endorsed by the WCPA Steering Committee meeting in December 2001.
The vision for the WDPA is to have a freely available, accurate and up-to-date World Database on Protected Areas that is accepted as a global standard by all stakeholders. In practical terms, the aim is to ensure that the development, review and update of the WDPA and its placement in the public domain becomes a continuous sustainable process, with consortium members working together to find the necessary resources. The WDPA will also be a central component of the Biodiversity Knowledge Commons, capable of attracting abundant related information.
Institutional Arrangements
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Review and update of the existing WDPA and design, development and maintenance of the new WDPA should be a consortium effort based on:
1.1 Long term (Umbrella) agreement for implementing the WDPA between IUCN and UNEP at the highest level. 1.2 A consortium established between UNEP-WCMC, WCPA, PPA and international NGOs (IUCN members) for the updating and development of the WDPA. 1.3 An institutional structure for the consortium with clear roles and responsibilities for each member, and clear mechanisms for participation of all WDPA stakeholders including international conventions and intergovernmental organizations, multilateral institutions, protected areas agencies and NGO organizations. 1.4 Consortium members will jointly fundraise for developing and maintaining the database.
On the Update of the WDPA
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The information review and update process should:
2.1 Be global in scope both in terms of coverage of all biogeographical realms and types of site included, with the UN List as a product being a subset of the WDPA updating effort; 2.2 Focus on the Core Data Set agreed August 2001; 2.3 Be web-based to the extent possible; and 2.4 Have a clear quality control process that involves the WCPA membership. -
The review and update process should involve directly:
3.1 Agencies responsible for protected areas management; 3.2 WCPA members, as an expert network on protected areas; 3.3 IUCN regional and country offices; 3.4 UNEP regional offices; 3.5 Regional and country focal points of consortium members; and 3.6 Other IUCN Commissions and networks as required. - Complete updated database will be distributed at the World Parks Congress and its content available in the public domain.
On the Development of the New WDPA
- The new WDPA should be designed by the consortium and its experts, drawing on other expertise as appropriate, and ensuring wide consultation.
- The new WDPA must be open and its content available in the public domain both on the Internet and CD-ROM.
- The new WDPA must be linked to all other relevant data sets and initiatives of the Commissions as well as in government and non-government sections, as advised by the consortium.