Ethiopian Institute of Biodiversity www.ibc.gov.et

Article 25 of the Convention on Biological Diversity establishes an open-ended intergovernmental scientific advisory body known as the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) to provide the Conference of the Parties (COP) and, as appropriate, its other subsidiary bodies, with timely advice relating to the implementation of the Convention. [...] Its functions include: providing assessments of the status of biological diversity; providing assessments of the types of measures taken in accordance with the provisions of the Convention; and responding to questions that the COP may put to the body. [...] 2 Biodiversity Monthly Newsletter The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IT- PGRFA) is a legally binding instrument with an objective of conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their use, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity, for sustaina. [...] The Institute of biodiversity conservation, as focal point to the IT-PGRFA is responsible for following up implementation of the Treaty as well as undertaking conservation, sustainable use and sharing benefits arising from utilization of plant genetic resources according to the Treaty. [...] The report, titled “Assessment of the Socio-Economic Value of Freshwater Species for the Northern African Region,” includes an introduction to freshwater ecosystems and the situation in northern Africa, outlines the study methodology, and examines the socio-economic value of freshwater fish and aquatic plants.