In conjunction with the 2010 Biodiversity Indicators Partnership, UNEP-WCMC is leading a project to assist countries in eastern and southern Africa to develop national level biodiversity indicators on a sustainable basis. The project runs from 2008 to 2010 and is working with six countries in eastern Africa and seven countries in southern Africa.

The project is designed to assist the participating countries in the development of  biodiversity indicators of their choice that meet priority needs, such as strengthening national protected areas systems. Project activities consist of three regional capacity building workshops in eastern and southern Africa, and the development of selected indicators by national teams, with technical assistance provided by UNEP-WCMC. The project will support the use of existing data sets, reducing dependence on external funding for new indicators.

The project’s main activities are:

• An inception workshop to review the issues and good practice in biodiversity indicator development, including national and international needs for indicators, and building on national experience. This results in the drafting of national biodiversity indicator development plans that are improved through national consultations. These plans aim to select a few indicators for development and reporting with the support of the project.

• Provision of on‐line and in‐country technical support to national indicator agencies in the calculation and interpretation of indicators, according to identified needs.

• A mid‐term workshop, to review progress and learning between the countries and continue capacity building. This includes a review of the concepts of ecosystem services and experiences with their assessment in Africa and other parts of the world.

• A concluding workshop and report after 18 months, to identify lessons learned and recommendations from the establishment of new biodiversity indicators in each country.

This United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) project is funded by the UN Development Account and technical implementation is led by UNEP-WCMC.