"Other effective area-based conservation measures" defined at CBD COP 14"
Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 calls for “at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water, and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas” to be “conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well connected systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures.”
The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the long-awaited definition of “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECMs) at its 14th meeting, held from 17 to 29 November 2018 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
An OECM is now defined as:
“A geographically defined area other than a protected area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio–economic, and other locally relevant values.”
The guiding principles, common characteristics and criteria for the identification of OECMs can be found in Annex III of CBD/COP/14/L.19.