BIODIVERSITY ECONOMY INDABA

1. BIODIVERSITY ECONOMY INDABA 2017/2018 Biodiversity and Conservation

2. Presentation outline • Introduction • Background • Biodiversity Economy Indaba objectives • Biodiversity Economy Indaba Activities • Delegates profiles • The Venue

3. Introduction • The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) envisions a prosperous and equitable society living in harmony with its natural resources. • Buoyed by this inspiring vision, DEA’s mission seeks to provide leadership in environmental management, conservation and protection towards sustainability for the benefit of South Africans and the global community • DEA draws its Mandate from Section 24 of the South African Constitution which protects the environment for the present and future generations through measures that conserve, protect and advance the sustainable utilization of South Africa’s Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity; regulation of environmental impacts on soil, water & air; and the promotion and encouragement of sustainable Development through various mechanisms including advocacy. • Inspired by its conviction to transform the environmental sector within the context of a developmental state – which focuses on facilitating and supporting the planning and sustainable growth of economic activity in green sectors, DEA – working with the industry, public sector players and communities initiated the Biodiversity Economy Indaba (BEI) as a biennale event since 2013.

4. Background • Pitched under the theme: “Entrepreneurs meets investors, for a thriving and inclusive biodiversity economy”, and proposed to take place in Eastern Cape at the East London ICC, the third BEI intends to match the various stockholders emanating from far flung areas where plants and animal species are geographically located, with aspirant investors and related markets within and outside the borders of South Africa. • BEI would become a one-stop platform for those seeking biodiversity economy business ventures, business advisors/consultants-investors, Traditional Knowledge (TK) holders, genetic resources stockholders, the public sector regulating bodies in a unique business match - making trade and investment platform • This would thus in turn take the objectives of the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy (NBES) and its implementing mechanism-the Biodiversity Lab into a new trajectory of concrete and tangible delivery expediency. • The First National Biodiversity Economy Indaba was held on the 11th and 12th November 2013 at Protea Hotel, the Ranch in the Limpopo Province. This event mainly focused on the Wildlife and Bioprospecting awareness and created platform for dialogue with the biodiversity economy sector. • Fast forward, the Second BEI was held during 2015 in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal Province. The event was themed: ‘Biodiversity is good for Business, Business is good for Biodiversity’ and was aimed at promoting the sustainable use of biological resources and raising awareness on how such resources can promote socio-economic development improving the livelihood of impoverished communities.

5. Objectives • To pitch the BEI as a Premier African Biodiversity Economy Trade and Investment platform, • To stage the BEI as a unique platform to match the lucrative international wildlife and bioprospecting/biotrade markets with owners, custodians and stock holders of wildlife and genetic resources in South Africa and Africa-(bringing the market to Africa!) • The BEI should meaningfully contribute to the economy of the town/city and stimulate economic activity of the area where it is hosted. • To utilise BEI as a platform for regional dialogue/negotiations and cooperation on biodiversity economy and management issues and crafting the regional position on such issues • To optimize the BEI as a platform to accelerate inclusive growth, transformation and sustainable development within the wildlife and bioprospecting/trade sector. • To create awareness of wildlife and bioprospecting/trade beneficiation through conservation and localization of industries • To host the BEI as an biennial event, incorporating aspects of exhibitions, dialogue/conference, trade and investment and a launching pad for new initiatives within the biodiversity economy sector

6. Preparing participation by emerging entrepreneurs • DEA, Provincial conservation authorities and National conservation agencies would prepare a standard “intent to invest template”. • Provinces and conservation agencies would workshop the template with the emerging entrepreneurs and emerging farmers who will participate in the upcoming BEI. • DEA, Provincial conservation authorities and National conservation agencies would set the minimum number of emerging entrepreneurs each Province could support to participate in the BEI (e.g. minimum 4 with 2 from bioprospecting and 2 from wildlife economy) • Conservation Authorities would assist emerging farmers and entrepreneurs to participate meaningfully in the upcoming BEI including offering the necessary orientation and training for them to interphase with potential investors.

7. Preparing for investor buy-in and Industry participation • Consultations and communication for the BEI • SAA incentives as a preferred carrier to bring bioprospecting and wildlife economy investors all over the world through the same model they use for bringing tour operators during Tourism Indaba to Durban every year. • Tax rebates as incentives for localization of industries • Make provisions for exhibition stands for industry • Working closely with the Eastern Cape stakeholders

8. BIODIVERSITY ECONOMY INDABA ACTIVITIES • Launch of Projects at respective site/s Double Drift project • Official Opening Re-launch of the Wildlife Forum; Launch of the Wildlife Charter Council; Launch of the Biodiversity Economy Strategy (NBES) and the Biodiversity Delivery Lab Outcomes; Launch of the BioProducts Advancement Network South Africa (BioPANZA); Launch of the Honeybush Committee of Practice; Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Agriculture Research Council; Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with Department of Small Business Development; • Regional Negotiations CoP-MoP3: African Regional Position Preparatory meeting • Investors Conference Bioprospecting/trade investment opportunities Wildlife Economy investment opportunities • Networking Dinner under the theme: “Entrepreneurs meet Investors” BABS Permit Handover B2B engagements

9. Expected delegates profiles • Biodiversity economy business ventures(wildlife and bioprospectors/trade) • Business advisors/consultants-investors, • Traditional Knowledge (TK) holders, • Community delegates (e.g. traditional leaders etc) • CBOs, NGOs in biodiversity and conservation • Genetic resources stockholders, • The public sector regulating bodies • National, provincial and local government stakeholders • SADC/African Regional multilateral negotiation block • Sector value-chain players • Learners, students & Academics

10. PROPOSED DATES: 07 TO 10 March 2018VENUE: EAST LONDON ICC

11. EAST LONDON ICC: EXHIBITION: FLOORPLAN • Provincial Conservation Authorities exhibition Stands with their SMMEs = 18 stands (6x3m2) at R 15 000.00 each • Industry stands: 10 stands (3x3m2at R 7 500.00) & 6 stands (3x6m2 at R 15 000.00 each

12. Contact details BEI PROJECT OFFICE Mr K Matibe Project Leader 012 399 8621, kmatibe@environment.gov.za Ms Elize Makkink Project logistics coordinator 012 399 9591 emakkink@environment.gov.za Content Leaders Ms Natalie Feltman – nfeltman@environment.gov.za (Bioprospecting/biotrade) Ms Olga Kumalo – okumalo@environment.gov.za (TOPS & CITES regulations) Mr Xola Mkefe – xmkefe@environment.gov.za (Wildlife Economy)