Background for the preparation of
the 5th national report Togo ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1995, and developed and adopted its national monograph on biological diversity in 2002. In 2003, the country developed its National Strategy and its initial National Action Plan for the Conservation of Biological Diversity with the effective participation of the various categories of actors. In addition, Togo prepared the first, third and fourth national reports under the CBD. National reports are essential tools for the Conference of the Parties to periodically (every 5 years) review the status of implementation of the Convention, including providing material for the development of the Global Biodiversity Outlook. They are important communication tools. In order to measure the progress made in the implementation of national and international provisions for the period from 2009 to 2014 and in accordance with article 26 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Togo is committed to preparing its 5th national report on the implementation of this Convention in parallel with the process of updating the biodiversity strategy and action plan.

Part 1: Updating the status and trends of biological diversity, threats and consequences for human well-being The socio-economic importance of biodiversity for Togo is appreciated by its provision of numerous food products, raw materials for industry, medicines, construction materials, etc. It is the basis of agricultural production and stimulates economic activity linked to ecotourism. Biodiversity has a very important socio-cultural value in the eyes of populations. Wood forest products are exploited for various uses including biomass energy and lumber and service wood. In terms of non-wood forest products, Togo's plant biodiversity is rich in species for traditional medicinal, fodder, food and other uses. Thus, the organs of several plants (bark, leaves, leaves, roots, fruits, etc.) are used in traditional pharmacopoeia, in socio-cultural rites and even in cosmetics. The contribution of wildlife products also contributes to the improvement of the well-being of Togolese populations by providing them with animal protein essential to their diet, but also by serving them as commercial goods. They generate monetary income for the satisfaction of various needs.

The various forest and aquatic ecosystems are of significant importance insofar as they represent enormous ecotourism potentials. Fishing in the artificial lake of the Nangbéto dam and other aquatic ecosystem mobilizes and supports a population estimated by the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2009 at around 900 individuals. Socioculturally, forests and natural diversity are of particular importance to many communities, providing the basis for numerous religious beliefs and a wealth of traditional knowledge. These values are increasingly recognized thanks to cultural tourism, which in turn can provide a source of income and development. Major changes observed in the status and trends of biological diversity in Togo In terms of the change observed
in the status and trends of biological diversity in Togo, the analysis of land use in Togo in 1975, 2000 and 2010 reflects a large variation in the forms of land use in Togo in 1975, 2000 and 2010. The most dramatic changes are observed in the xiregions in the north of the country, especially in the ecoregions of Dry Sudanian Savannah and the Oti Plain. The southern Benino-Togolese Peninsula ecoregion (an ecoregion that showed very few agricultural areas in 1975) also recorded considerable agricultural expansion that resulted in a great fragmentation of wooded savannas and open forests. In relation to the state and trends of specific diversity in Togo, it should be noted that at the end of research, knowledge on plant diversity brings the current flora of Togo back to 3,501 spontaneous terrestrial species compared to 3,428 recorded on the national territory in 2009. For aquatic species, 240 new species are described increasing their number to 501. Recent research has made it possible to describe 170 species of fungi to date. A total of 4,019 animal species were recorded compared to 3,700 in 2009, an increase of 8% as a result of biodiversity research efforts over the last four years.

The main dangers identified that threaten the preservation of biodiversity in Togo are: the degradation of ecosystems, the proliferation of invasive exotic species, the abusive exploitation of plant resources, the lack of a monitoring mechanism for wildlife species, poaching, etc.
Impacts of the changes observed in biological diversity on the services provided by ecosystems on the services provided by ecosystems on the services provided by ecosystems and socio-economic and cultural consequences It appears that any change observed on one of the components of biodiversity will lead to a modification of the services provided by biodiversity, in particular ecosystems, and will have socio-economic and cultural consequences affecting the well-being of populations. The degradation of ecosystems causes them to malfunction in many areas such as: climate changes, floods, reduced agricultural and fishery yields, etc.

This situation has accentuated the decline in agricultural productivity and therefore in income and has generated precarious living conditions. The growing needs of the population, combined with demanding climatic conditions and a permanent decline in soil fertility, have led to profound changes in the environment. Part 2: National biodiversity strategies and action plans, their implementation and the integration of biological diversity Process for updating the national biodiversity strategy and action plan

The revision of Togo's biodiversity strategy and action plan developed in 2003 was initiated in 2012 by the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources represented by the Department of Wildlife and Hunting (DFC). This process of updating the SPANB took place in several stages and brought together all the local actors concerned with the environment in general and the preservation of biodiversity in particular. These various steps are as follows: (i) Establishment of a Technical Committee to steer the process of updating the SPANB, (ii) Inventory and assessment of the causes and consequences of biodiversity loss, (iii) Definition of national objectives and priorities for biological diversity, (iv) Development of the strategy and the Action Plan, (iv) Development of the strategy and the Action Plan then the development of the plans to implement the communication plan, (v) Validation of the documents produced at various stages of the process.

As part of this process, twenty (20) national objectives have been selected for 2020. These national objectives focus on strengthening legal and institutional capacities, securing the national conservation system and equitable sharing of biodiversity resources in order to meet the global challenges of the new strategic plan 2011-2020 that the 10th Conference of the Parties adopted in October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan. It should be noted that in Togo, numerous measures have been taken to implement the Convention
on Biological Diversity (CBD). These measures include: the collaboration of the services of the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources with national and international organizations to participate in the fight against trafficking in specimens of fauna and flora in Togo; the development of planning documents for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; the improvement of the framework for consultation of stakeholders for the sustainable management and use of biodiversity and the improvement of the political, legal and regulatory framework
and institutional biodiversity management.

The various seizures of wildlife specimens carried out between 2010 and 2014 by Togo highlight the clear desire of the Togolese Government to contribute, not only at the regional and international levels to the conservation of biological diversity, but also to security, given that ivory trafficking is the 3rd form of crime. Integration of biological diversity into sectoral and cross-sectoral strategies, plans and
programmes. Taking account of environmental concerns in general and biological diversity in particular in strategies, plans and programmes has been a major step forward in Togo since 2010. This integration is a reality in planning documents at the national level such as the poverty reduction strategy and the sustainable development strategy. At the level of certain sectors, such as water and forest resources, biological diversity is taken into account in the strategies of these sectors. Sectors with
poor consideration of biological diversity are: agriculture, mining and energy, infrastructure where efforts still need to be made.

Part 3: Progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and Contributions to the 2015 Millennium Development Goals Targets

Analysis of progress
The Aichi targets best mentioned in planning and policy documents are goals 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 10, 14 and 15. Operationally, the level of awareness of the importance of biodiversity conservation is increasing among populations, which is explained by the progress made in the decentralized and community management of biodiversity with the support of NGOs and CSOs. The development of the second-generation biodiversity strategy and action plan for the period 2011-2020 is a major step forward in the
implementation of the biodiversity strategic plan.

Togo will truly implement the 2011-2020 strategic plan for biodiversity with national projects that have received relatively large amounts of funding. Numerous initiatives are under way, including projects related to protected area management, land restoration and disaster management. The success of these projects should contribute to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, (ii) the fight against desertification and land degradation, (iii) the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions
and other sources of pollution; (iv) the promotion of private and community forestry; (v) the promotion of private and community forestry; (v) the increase of plant cover through reforestation and the development and restoration of natural forests.