1. Introduction

The Malawi biodiversity Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) is a system for sharing the country’s biodiversity information to facilitate the development and implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and other Biodiversity related strategies and policies in Malawi. The core part of the system is a website that enables easy access to the information at any time. The website has been developed  based on the Bioland Tool in 2024. The development of the national CHM website was done in a participatory manner  involving all relevant stakeholders. The Focal point for the CHM is currently Environmental Affairs Department in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change.

2. Vision

An up-to-date national biodiversity Clearing House Mechanism that is readily accessible to all.

3. Mission

To contribute to the effective implementation of  the National Biodiversity and Strategy and Action Plan and relevant strategies and policies through information services and other appropriate means in order to promote and facilitate relevant collaboration and partnerships, knowledge sharing and information exchange.

4. CHM Goal

To provide effective information services that facilitate the implementation of the national biodiversity strategy and action plan and related strategies and policies in Malawi.

5.  CHM Scope

The scope of information covered by the clearing-house mechanism is mainly focused on the following broad categories: 

-scientific information;

-regulatory information;

-capacity building information; and

-information on the status of implementation of the Malawi’s NBSAP and related strategies and policies.

6. Outcomes and Strategies

6.1. The country has the capacity to sustain an effective national clearing-house mechanism.

6.1.1. Strengthening institutional framework for the management of the CHM. This involves the establishment of a technical team with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

6.1.2. Capacity building and training. Responsible staff at EAD and relevant  stakeholders are trained to build the technical skills needed to manage, analyse, and share data within the clearing-house. Appropriate equipment and software for the tasks are provided.

6.1.3 Sustainable financing. The system management is currently being financed by government and other partners.

6.2. High-quality national clearing-house mechanism website is readily accessible all the time.

6.2.1. Technical infrastructure and hosting. Malawi’s biodiversity CHM is hosted by the CBD Secretariat for high uptime guarantees and the ability to scale based on traffic spikes.

6.2.2. Ensuring quality website design and functionality. The national CHM website is based on Bioland Tool which has a responsive design, ensuring that  it is mobile-friendly and can be accessed from a range of devices, including smartphones and tablets, to enhance accessibility. The Bioland has a clear and intuitive layout, making it easy for users to find relevant information.

6.3. National information is continuously exchanged through the clearing-house mechanism network.

6.3.1. Strengthening coordination among national agencies. The country set up a multistakeholder group that comprises focal points from different relevant organisations. This  ensures easy information flow between different organisations  involved in the clearing-house mechanism and those that use the information.

6.3.2. Conducting regular stakeholder meetings. The Environmental Affairs Department coordinates periodic meetings where various stakeholders share updates, address issues, and align on national priorities for information exchange.

6.4. The country collaborates and shares knowledge through the clearing-house mechanism network.

6.4.1. Taking part in international collaboration and partnerships. The country works with other countries and local and international organisations to share best practices, technologies, and expertise in clearing-house mechanism management.

6.4.2. Participating in international conferences and forums. Malawi actively participates in international clearing-house mechanism-related forums, conferences, and workshops to foster collaboration, share insights, and gather knowledge from global experiences

7. Conclusion

Malawi acknowledges the importance of the national CHM for effective implementation of the NBSAP. The CHM helps to identify the data gaps, promotes and facilitates technical and scientific  cooperation, provides a mechanism for exchanging and integrating biodiversity information and develop a human and technological network, among others. It is important to have a clear and robust strategy to ensure that the CHM achieves its intended goal.  Therefore, partners and stakeholders are encouraged to provide the relevant information on to the CHM for the benefit of the environment and socio-economic development of the country.