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UN summit sets stage for adoption of post-2020 biodiversity framework
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IANS | 15 Oct, 2021
With the participation of almost 2,918 delegates in Kunming and 2,478
connecting virtually, the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP-15) closed on
Friday, setting the stage for the adoption of an effective post-2020
global biodiversity framework at the resumption of the meeting in spring
2022.
The conference's two-day High-Level Segment, which opened
with the announcement by Chinese President Xi Jinping of the 1.5
billion-yuan (about $233 million) Kunming Biodiversity Fund, saw the
adoption of the Kunming Declaration, where parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD) committed to negotiate an effective post-2020
global biodiversity framework that can bend the curve of biodiversity
loss.
The landmark framework, due for adoption at the resumption
of the UN Biodiversity Conference in May 2022 following further formal
negotiations in January 2022, gives clear political direction for those
negotiations.
Important initiatives and commitments introduced
during the meeting included the announcement by the Global Environment
Facility, in partnership with the UN Development Programme and the UN
Environment Programme, that they will fast-track financial and technical
support to developing country governments to prepare for the rapid
implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
Moreover,
the European Union announced it is doubling external funding for
biodiversity, President Emmanuel Macron of France committed 30 per cent
of climate funds to be used for biodiversity, the UK government
announced that a significant part of its increased climate funding will
be directed towards biodiversity, the government of Japan announced a
$17 million extension to its Japan Biodiversity Fund, and a coalition of
financial institutions, with assets of 12 trillion euro, committed to
protect and restore biodiversity through its activities and investments.
Elizabeth
Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological
Diversity, said: "With the conclusion of the first part of COP-15, we
have taken a critical step towards writing a new chapter for our planet
and for our societies.
"The adoption of the Kunming Declaration,
and the strong political direction provided by many ministers has put us
firmly on the path to the adoption of an effective post-2020 global
biodiversity framework that will engage the entire world in the task of
putting nature on a path to recovery by 2030.
"Further, the
government of China's announcement of the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, and
the joint commitment by the GEF, UNEP and UNDP, among other
commitments, gives us confidence that the new framework will be rapidly
implemented."
The meeting also saw China assuming the role of
COP-15 Presidency, the adoption of an interim integrated budget for 2022
for the Convention, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya
Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing, and a progress report from the
co-chairs of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global
Biodiversity Framework.
Many non-state actors participated the meeting, ensuring good participation of a wide range of stakeholders.
Global
leaders participating in the conference included President Xi, Egypt
President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, French
President Macron, Costa Rica President Carlos Alvarado Quesada, Papua
New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape, The Prince of Wales, and UN
Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
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