The UN Biodiversity Summit in Colombia commenced with urgent calls for action and funding to combat biodiversity loss, highlighting that nearly one million species are at risk of extinction. Led by Environment Minister Susana Muhamad, the conference gathers delegates from around 200 countries to address biodiversity targets set two years ago. The aim is to protect 30 percent of land and marine areas by 2030, but current efforts are insufficient. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for converting commitments into action, as significant funding disparities persist.
The UN Biodiversity Summit opened in Cali, Colombia, with urgent calls for action and funding to address the rapid decline of global biodiversity. Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad, who also presides over COP16, emphasized that immediate action is essential, stating, “The planet doesn’t have time to lose”. She highlighted that nearly one million species worldwide are at risk of extinction and acknowledged that funding for biodiversity efforts remains inadequate. With 23,000 delegates present, including government ministers and heads of state from approximately 200 nations, the conference aims to ensure the achievement of 23 targets established two years ago, which focus on reversing nature loss by 2030. Delegates face the significant challenge of protecting 30 percent of land and marine areas by 2030, yet only 8.4 percent of the global ocean has been designated as a Marine Protected Area. Greenpeace’s policy advisor, Megan Randles, lamented, “At the current rate, we won’t hit 30 percent protection… until the next century.” The conference commenced under tight security due to threats from the EMC guerrilla group, which has previously disturbed such gatherings. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged nations to “convert words into action” regarding biodiversity commitments, noting that only $250 million has been pledged to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, which is aimed at mobilizing substantial financial resources for biodiversity by 2030. The summit aims to address the loss of biodiversity that threatens essential natural processes and the global economy, projecting potential losses in the trillions of dollars. With more than 25 percent of assessed species threatened with extinction, this summit embodies a crucial opportunity for global leaders to establish effective strategies for biodiversity conservation and sustainable benefit-sharing of genetic resources derived from nature, particularly with communities in developing countries. Host Colombia, rich in biodiversity, seeks to prioritize environmental protection amidst ongoing challenges from historical armed conflicts that have plagued the nation.
The UN Biodiversity Summit, held in Colombia, is a critical platform aimed at addressing the significant threat to global biodiversity. Given that a substantial portion of biodiversity is currently at risk, the conference brings together representatives from nearly 200 countries to discuss the necessary actions and financial commitments required to curb this crisis. The urgency of the situation is emphasized by various studies indicating the alarming rate of species extinction and the minimal progress made towards established biodiversity protection goals. This meeting seeks to establish mechanisms for achieving the goals set forth in previous conferences and to mobilize the necessary funds to support biodiversity initiatives worldwide. The presence of high-level delegates underscores the importance of collective action and the roles different nations must play in preserving the planet’s biological heritage.
The opening of the UN Biodiversity Summit in Colombia has highlighted the pressing need for immediate actions and funding to tackle biodiversity loss on a global scale. With a vast number of species at risk of extinction and minimal progress made toward protection goals, leaders are called upon to convert commitments into tangible actions. The summit provides a crucial opportunity for nations to forge agreements that will enhance biodiversity conservation efforts and ensure that benefits derived from natural resources are shared equitably, particularly with vulnerable communities. Ultimately, the outcomes of this summit will be pivotal in shaping the future of global biodiversity and the welfare of our planet.
Original Source: www.seychellesnewsagency.com
