Prakash Javadekar, Minister of State Environment, Forests & Climate Change, and President of the Eleventh Conference of Parties (CoP-11) to the Convention on Biological persity (CBD), addressed CBD’s Fifth Meeting of the Working Group on Review Of Implementation (WGRI-5) held in Montreal, Canada from 16-20 June 2014, through a video message highlighting key issues related to biopersity conservation. In his address, the Minister urged the parties to decide on final targets for resource mobilisation for implementation of the Strategic Plan, as delaying action would not only limit our choices for cost-effective action, but also jeopardise the ability of ecosystems to continually provide vital services.
In his address, Shri Javadekar also highlighted the importance of addressing poverty reduction as a cross-cutting issue of the Strategic Plan. He expressed confidence that these initiatives would help to harness long-term benefits by investing in biopersity conservation. The meeting assumes significance in the context of preparing for the mid-term review of implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biopersity 2011-2020, and its 20 Aichi targets. The ten-year framework for action by all countries and stakeholders to save biopersity and enhance its benefits for people, had been welcomed by the United Nations General Assembly, as an overarching global framework to conserve and sustainable use of biopersity. Its importance has also been reaffirmed in the Rio+20 outcomes.
Further, realising that the mission of the Strategic Plan was central to achieving sustainable development, the United Nations General Assembly had encouraged Parties to consider it in the elaboration of the post-2015 UN development agenda. The review came just before the midpoint of the UN Decade on Biopersity, and presented an opportunity to redirect efforts to achieve the Aichi Biopersity Targets. WGRI-5 looked at progress made by Parties to implement the Strategic Plan for Biopersity 2011-2020. Delegations also discussed technical and scientific cooperation under the Convention, the role of local and sub-national governments, and efforts to effectively engage stakeholders including the private sector. The meeting considered the mobilization of resources in support of the Strategic Plan for Biopersity 2011-2020. Further, delegations also looked at the relationship between biopersity and sustainable development and poverty eradication, including the linkages between biopersity and the ongoing discussions in the United Nations General Assembly on Sustainable Development Goals.
The Indian delegation led by Shri Hem Pande, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change and India’s National Focal point to the CBD, participated at WGRI-5 meeting. Shri Pande also chaired this meeting as representative of CoP President. Having successfully hosted the CoP-11 to the CBD in Hyderabad in October 2012, India is currently the President of CoP, till the next CoP to be held in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea.