COP 15: UN biodiversity conference in China issues ‘powerful signal of determination’ to tackle problem
- Adoption of Kunming Declaration is seen as important stepping stone to establishing binding framework next year
- China also pledges US$232 million fund to support biodiversity protection in developing countries
The Kunming Declaration is not legally binding but its announcement by Chinese environment minister Huang Runqiu is seen as an important way of generating momentum for the second phase of the conference in April and May next year, where it is hoped participants will agree the framework.
“The declaration will send a powerful signal, showing the world our determination to solve the problem of biodiversity loss, and our stronger actions on the issues discussed at this high-level meeting,” Huang told the conference.
01:22
Over 200,000 endangered fish released into China’s Yangtze River to restore biodiversity
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, executive secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said in a statement that the adoption of the Kunming Declaration is a clear indication of the worldwide support for the level of ambition needed next spring.
She also congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping for his pledge to donate 1.5 billion yuan (US$232 million) to set up the Kunming Biodiversity Fund to support biodiversity protection in developing countries, saying she “looked forward to more financial and technical commitments in support of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and its implementation”.
Also on Tuesday, Japanese environment minister Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi said the Japanese government would extend US$17 million to developing countries for the protection of biodiversity.
The declaration highlights key aspects of a successful post-2020 global biodiversity framework, including making biodiversity a part of all policymaking and the phasing out of harmful subsidies.