On the International Day for Biological Diversity, let us reaffirm our commitment to protect, restore and sustainably use terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and their biodiversity, for sustainable development.
Biodiversity links across almost all the Sustainable Development Goals. It underpins every aspect of our wellbeing, economies and livelihoods. It not only provides us with clean water and air, nutritious food and medicine. It also plays a critical role in climate change mitigation and combating desertification.
Yet, in recent years, biological diversity has been declining at an alarming rate. Over one million plant and animal species are now threatened with extinction.
It is time to rethink our relationship with nature, and to halt and reverse, biodiversity loss.
The United Nations has recently endorsed a common approach to mainstreaming biodiversity and nature-based solutions for sustainable development. This will help restore ecosystems and support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UN DESA, has integrated biodiversity into our work in supporting Member States and promoting global actions in interrelated areas. Looking ahead, we will play our part in supporting implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework – to be adopted at the upcoming CBD COP15 in Kunming, China.
As noted by the UN Secretary-General, making peace with nature is the defining task of the 21st century.
Let us amplify our efforts to make the 2050 Vision of “Living in Harmony with Nature”, a reality.
I thank you.