Secretary-General, Hailing Mexico on Signing Nagoya Protocol to Biodiversity

Convention, Urges Similar Action by Other States Parties

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s statement, delivered by Stephen Mathias, Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, on the occasion of the signature of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing by the Government of Mexico, in New York, today, 24 February:

The adoption of the Nagoya Protocol at last year’s Tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity was a major success for the international community.  The Protocol will help promote one of the Convention’s main objectives:  the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

The leadership of the Government of Japan and the dedication of the parties to the Convention have demonstrated the value of multilateral cooperation in addressing the accelerating global decline in biodiversity.

The Protocol was opened for signature earlier this month.  I congratulate the Government of Mexico for its contributions throughout the negotiations, and I welcome the country’s commitment to be among the Protocol’s first signatories.

I call on all States to sign and ratify the Nagoya Protocol at the earliest possible date.  This will expedite the early entry into force of this important legal instrument, which has great potential to advance our common efforts to promote sustainable development, achieve the Millennium Development Goals and enable all people to enjoy the full benefits of nature’s services, today and in the future.

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For information media • not an official record