1.This is a call from the 193 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to take effective and urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity.

2.Twenty years ago, the Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature at the Rio Conference on Environment and Development in recognition that the planet’s biological diversity, and the essential ecosystem services it provides, forms the basis of our health, our cultures, our wealth, and our well-being; its maintenance is central to the achievement of sustainable development. The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) provides an opportunity to reaffirm the commitment made to achieving the three objectives of the Convention: the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.

3.Over those twenty years, immense progress has been made, giving effect to the provisions of the Convention, including adoption and entry into force of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Understanding of the social, cultural and economic values of biodiversity has greatly improved in recent years. There is also growing recognition of its important role in achieving food-security; mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change; and in the prevention of, and resilience to, natural disasters and the impacts of land degradation. Mainstreaming the multiple values of biodiversity in national policies and measures, and in private sector decision-making, has already resulted in encouraging progress towards sustainable development and poverty eradication.

4.Despite this progress, biodiversity is in a precarious state and if we are to safeguard it as the fundamental basis for sustainable development and growth of present and future generations, effective and urgent action is required more than ever. To this end, in 2010, the 193 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted an ambitious Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, including twenty Aichi Biodiversity Targets and agreed on activities and initiatives to mobilize resources for the implementation of the Convention. They also adopted the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization; and Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety adopted the Nagoya - Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress. Implementing the Strategic Plan and meeting its Aichi Targets are essential prerequisites to conserve biodiversity and achieve sustainable development. For this purpose, mobilization of financial resources, from all sources, should increase substantially.

5.In view of the fact that the United Nations General Assembly declared 2011-2020 the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, we urge world leaders to ensure that biodiversity considerations are integrated in all the relevant outcomes of Rio+20 and future decision-making by governments and the private sector and to ensure that adequate and timely financial resources are mobilized. In so doing, they would help to build the foundations for a sustainable future, the future we want.