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Highlights from the Ministerial on Nature at the GEF Seventh Assembly
On 23 August 2023, H. Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Canada, convened the Ministerial on Nature, a high-level political platform where governments took stock of the successes, challenges, and opportunities to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Ministers shared views on achieving ambitious biodiversity outcomes leading up to the next Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
This GEF Assembly, and this Ministerial on Nature, provided an opportune time to exchange experiences and provide the further momentum needed to get on track to achieve the goals and targets of the Framework.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is about biodiversity, but to address the drivers of biodiversity loss, we need to adopt a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach. We need environment ministers to engage their colleagues in cabinets and we need the leadership of heads of state and government to ensure coherent action.
The strong support and speedy action taken by the GEF to move ahead with the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund is much appreciated. This GEF Assembly will ratify the decision of the GEF Council to establish the fund. And we look forward to hearing announcements of contributions to the new fund to allow its early operationalization well ahead of COP 16.
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"By harnessing our collective knowledge and expertise to enhance our national strategies, literacy, and action plans, we have reaffirmed our shared commitment to update these strategies and plans as we move toward COP16." -- H. Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Canada |
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H. Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Canada; and David Cooper, Acting Executive Secretary, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Ministers and representatives from around the world, representing Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas
Participants shared practical experiences on the implementation of the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework, including mobilizing resources from all sources through engagement of industry, the finance sector, philanthropy, and other key actors.
Ministers agreed to form a Nature Champions Network for the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The international Ministerial on Nature conference was held on the traditional territories of the Chi'yakmesh people of Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation in the heart of the newly designated Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region.
More information:
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework