Highlights from Minister Huang Runqiu,
President of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15) chaired by the People's Republic of China
1 January 2025
Ecological Civilization: Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth
--Report on China's CBD Presidency of COP15
Conclusion
COP15 adopted the aspiring and pragmatic KMGBF, inspiring all countries and parties to work together to halt and reverse global biodiversity loss. However, it remains a challenge for all countries to realize this goal. As the Presidency of COP15, China will continue to take KMGBF Action Initiative as a starting point to build global synergies for biodiversity conservation and promote the full implementation of the KMGBF together with other international processes and initiatives. In doing so, it is expected to achieve the goals set out in the KMGBF, namely to reverse the loss of global biodiversity by 2030 and to ensure that humanity lives in harmony with nature by 2050. Other parties and international organizations are welcome to join KMGBF Action Initiative .
At the same time, China will continue to use the Kunming Biodiversity Fund as a vehicle to support biodiversity conservation work in developing countries, and will continue to promote the successful implementation of the KMGBF at the local, regional and national levels with the participation of the whole society. It will also work with and complement the existing financial mechanisms of the CBD, such as the Global Environment Facility and the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund. In the future, China will work closely with the CBD Secretariat and other UN organizations to promote the international operation of the Fund under UN rules. More countries and stakeholders are welcome to contribute to the Kunming Biodiversity Fund to support and enhance the capacity of developing countries and take global biodiversity governance to a new level.
Climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation and intensifying desertification pose serious challenges to human survival and development. The COPs to the three Rio Conventions had achieved a number of milestones, such as the target of zero net land degradation, the Paris Agreement and the
KMGBF, which provided opportunities and platforms for supporting the global response to land, climate and biodiversity issues. China will continue to implement those practices in a comprehensive and effective manner, promote the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and work to build a community of life for people and nature.
Read the full report:
COP 15 Presidency Report (English)
1 March 2024
Huang Runqiu, President of COP 15 and Minister of Ecology and Environment actively promoting KMGBF implementation in UNEA-6
Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, attended a series of bilateral and multilateral events in the margins of the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in Nairobi, Kenya from 26 February to 1 March in a bid to actively promote the implementation of the “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” (hereinafter referred to as the KMGBF) and global process of biodiversity conservation.
At the opening of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) Day on 28 February, Huang Runqiu noted that global environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution are interrelated and intertwined and must be addressed through an integrated, synergistic and holistic approach. MEAs and synergies among them are not only significant ways to promote global environmental governance but also powerful measures to tackle global environmental challenges. He called on all parties to deepen synergies and cooperation among MEAs, strengthen the integration of MEAs with the Sustainable Development Goals, broaden the engagement of stakeholders in MEAs, and make concerted efforts to jointly tackle global environmental challenges.
On 26 February, China as COP 15 Presidency, in partnership with UNEP and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD), held an international symposium on the Action Initiative for the KMGBF (the Action Initiative). Huang Runqiu presided over the meeting and introduced China's progress in launching the Action Initiative, as well as China’s concrete efforts in implementing the KMGBF. He called on all parties to work collectively to promote the comprehensive and effective implementation of the KMGBF and advance global biodiversity conservation actions in an effective, inclusive and sustainable manner. More than 150 people attended the side event, including Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP; David Cooper, Acting Executive Secretary of SCBD; and Maria Susana Muhammad Gonzalez, the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, the incoming Presidency of COP 16. Other co-sponsors and partners of the Action Initiative, as well as key Parties of COP, Ministers, high-level officials, and stakeholders also attended the event.
On 29 February, Huang Runqiu attended the side event MEAs Cooperation and the KMGBF. He stressed that MEAs play an important role in promoting the joint formulation and implementation of environmental protection policies by Parties and effectively strengthening biodiversity conservation. It is necessary to strengthen coordination among MEAs and carry out more pragmatic cooperation through mechanisms such as the Action Initiative for the KMGBF so as to jointly build a shared future for all life on earth.
In the Leadership Dialogue on 1 March, Huang Runqiu stated that environmental multilateralism presents a commendable approach to tackling global environmental challenges such as biodiversity loss. The international community should practice true environmental multilateralism by focusing on actions, promoting the introduction of policies, financial and technological resources, the implementation of action strengthening the synergy of MEAs, and emphasizing on solidarity and practical cooperation to promote the steady and long-term implementation of global MEAs.
Huang Runqiu also engaged in bilateral talks with David Cooper, Maria Susana Muhammad Gonzalez, and Mukhtar Mabayev, who serves as UNFCCC COP 29 President and Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, to exchange views on strengthening the synergies among the Conventions and advancing the global process of biodiversity conservation.
Source in original language: https://www.mee.gov.cn/ywdt/hjywnews/202403/t20240302_1067451.shtml
COP15主席、生态环境部部长黄润秋在第六届联合国环境大会期间积极推动“昆明-蒙特利尔全球生物多样性框架”落实
9 December 2023
COP15 President HUANG Runqiu Announces Taking the Lead to Launch the Action Initiative for Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
On December 9, 2023, during the "Nature Day" of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (hereinafter referred to as the Convention) (COP28), Minister HUANG Runqiu of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, President of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), officially announced the launch of the Action Initiative for Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
HUANG Runqiu stated that, to further consolidate the political will of all parties to implement the KMGBF, China officially took the lead in launching the Action Initiative for KMGBF, and is willing to work with the international community to jointly address global challenges such as biodiversity loss and climate change, jointly promote the success of COP28, and jointly build a home in the planet featuring harmony between humanity and nature.
The Action Initiative for KMGBF aims to create a platform for voluntary participation for all parties and stakeholders, reflecting the political willingness, to comprehensively implement the KMGBF. China, as the COP15 presidency, jointly launched the Action Initiative for KMGBF together with Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Germany, the Maldives, as well as international organizations such as the United Nations Environment Programme and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Currently, partners such as the United Nations Development Programme, Climate Bonds Initiative, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, World Economic Forum, and World Wide Fund for Nature have joined the initiative.
Parties and stakeholders are welcomed to join the Action Initiative for KMGBF!
Please contact chen.haijun@mee.gov.cn for specific matters regarding joining.
Click here to read the full press release
Annex:
Concept Note of the Action Initiative for Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
20 October 2022
COP 15 President met with Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada
On October 20, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity and Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, met with Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada by video, to exchange views on the preparation of the second part of COP 15 and the post-2020 global biodiversity framework).
Huang Runqiu thanked Canada for its strong support to the Chinese COP 15 Presidency and appreciated its contribution to the preparation of the meetings. He hoped that both sides will continue to work together to uphold the principle of fairness, transparency, inclusiveness and party-driven, promote consensus among all parties, and ensure the negotiations on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework deliver, so as to make the second part of COP 15 as successful as the first part of the meeting and a landmark conference in the global biodiversity governance process.
13 OCTOBER 2022
COP 15 President chairs COP 15 Bureau meeting
On October 13, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, chaired the COP Bureau meeting by video. The Bureau discussed preparations of the second part of COP 15 and the fifth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (WG2020-5) .
David Cooper, Deputy Executive Secretary of CBD, representatives of Environment and Climate Change Canada, members of the COP 15 Bureau, Co-chairs of WG2020, Chair of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI), and Chair of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) participated in the meeting.
Huang Runqiu commended the work of the Informal Group on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, as well as the progress made in the preparatory work and the proposed organization of work for the second part of COP15 and WG2020-5. He emphasized the need to optimize the arrangement of these meetings for the conclusion of the Framework and the important role of the High-Level Segment in facilitating negotiation. All parties are called upon to maintain the political momentum, and create opportunities for multilevel and all-round coordination to build consensus on the GBF to ensure the success of the second part of COP15.
12 September 2022
COP 15 President Meets with European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries
On September 12, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, had a video meeting with Virginijus Sinkevičius, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. The two sides had in-depth exchanges on the second part of COP 15 and key issues related to the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) .
Huang Runqiu thanked the EU for supporting the Chinese Presidency in making advancements for the preparations of the second part of COP 15 and the GBF negotiations. He gave an update on the preparations and plans and was happy to hear EU’s views and positions on relevant topics. He expressed the hope that EU could continue to display its influence in the field of biodiversity conservation, work with China and all Parties for the achievement of an ambitious, balanced and practical GBF, and contribute solutions to global biodiversity conservation.
30 August 2022
COP 15 President meets with Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity
On August 30, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, had a video meeting with Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The two sides had in-depth exchanges on the issues of preparation for the second part of COP 15, the High-Level Segment and consultations on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF).
Huang Runqiu expressed thanks to the Executive Secretary and the Secretariat for their strong support and preparatory work for the second part of COP 15. It was stressed that China would continue to play the role of the Presidency, work closely with the Secretariat, the Bureau and other Parties, and strive to reach an ambitious, balanced and practical GBF, to make COP 15 a milestone conference.
30 August 2022
China organizes a meeting of exchanges on CBD COP 15 important issues
On August 30, in the margin of the 2022 G20 Ministerial Joint Conference on Environment and Climate held in Bali, Indonesia, China and Indonesia co-hosted a meeting of exchanges and consultations on important issues and policies for the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15). Zhao Yingmin, representative of the presidency of COP 15, and vice minister of China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, attended and addressed the meeting.
China calls on all parties concerned to fully show flexibility, continue the momentum of the first part of COP 15 and fulfill the commitments of the Kunming Declaration, preparing for the second part of COP 15 and the adoption of an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
Ministerial representatives present at the ministerial joint conference of the Group of Twenty (G20), and heads of related international organizations attended the exchange meeting and delivered speeches.
29 August 2022
COP 15 President chairs COP 15 Bureau meeting
On August 29, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention of Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of Ecology and Environment, chaired the Bureau Meeting by video. In the meeting, they discussed the second part of COP 15, the High-Level Segment, the preparation of supporting activities and the inter-sessional process.
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, attended and addressed the meeting. Tara Shannon, Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada, members of the COP Bureau and relevant personnel of the Secretariat, Co-Chairs of the Open-Ended Working Group (WG2020), on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF), Chair of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) and Chair of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) attended the meeting.
Huang Runqiu acknowledged the hard work and progress preparing for COP 15 and stressed that the second part of the COP should focus on GBF-related issues.. Moreover, he called on all parties to fully coordinate and communicate in the limited time left leading up to COP, laying a solid foundation for its successful negotions and the adoption of the GBF.
23 August 2022
COP 15 President meets with Minister of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia
On August 23, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, met with Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Minister of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia on line. Huang Runqiu reviewed the important achievements of the first part of COP15, and introduced the preparations for the second part of COP15 and the progress of the consultation on the “post-2020 global biodiversity framework(GBF)”.
Huang Runqiu stressed the commitment of China as COP15 Presidency to continue its leading role in all preparations of COP15 and consultations on GBF in a multi-level and all-round manner, and highlighted its willingess to work together with Indonesia, the Presidency of G20, and other Parties to guarantee the achievement of an ambitious, balanced and practical GBF and the success of the second part of COP15.
16 August 2022
COP 15 President meets with Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada
On August 16, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, met with Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada on line. The two Ministers had in-depth exchanges on topics such as preparations for the second part of COP15 to be held in Montreal, Canada, and consultations on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
13 July 2022
COP 15 President attends HLPF 2022 to promote Biodiversity Conservation
Minister Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, met with Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General; Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; Mr. Collen Vixen Kelapile, President of the Economic and Social Council; Ms. Leila Benali, President of the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly; Mr. Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, and ministerial representatives from Austria, Pakistan, South Africa, Colombia, India and other countries during his stay on invitation in attending the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) from July 13th to 15th.
All stakeholders exchanged views on promoting the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and strengthening cooperation in promoting the Global Development Initiative. In-depth communications were carried out on safeguarding a successful second part of COP15 and adoption of “Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)” to contribute to the global biodiversity conservation.
The first part of COP 15 was successfully held in Kunming, China, in October 2021. The meeting adopted the Kunming Declaration, which injected a strong political impetus into global biodiversity governance. The second part of COP 15 will discuss the formulation of new goals and tasks for global biodiversity governance.
Huang stressed that the period from now to the second part of COP 15 is a critical period for continuing consultations and promoting consensus on the GBF. As COP 15 President, China will continue to lead and facilitate, and work with all parties to strengthen multi-level and all-round coordination, listen to opinions extensively, drive consensus, strive to reach an ambitious, balanced, and practical GBF, with a view to jointly advancing the global biodiversity governance.
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