Negotiations begin on new targets for halting biodiversity loss – revised objectives under preparation for 2030, 2040 and 2050
Negotiations for the new global biodiversity framework and associated targets began on 27-30 August in Nairobi, Kenya. The framework will include long and short-term measures to promote biodiversity.
The European Union successfully promoted a decision under the Finnish Presidency, whereby the Open-ended Working Group preparing the targets will begin to draw up objectives for biodiversity and measurable targets for 2030, 2040 and 2050. Acting in the capacity of EU President, Finland co-ordinates the positions taken by the EU at the conference and is negotiating on behalf of the EU. More than 500 representatives from 120 countries attended the conference.
“It is gratifying to see the preparation of strong biodiversity conservation targets that can be monitored in practice. Our need for urgent action to resolve the biodiversity crisis has clearly been recognised around the globe,” explains Special Ministerial Adviser Marina von Weissenberg, who chaired the Finnish Delegation to the conference.
“Halting biodiversity loss is vital. The present Finnish Government has elevated safeguarding biodiversity to the forefront of its work,” says Krista Mikkonen, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.
The preparations will harmonise the new framework with other major environmental agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN.
The countries of the world are due to agree to the biodiversity targets now under preparation at the October 2020 UN Biodiversity Conference in China.
The next meeting of the Open-ended Working Group preparing the targets will be arranged in Kunming, China on 24-28 February 2020.
UN Convention on Biological Diversity
A decision on preparation of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity was taken in 2018 at the 14th meeting of the parties to the Convention in Egypt. An Open-ended Working Group was established to prepare the framework and associated biodiversity targets, involving all of the parties to the CBD together with NGOs, businesses and scientists working in the field.
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the principal instrument protecting global biodiversity. It has been ratified by 196 parties, including the European Union and all of its Member States. The CBD took effect in 1993.
Inquiries:
Marina von Weissenberg, Special Ministerial Adviser, [email protected], tel. +358 295 250 321
Antti Heikkinen, Special Adviser to the Minister, [email protected], tel. +358 503 481 406