A high-level event on biodiversity expected to announce several significant actions towards delivering the landmark ‘30×30’ goal and progress on delivering nature finance commitments made as part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, is being held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly on September 24th.
This unique event – convened by the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People Secretariat as well as the governments of Bhutan, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, European Union, France, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Norway, Peru, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, United Kingdom, United States of America, and in partnership with the Global Ocean Alliance, the Leaders Pledge for Nature, Alliance Biodiversity International – CIAT, Blue Nature Alliance, Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Campaign for Nature, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, The Kunming Action Initiative, Pew Charitable Trusts, the Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), UN Development Program (UNDP), UNEP-WCMC, Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), World Wild Fund for Nature (WWF) and the Wyss Foundation – will welcome Heads of State, Heads of Government, Ministers, CEOs, Indigenous Peoples and Multi-lateral Leaders to share progress on critical action to halt and reverse nature loss.
Specifically, the focus will be on resource mobilization from all sources, including the imminent deadline to deliver at least $20bn a year in nature finance to developing countries by 2025, repurposing current harmful incentives such as subsidies, conserving and protecting at least 30% of the planet’s land and 30% of the planet’s ocean by 2030, and specifically what action is needed to ensure deadlines are met and commitments kept ahead of the CBD COP16 set to take place in Cali, Colombia this October.
The event will take place in two parts. The first will be a closed-door high-level roundtable inviting ministers and high-level representatives to discuss financial efforts that have been made to implement the KM-GBF and aims to spark more commitments from additional countries and partners. The second will be a High-Level evening reception providing space for Heads of State and Government, as well as IP&LC representatives, and other high-level representatives, to share ambitious finance announcements as well as progress on 30×30 and other targets of the KM-GBF. The reception will conclude with a short fireside chat to highlight both the challenges and progress on the KM-GBF, especially the 30×30 goal.
Without urgent and continued momentum on both financing and implementation on the ground, we run the risk of falling short on commitments made at COP15 under the K-M GBF. By giving those leading on progress a platform to share their successes, this event will act as a clarion call to all governments that the time to act is now.
Leaders expected to speak at the evening event (full list to be confirmed):
H.E. Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Conservation International Distinguished Fellow
H.E. Mr. Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of Timor Leste
H.E. Mr. Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan
Hon. David Lammy, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the United Kingdom
H.E. Mr. Alan Lisperguer, Minister of Environment of Bolivia
Dr. Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International
Mr. Robb Menzi, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of WCS
Ms. Rita El Zaghloul, Director of the HAC for Nature & People
