Convention on Biological Diversity begins their 13th annual meeting in Cancun

Record ID: 75806

  • Title: Convention on Biological Diversity begins their 13th annual meeting in Cancun
  • Date: 5th December 2016
  • Summary: CANCUN, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO (RECENT - DECEMBER 2, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BEACH ON CANCUN EXTERIOR CONVENTION VENUE VARIOUS OF VENUE INTERIOR CONVENTION ATTENDEES SITTING / TALKING
  • Embargoed: 20th December 2016 21:38
  • Keywords: Biological diversity Mexico Cancun Pena Nieto
  • Location: CANCUN, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO
  • City: CANCUN, QUINTANA ROO, MEXICO
  • Country: Mexico
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015BLZ4UF
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Aiming to raise public awareness about the importance of biodiversity, the 13th annual U.N. Biodiversity Conference kicked off in Cancun, Mexico over the weekend.
    The conference represents an international treaty for the conservation of biodiversity. This year's theme proposed by Mexico is "Integrating Biodiversity for Welfare."
    Mexico's actions in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity will be used as an example of good practices. The Latin American country is part of the select group of nations with the greatest number and diversity of animals and plants. Twelve countries, including Mexico, hold 70 percent of the world's species.
    During the meeting, member countries from around the world, will seek to address all threats to biodiversity and the ecosystem, including threats from climate change.
    The development of tools, incentives and processes, will be analysed during the conference, as well as the interaction with indigenous and local communities, youth, NGOs, women and the business community.
    The conference's objective is to contribute to consolidating the effectiveness and impact of the conference through the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols.
    Cartagena's Protocol, which came into effect on 11 September 2003, seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks from living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.
    Nagoya's Protocol, aims at sharing the benefits from the use of genetic resources in a fair way. It entered into force on 12 October 2014.
    Mexican President, Enrique Pena Nieto, was there at the start of the conference.
    "The only way of guaranteeing a cleaner and safer present and future for all is through a true sustainable development. This is the challenge for the countries taking part in this United Nations conference about biodiversity. I hope the work carried out here are successful," Pena Nieto said.
    The U.N. Environment Program (Unep) Deputy Executive Director Ibrahim Thiaw said it was important to save disappearing species.
    "Overall, we are losing the battle. Species are disappearing at a horrific rate. We have lost them. We have lost many, too many. Forever."
    Thiaw said the convention would seek to work on a clear plan that will deliver results.
    "(...) will not work for this conference of the parties. And make no mistake again. That is what simply tweaking the current targets into new ones would be. There has to be some serious soul searching on how we re-organise ourselves and them come back together with a clear, simple plan of action that we can actually deliver," he added.
    Some 5,000 to 10,000 people from international organisations, academics and leaders of NGOs, youth, indigenous groups, from 140 countries around the world are expected to take part in the conference.
    Various forums and pavilions will be held during the conference, ending on December 17.
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