The One Planet Summit for Biodiversity on 11/01/20 brought together heads of state and government as well as leaders of international organisations, financial institutions, the business sector, and NGOs to make commitments for concrete action to preserve and restore biodiversity, to make strong new announcements, and to launch transformational initiatives for nature.
An initiative of the President of France, OPS's ambition will be to mobilise political will in the international discourse leading up to COP15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and help foster conditions for agreement on an ambitious post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. It is intended to be an opportunity to raise the level of ambition of the international community on the protection of nature, while responding to the new questions raised by the current global health crisis.
Reversing the trend of biodiversity loss is a major challenge for the coming decade. It is a social and economic challenge that requires a profound transformation of value chains, business models, and patterns of human behaviour and consumption. This challenge requires concerted action across sectors of society at all levels (international, national, local).
Minister Noonan’s attendance at the event is another positive demonstration of Ireland’s commitment to nature and biodiversity. The Minister said, 'I am pleased to be in a position that allows me to take part in such initiatives by our new nearest EU neighbour, France. The summit was a great opportunity to gather, if only virtually, with other policy makers and decision makers as we continue to prepare for the next Conference of the Parties to the CBD. Events such as the OPS help maintain the momentum for an ambitious and transformative agreement to be reached at the COP and bolster global efforts to reverse the trend of biodiversity loss.'
The Minister added, “The current health crisis posed by COVID-19 has challenged the scope and ability of countries to act collectively for nature and biodiversity. It has also, however, led to a re-evaluation of humanity’s relationship with nature, particularly in the context of how future zoonotic pandemics can be avoided. Facing up to and addressing the damaging loss of biodiversity is vital if we are to do this. These challenges need to be part of our discussions in the development of a durable and effective post-2020 Global Framework for Biodiversity.'
The OPS also saw the launch of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (HAC). This coalition, chaired jointly by France and Costa Rica, aims to further mobilise international political will for an ambitious and transformative agreement at the CBD COP15.
Ireland’s participation in the HAC will be confirmed at the OPS and the Minister noted that he was 'delighted to announce that Ireland will be the latest participant in the High Ambition Coalition. The HAC brings together 50 diverse countries as well as the EU, in support of nature and biodiversity and to promote future efforts to create momentum towards the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.'
OPS website: https://www.oneplanetsummit.fr/en
