[submitted by ICLEI]
2020 has been heralded as the ‘super year’ for nature culminating with the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), where the CBD Parties will adopt a new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). CBD COP 15 has been likened to a ‘Paris moment for biodiversity.’ ICLEI, with support from partners, is coordinating the voice of the local and subnational government constituency on the Roadmap to COP 15, where our consolidated position will call for a dedicated decision on the critical role of cities and regions in implementing the Post-2020 GBF. The timeline below illustrates key moments for the local and subnational government constituency on the journey towards COP 15.
As focal point to the UN CBD, on behalf of the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, ICLEI works with key partners such as the Secretariat to the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD), the Group of Leading Subnational Governments Toward Aichi Biodiversity Targets (GoLS), the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) and Regions4 Sustainable Development to advance its global advocacy agenda. View our dedicated advocacy website.
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The Second Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group (OEWG 2) on the zero draft of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) took place from 24 to 29 February 2020 at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The OEWG 2 meeting completed the first round of negotiations on the zero draft. Representatives from ICLEI and key partners represented the local and subnational government constituency. Throughout the meeting, the group made three interventions calling for transformative change and full participation by local and subnational governments in implementing the new Framework:
- Statement read by Ms Ingrid Coetzee from ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, at the Opening Plenary
- Statement read by Mr Jean Lemire from Quebec’s Envoy for Climate Change and Nordic and Arctic Issues, and representative of the AC SNG at the Item 4 GBF plenary
- Statement read by Ms Hiroko Mizuno, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, at the Closing Plenary
Several CBD parties, including the EU, UK, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, and Argentina and others, recognized the importance of, and called for enabling conditions for, and engagement of all levels of government in the implementation of the new framework.
Basile van Havre, OEWG Co-Chair said our journey down the road to COP 15 has started with “all stakeholders demonstrating their commitment to building a future of life in harmony with nature.”
Join us and register now for our Post-2020 monthly webinar series which keeps the local and subnational government constituency, networks and partners up to date on key milestones, our emerging position statement and the participatory preparation process of developing the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework on the Roadmap to COP 15. The next webinar in the series is scheduled to take place on 26 March 2020. Register to join at either 10:00 CAT and 15:00 CAT.
Click here to see past webinars in the series.
Join CitiesWithNature
CitiesWithNature is a global partnership initiative that provides a shared platform to connect, learn, act, share and inspire action on mainstreaming nature in and around urban areas. The SCBD has endorsed CitiesWithNature as the platform for local and subnational governments to make ambitious commitments to implementation of the Post 2020 GBF. In the lead up to COP 15, we are calling on all cities, large and small, to register and take action now, as we mobilize our constituency to shape and influence the Post-2020 GBF and.
Register today to join the journey.
