SAMOA HIGHLIGHTS BIODIVERSITY AT COP15
Photo: SPREP
Leaders across the Pacific have shone light on biodiversity by creating conversations regarding its conservation and unique biodiversity. Samoa was amongst the many Pacific countries to
participate in the Global Biodiversity Framework (G.B.F)
Samoa Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE), Hon. Toeolesulusulu Cedric Shuster was amongst the many leaders who participated alongside Premier of Niue, Hon. Dalton Tagelagi, Palau Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment, Hon. Steven Victor, Vanuatu Minister of Climate Change, Hon. Ralph Regevanu, Ambassadors and Heads of Delegations who attended a Pacific Ministers Informal Roundtable Breakfast meeting at the Intercontinental Hotel in Montreal Canada, on Thursday last week.
Within discussion Samoa highlighted the significant puzzle pieces that were needed for the conservation of its biodiversity and the Pacific Island. According to Minister of M.N.R.E Toeolesulusulu Cedric Schuster, the continuation of this threat will need barriers set in the present day.
“We call for bold commitments from the global community to strengthen cooperation and elevate our actions to significantly reduce and reverse biodiversity loss. Without a doubt, we will continue to face
new challenges as events around the world present new threats to environmental well being, biological diversity and human livelihood,” Hon. Minister Toeolesulusulu said.
“Samoa as a member of our Pacific family is evermore convinced that it is only through joint work with other regions under the guidance of the Convention, can we achieve our common goal in shaping the future of biodiversity, people and planet.” he added.
The Director General of SPREP, Mr Sefanaia Nawadra, acknowledged the effort by the leaders and Ministers present in Montreal. He facilitated the roundtable discussion and reiterated the Pacific’s key priorities at COP15.
"The critical importance for the Pacific islands region to have an effective and coherent Global Biodiversity Framework that reflects the needs of Pacific islands nations and conserving their unique
biodiversity.Pacific islands face unique conditions in the effort to manage biodiversity and conservation, thanks in large part to our geographic situation, limited land, and vast ocean spaces.Pacific islands need investments in capacity to manage and monitor the status of biodiversity and of human actions influencing native biodiversity. Healthy ocean biodiversity is a Pacific islands national and regional priority and should also be a global priority" stated Mr Sefanaia Nawadra.
The conversations at COP15 elevated quickly on Wednesday when more than 60 nations from the global south walked out over concerns that pledges from rich countries to fund conservation were too small and too vague. The Ministers and delegates have four days to reach agreement before the conference ends today.
The 15th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15) is currently being held in Montreal, Canada from 7 to 19 December 2022.