India Reaffirms Biodiversity Commitment at CBD COP-17 in Armenia
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav highlights India's dedication to biodiversity conservation at the 17th Conference of the Parties.
India emphasizes alignment of biodiversity frameworks with national priorities.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework aims to halt biodiversity loss by 2030.
India leads various initiatives for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.
In a significant address at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP-17) held in Yerevan, Armenia, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, reiterated India's strong commitment to biodiversity conservation. He presented India's National Statement during the high-level segment, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to coexist harmoniously with nature.
Yadav highlighted the importance of implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which was adopted on December 19, 2022, during COP15 in Montreal, Canada. He stressed that this implementation should be in line with national priorities and supported by consistent financing, capacity building, and technology transfer from developed nations. The framework's goal is to urgently address biodiversity loss and ensure a sustainable future by 2030, although it is non-legally binding.
The Minister also discussed India's support for equitable sharing of benefits derived from digital sequence information on genetic resources through a multilateral mechanism, including the Cali Fund. He advocated for a science-based approach to synthetic biology and biosafety, underscoring the need for precautionary measures in this evolving field. Yadav pointed out that India's updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan translates the global framework into 23 national targets and 142 indicators.
India's achievements in biodiversity conservation were also highlighted, with Yadav noting the existence of 1,134 protected areas, 103 Ramsar sites, 57 biodiversity heritage sites, and 18 biosphere reserves, including 13 recognized by UNESCO. Furthermore, he mentioned India's leadership in the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), which fosters global cooperation for the conservation of seven major big cat species and their habitats. Initiatives such as 'LiFE' and 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' were presented as efforts to promote environmental stewardship and collective societal responsibility for biodiversity.
Looking ahead, Yadav reaffirmed India's commitment to multilateral cooperation, stating that the country will continue to work with all parties to advance the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, embodying the spirit of "One Earth, One Family, One Future."
