Talks to evaluate progress in halting the loss of nature will take place 8-19 October in Hyderabad, India at the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP11). Governments meeting in Hyderabad will discuss progress towards the implementation of decisions taken at the Nagoya Biodiversity Summit in 2010, including the 2020 Aichi Targets to save and restore nature. IUCN urges governments to turn their commitments into action and invest in nature to achieve broader development goals, such as food security and stable economies.
Photo: Kewalo Basin Marine Mammal Laboratory & The Dolphin Institute
Key Issues:
We must keep the momentum going
“In Nagoya, we agreed the Big Plan with ambitious yet realistic targets to save our planet’s biodiversity,” says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN Director General. “We need to keep the momentum going. Biodiversity loss continues and has breached safe planetary boundaries. It’s time for a serious check-up on progress we’ve made to turn the Big Plan into Big Action.”
From Rio through Jeju to Hyderabad: Investing in nature pays
“Nature’s role in tackling today’s social and economic issues took centre stage at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in September in Jeju, Korea and at the Rio+20 summit in June,” says Jane Smart, Global Director of IUCN’s Biodiversity Conservation Group. “Healthy forests, rivers and oceans bring solutions to some of today’s greatest challenges, including climate change, food security, poverty and access to water and energy. Investing in this ‘natural infrastructure’ will go a long way, especially in a global economic crisis.”
IUCN calls for action to save nature
“Now that we have a plan, we need to see action,” says Cyriaque N. Sendashonga, Global Director of IUCN’s Policy and Programme Group. “Countries must adopt strong national biodiversity strategies and integrate them into their development policies. It’s high time to move from the negotiation phase to a phase where we can actually see changes on the ground.”
Spokespeople:
Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN Director General
Jane Smart, Global Director of IUCN’s Biodiversity Conservation Group
Cyriaque N. Sendashonga, Global Director of IUCN’s Policy and Programme Group
Sonia Peña-Moreno, IUCN Senior Policy Officer - Biodiversity
Press Materials and Events:
• Opening Statement: Monday 8 October
• Marine Biologically and Ecologically Significant Areas - International News Release and Press Briefing: Monday 15 October, 11H00
• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Update – International News Release and Press Briefing: Wednesday 17 October, 11H00
• Closing Statement: Friday 19 October
Please visit https://www.iucn.org/news_homepage/events/cbd/meetings/hyderabad_2012/ for news materials, including press releases, statements, blogs and a photo gallery.
Live studio quality audio interviews are available for broadcasters via our ISDN line (APTX/G722). Please call +41 22 999 0346 to book an interview slot.
Media team: Ewa Magiera, IUCN Media Relations, t +41 22 999 0346, m +41 79 856 76 26, e ewa.magiera@iucn.org
