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Statement by Counsellor Ren Yisheng of the Permanent Mission of the People's Republic of China to the Uninted Nations at the High-level Meeting as a Contribution to the International Year of Biodiversity

2010-09-22 08:15
 

Mr. President,

The Chinese delegation associates itself with the statement made by Yemen on behalf of the Group of 77 and China.

Biodiversity is an integral part of the ecological environment and the basis for human survival and development. The UN’s decision to proclaim this year as the International Year of Biodiversity and to hold this high level event during the GA session demonstrates the importance that the international community attaches to biodiversity.

The theme of this high level event is achieving the three major objectives of the Convention on Biodiversity and other goals of the international community in this field. Since the signing of the Convention, worldwide public awareness of biodiversity issues has been on the rise, and the goals of biodiversity have been incorporated in the MDGs of the UN. As a result of the joint efforts of the international community, a preliminary international framework and a set of rules have been established in the biodiversity field, many endangered species have

survived, and the biodiversity goals for 2010 have been partially attained. At the same time, we must also acknowledge the alarming rate of biodiversity loss worldwide. The international endeavor for biodiversity conservation still faces multiple challenges. In this context, the international community must redouble its efforts in the following areas:

1. As the development of a post-2010 biodiversity strategy will have a bearing on the achievement of the three major objectives of the Convention and will be closely linked with the achievement of the MDGs and poverty alleviation, all parties must set sight on their long-term interests while addressing current issues and, on the basis of consultations on an equal footing, lay down well-structured, sensible, and feasible post-2010 strategic goals.

2. There must be vigorous cooperation on an equal footing pursuant to the principle of mutual benefit and win-win results for all, in order to promote the sustainable use of biodiversity and ensure an equitable sharing of all the benefits derived from genetic resources.

3. The capacity building of developing States Parties must be strengthened through funding and technical assistance, so as to ensure that developing States Parties can successfully implement the post-2010 biodiversity strategy.

4. As biodiversity conservation is linked to but also different from the issue of climate change, the discussions of climate change under CBD should avoid interfering with the negotiation process of the Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Mr. President,

China being one of the most biodiversity-rich countries of the world, the Chinese government gives high priority to biodiversity issues. With actions on biodiversity incorporated in our economic and social development plans, we have developed a preliminary body of laws and regulations on biodiversity conservation, and we attach great importance to the coordination between biodiversity conservation and sustainable use on the one hand and poverty alleviation on the other, as well as to

their mutually complementary nature. On the occasion of the International Year of Biodiversity, we have established a 2010 International Biodiversity National Committee and developed a program of action. China highly values and is actively engaged in international exchanges and cooperation in biodiversity and is among the first countries to have acceded to CBD. Over the years, by adopting relevant

legislation and administrative measures, we have given priority attention to the relationship between fast economic growth and ecological conservation, and have registered good progress in attaining the goals set for 2010. At the same time, we are fully aware of the gravity of the situation in biodiversity conservation in China. We cannot afford to ignore the challenges that population growth and fast economic development bring to China’s biodiversity.

Mr. President,

The achievement of the international biodiversity goals calls for joint will and commitment, and makes effective action and cooperation all the more necessary. We will continue to work with the rest of the international community for the protection of Earth, our home planet, and for the attainment of biodiversity goals.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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