Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity

[ ] 28 “ As biodiversity and ecosystems provide the essential infrastruc- ture supporting life on Earth and human development, it should come naturally that considerations about biodiversity are placed at the centre of economic and social assessments, as well as political decision-making. ” Dr. Cristiana Pașca Palmer, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity “ Do you know what is the most effective way of making the entire government aware of the complexity of the biodiversity concept? Invite the CBD COP to meet in your country. It was a fascinating period, 4–15 May 1998, when Bratislava, the small Slovak capital city, became for a moment the symbolic capital of biodiversity. Overall, the Bratislava meeting launched the transition from a focus on start-up activities to a longer-term action plan. The fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity set the agenda for the third millennium. ” His Excellency Mr. Jozef Zlocha Minister of the Environment of Slovakia COP 4, 4–15 May 1998 – Bratislava, Slovakia “ COP-3 took place in the context of the United Nation’s five-year review of progress made towards the realization of the goals of Agenda 21, and the growing recognition of the centrality of biodiversity to sustainable development. ” Her Excellency Ms. Maria Julia Alsongaray COP 3, 4–15 November 1996 – Buenos Aires, Argentina “ If COP-1 set in place the basic structures for the implementation of the Convention, COP-2 truly initiated the process. After three ballots, Parties agreed to designate the permanent location of the Secretariat as Montreal, Canada. ” His Excellency Mr. Sarwono Kusumaatmadja COP 2, 6–17 November 1995 – Jakarta, Indonesia “ By fostering an understanding among the Parties, the CBD, over the ensuing years has made remarkable strides to make the best decisions for positive global impact, emphasizing that biodiversity is more than plant and animal conservation and protection; that it also embodies the need for fresh air, food security, clean water, access to medicine and shelter and the imperative to protect our environment. ” Dame Ivy Dumont, Governor-General of the Bahamas COP 1, 28 Nov–9 Dec 1994 – Nassau, Bahamas “ I encourage all governments to take the necessary steps to deliver on the policies and actions that will build a world where humanity lives in harmony with nature. The entire world needs to join this effort so that, individually and collectively, we can take the measures needed to protect the nature that sustains us. ” António Guterres, UN Secretary General