UN Convention on Biological Diversity
Secretariat of the Convention
on Biological Diversity
United Nations
Environment
Programme
Tel: (514) 288.22.20
Fax: (514) 288.65.88
E- mail: secretariat@biodiv.org
Web: www.biodiv.org
World Trade Centre
413 Saint-Jacques Street, Suite 800
Montréal, Québec, Canada H2Y 1N9
Statement by
Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf
Executive Secretary
Convention on Biological Diversity
On the occasion of
The High level Segment of the 14th Session of the
Commission on Sustainable Development
Page 2
Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Major scientific findings have proved ample evidence that biophysical consequences of climate
change are not a fiction but a reality. Atmospheric and oceanic temperatures are increasing, and
associated natural disturbances such as hurricanes are becoming more intense, due in part to these
changes. Hydrological cycles are also being altered: droughts and floods are returning more
frequently, while mountain snowmelt is becoming part of our daily reality. These changes have
far reaching implications on the biodiversity of our planet as well as on global food supply. The
permafrost is melting in the boreal zone and in doing so, native ecosystems are being reduced in
extent; plant and animal species in many regions across the globe are either moving to cooler
environments or are in the process of disappearing; and global warming is driving disease
outbreaks that are causing, for example, widespread amphibian extinctions. Climate change has
been therefore identified as one of the main driver to biodiversity loss.
Mr. Chairman,
The Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity through its scientific
body has decided to consider in details the implication of climate change on the biodiversity of
our planet. Indeed two technical expert groups on climate change and biodiversity including
adaptation were convened with the support of Finland and their results submitted to the scientific
body of the Convention. The experts stressed the potential of, and the need for, synergy in the
implementation of activities that interlink biodiversity conservation, mitigation of and adaptation
to climate change, and land degradation and desertification in the context of the objectives of the
three Rio Conventions and other rele vant multilateral environmental agreements. They also
recommended that biodiversity should be part of national policies, programmes and plans for
adaptation to climate change to allow ecosystems to continue providing goods and services. The
recommendations of the expert groups were emphasized by the finding of the Millennium
Ecosystem Assessment which provided ample evidence that approaches for combating
desertification, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating climate change are
interlinked. Addressing these challenges is essential if the Millennium Development Goals for
poverty alleviation, food production and sustainable development are to be met.
It is for these reasons for the first time in the history of the two sister Conventions, a joint meeting
of their scientific subsidiary bodies was held in December last year in Montreal at the margins of
the11th COP meeting of the UNFCC and the 11th meeting of the scientific body of the
Convention. It is also for the same reasons that the Eight Conference of the Parties, held in
Curitiba, Brazil in March this year and attended by 4000 participants including 122 ministers and
other heads of delegations adopted a major decision on biodiversity and climate change
mandating its scientific body to prepare draft guidance on how to integrate relevant climate
change impact and response activities into the programme of work the convention. We in the
Secretariat of the Convention looks forward to working with our sister agencies including the
Commission on Sustainable development in the years to come to join forces for addressing the
multifaceted implications of the climate change including its biodiversity related impacts. Lastly
Mr Chair, I am pleased to inform that at the occasion of the celebration of the internationa l
biodiversity day on 22 May, the Secretariat of the Convention will with the participation of the
Canadian and the Netherlands authorities, honor the memory of the late Executive Secretary of
UNFCCC Ms Joke Waller-Hunter in naming the CBD conference room in Montreal on her behalf
as a token tribute to her outstanding contribution in advancing the sustainable development
agenda.
I thank you for your kind attention.
on Biological Diversity
United Nations
Environment
Programme
Tel: (514) 288.22.20
Fax: (514) 288.65.88
E- mail: secretariat@biodiv.org
Web: www.biodiv.org
World Trade Centre
413 Saint-Jacques Street, Suite 800
Montréal, Québec, Canada H2Y 1N9
Statement by
Dr. Ahmed Djoghlaf
Executive Secretary
Convention on Biological Diversity
On the occasion of
The High level Segment of the 14th Session of the
Commission on Sustainable Development
Page 2
Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Major scientific findings have proved ample evidence that biophysical consequences of climate
change are not a fiction but a reality. Atmospheric and oceanic temperatures are increasing, and
associated natural disturbances such as hurricanes are becoming more intense, due in part to these
changes. Hydrological cycles are also being altered: droughts and floods are returning more
frequently, while mountain snowmelt is becoming part of our daily reality. These changes have
far reaching implications on the biodiversity of our planet as well as on global food supply. The
permafrost is melting in the boreal zone and in doing so, native ecosystems are being reduced in
extent; plant and animal species in many regions across the globe are either moving to cooler
environments or are in the process of disappearing; and global warming is driving disease
outbreaks that are causing, for example, widespread amphibian extinctions. Climate change has
been therefore identified as one of the main driver to biodiversity loss.
Mr. Chairman,
The Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity through its scientific
body has decided to consider in details the implication of climate change on the biodiversity of
our planet. Indeed two technical expert groups on climate change and biodiversity including
adaptation were convened with the support of Finland and their results submitted to the scientific
body of the Convention. The experts stressed the potential of, and the need for, synergy in the
implementation of activities that interlink biodiversity conservation, mitigation of and adaptation
to climate change, and land degradation and desertification in the context of the objectives of the
three Rio Conventions and other rele vant multilateral environmental agreements. They also
recommended that biodiversity should be part of national policies, programmes and plans for
adaptation to climate change to allow ecosystems to continue providing goods and services. The
recommendations of the expert groups were emphasized by the finding of the Millennium
Ecosystem Assessment which provided ample evidence that approaches for combating
desertification, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating climate change are
interlinked. Addressing these challenges is essential if the Millennium Development Goals for
poverty alleviation, food production and sustainable development are to be met.
It is for these reasons for the first time in the history of the two sister Conventions, a joint meeting
of their scientific subsidiary bodies was held in December last year in Montreal at the margins of
the11th COP meeting of the UNFCC and the 11th meeting of the scientific body of the
Convention. It is also for the same reasons that the Eight Conference of the Parties, held in
Curitiba, Brazil in March this year and attended by 4000 participants including 122 ministers and
other heads of delegations adopted a major decision on biodiversity and climate change
mandating its scientific body to prepare draft guidance on how to integrate relevant climate
change impact and response activities into the programme of work the convention. We in the
Secretariat of the Convention looks forward to working with our sister agencies including the
Commission on Sustainable development in the years to come to join forces for addressing the
multifaceted implications of the climate change including its biodiversity related impacts. Lastly
Mr Chair, I am pleased to inform that at the occasion of the celebration of the internationa l
biodiversity day on 22 May, the Secretariat of the Convention will with the participation of the
Canadian and the Netherlands authorities, honor the memory of the late Executive Secretary of
UNFCCC Ms Joke Waller-Hunter in naming the CBD conference room in Montreal on her behalf
as a token tribute to her outstanding contribution in advancing the sustainable development
agenda.
I thank you for your kind attention.