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United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs Sustainable Development

Secretariat Convention Biological Diversity (CBD)

1. Responding to the multiple crises, has the governing body of your organization taken any decisions or adopted any new strategies to enhance effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions and to reinforce the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and poverty eradication? (200-800 words) 

At its fifteenth meeting, held in Montreal, Canada, in December 2022, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Among the Framework’s key elements are 4 goals to be achieved by 2050 and 23 targets for 2030 – which together aim to build a pathway to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050.  

The Framework states that biodiversity is fundamental to human well-being, a healthy planet, and economic prosperity for all people, including for living well in balance and in harmony with Mother Earth. Humanity depends on biodiversity for food, medicine, energy, clean air and water, security from natural disasters as well as recreation and cultural inspiration, and it supports all systems of life on Earth.  

As stated in its Section G, the Framework is a contribution to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, such as Goals 14 and 15. At the same time, progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the achievement of sustainable development in all its three dimensions (environmental, social and economic) is necessary to create the conditions necessary to fulfil the goals and targets of the Framework. It will place biodiversity, its conservation, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, at the heart of the sustainable development agenda, recognizing the important linkages between biological and cultural diversity. 

The importance of biodiversity for poverty eradication has been recognized for quite some time (see https://www.cbd.int/doc/publications/cbd-ts-55-en.pdf ). 70% of the world’s poor live in rural areas and depend directly on biodiversity for their survival and well-being. Accordingly, Target 14 of the Framework seeks to ensure the full integration of biodiversity and its multiple values into poverty eradication strategies and other policy processes.  

The Framework, in a number of Targets, highlights how people’s needs can be met by using biodiversity in a sustainable manner, including through innovative approaches. For instance, its Target 10 seeks to ensure that areas under agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry are managed sustainably, including through a substantial increase of the application of biodiversity friendly practices, such as sustainable intensification, agroecological and other innovative approaches. According to this Target, doing so would contribute to the resilience and long-term efficiency and productivity of these production systems and to food security. 

To support making these policy linkages in a practical way, guidance material has been developed under the Convention. With a view to complement UNDESA’s Handbook for the Preparation of Voluntary National Reviews (VRN), guidance has been prepared on how to reflect the important cross-cutting role of biodiversity in progress reporting against the SDGs (see https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/5c5f/cce3/d994ffe3ff426bfd61eb1bac/cop-14-inf-26-en.pdf ). 

 

2. In the past year, has your organization organized any intergovernmentally mandated conferences, forums or events that contributed to the achievement of the SDGs, or in the process of planning and organizing any such mandated events to be held next year?  

 

Event Name:  

Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity  

Event Dates:  

7-19 December 2022 

Event Location (City, Country):  

Montreal, Canada 

Relevant SDGs:  

SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 

Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)  

The Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) was a momentous opportunity for the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This global agreement is the blueprint that will help us achieve the goal of living in harmony with nature by 2050. Across its 4 goals and 23 targets there are many synergies with the SDGs that go beyond the most obvious connections with SDGs 14 and 15.  

Website (if applicable) 

https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2021-2022  

 

Event Name:  

Place Québec  

Event Dates:  

7-18 December 2022 

Event Location (City, Country):  

Montreal, Canada 

Relevant SDGs:  

SDGs 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17  

Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)  

During COP-15, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity created Place Québec, a unique space aiming at encouraging whole-of-society participation to implement the Convention and its Protocols. Place Quebec enabled stakeholder groups, namely, NGOs, indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, business and finance, cities and subnational governments, UN System and faith based organizations to showcase action and commitments across society in support of the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework and its successful implementation. Through encouraging multistakeholder gathering and dialogue, within and across constituencies, Place Québec created several synergies across the Sustainable Development Goals.  

Website (if applicable) 

https://www.cbd.int/article/cop15-place-quebec  

 

Event Name:  

Seventh Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities  

Event Dates:  

11-12 December 2022 

Event Location (City, Country):  

Montreal, Canada 

Relevant SDGs:  

SDGs 11, 12, 13, 16, and 17 

Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)  

The Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities (and its associated Pavilion) constituted an unprecedented global milestone to welcome significantly strengthened contributions from subnational governments and cities to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Summit, focused on acting for biodiversity, cantered around three elements: Engage, Influence and Act. This was the first time at a CBD COP where there was a dedicated Pavilion focusing entirely on subnational and local government actions and opportunities.  

Website (if applicable) 

https://cbc.iclei.org/7thsummitandpavilion/   

 

Event Name:  

Sustainable Ocean Initiative Global Partnership Meeting 

Event Dates:  

1-2 December 2022 

Event Location (City, Country):  

Montreal, Canada 

Relevant SDGs:  

SDGs 1, 2, 8, 13 and 14 

Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)  

The Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Post-2020 Global Partnership Meeting was convened in Montreal, on 1 and 2 December 2022. This meeting gathered experts to co-develop the new SOI Post-2020 Action Plan, reviewing the more than 10 years of progress under SOI and identifying approaches that SOI must take in order to effectively deliver the capacity building support for the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 

Website (if applicable) 

https://www.cbd.int/meetings/SOI-OM-2022-02  

 

Event Name:  

Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity  

Event Dates:  

21 October – 1 November 2024 (tentatively)  

Event Location (City, Country):  

TBD 

Relevant SDGs:  

SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 

Description (max 150 words): please include a short summary of the event’s mandate and contributions to the SDGs, including its main outcome(s)  

The upcoming COP-16 will be an opportunity for Parties to Convention on Biological Diversity to work on developing the best practices to continue the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.  

Website (if applicable) 

https://www.cbd.int/meetings/006377   

 

3. In the past year, has your organization published or planned to publish any analytical work or guidance note or toolkits to guide and support the implementation of SDGs at national, regional and global levels?  Please select up to three to highlight, especially those that address interlinkages among the SDGs.  

Resource Name 

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Guidance Notes  

Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) 

SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 

Publishing entity/entities 

Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity (under the authority of the Conference of the Parties) 

Target audience  

Whole of Government and whole of society  

Description (max 150 words)  

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted during the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) following a four year consultation and negotiation process. In order to support Parties in their implementation process, the CBD Secretariat put together a set of guidance notes on each of the targets and goals. The guidance notes include information on critical components, links to other processes including the SDGs, guiding questions for setting national targets, indicators and tools and guidance available for each of the targets.   

Language(s) 

English  

Website (if applicable) 

https://www.cbd.int/gbf/targets/  

 

Resource Name 

Input to the 2022 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development: Building back better from the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  

Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals) 

SDGs 4, 5, 14, 15, 17 

Publishing entity/entities 

Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity  

Target audience  

2022 HLPF  

Description (max 150 words)  

This publication outlines the experience, lessons learned, challenges, and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the implementation of the SGDs from the vantage point of the CBD and its Protocols. The COVID-19 pandemic highlights how critical the health of our ecosystems is for human well-being and sustainable development. Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic provide both an opportunity and a need to build back better and greener - for transformative changes towards a sustainable future and a ‘new normal’: one in which all people are able to live in harmony with nature, leaving no one behind. Global coordinated efforts and strong leadership are urgently needed to catalyze a decade of action for people, the planet, nature and climate, with a view to tackling the triple environmental crisis as a foundation for the sustainability of the planet and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable development.  

Language(s) 

English  

Website (if applicable) 

https://www.cbd.int/development/implementation/hlpf/ 

 

4. In connection with the 2023 SDG Summit, the United Nations Development System announced 12 High-Impact Initiatives where transformative progress is possible despite challenging global circumstances. Please share if your organization is contributing to any of these High Impact Initiatives and how various actors are being rallied behind them to mobilize further leadership and investment to bring progress to scale.  
 

  • Digital Public Infrastructure (Scaling inclusive and open digital ecosystems for the SDGs) 

  • Energy Compacts (Scaling up ambition to deliver on SDG7) 

  • Food Systems Transformation (Transforming food systems for a sustainable world without hunger) 

  • FutureGov (Building public sector capabilities for the future) 

  • Global Accelerator (The Global Accelerator on jobs and social protection for just transitions)   

  • Local2030 Coalition (Pushing key transitions and achieving the SDGs by 2030)  

  • Nature Driving Economic Transformation (Leveraging the power of biodiversity and nature to drive equitable economic progress)  

  • Power of Data (Unlocking the data dividend for the SDGs)  

  • Spotlight Initiative (To eliminate violence against women and girls) 

  • The SDG Stimulus (Scaling up long-term affordable financing for the SDGs)  

  • Transforming4Trade (Paradigm shift to boost economic development)  

  • Transforming Education (Learning to build a better future for all)  

The CBD Secretariat has been included in the multi-agency group that is working on the initiative focusing on “Nature Driving Economic Transformation" which aims to leverage the power of biodiversity and nature to drive economic progress. The work is in its initial stages and work is currently focused on mapping existing initiatives and identifying and working with local governments to support the development of biodiversity-based economic policies. 

It is important to underscore that some of the metrics selected to track progress in this initiative were the headline indicators D.2 (domestic public funding), 18.1 (positive incentives introduced), 18.2 (harmful incentives eliminated), Target 14 indicators (including number of countries with implementation of system of environmental-economic accounting) underscoring the contribution of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to this important initiative.  

5. In addition to the above, has your organization been part of any other initiatives or multi-stakeholder partnerships that enhance effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions and reinforce the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially in the areas of poverty eradication (SDG1), food systems transformation (SDG2), climate action (SDG13), governance (SDG16), partnerships (SDG17), which will go under in-depth review at the HLPF in 2024, or related to the Secretary-General’s proposals in Our Common Agenda?  

Initiative/Partnership Name 

Global Partnership for Business and Biodiversity  

Partners (please list all partners) 

Mesoamerica Biodiversity Partnership (Costa Rica), Brazilian Business and Biodiversity Initiative (Brazil), ECORED (Dominican Republic), Biodiversity and Companies (Peru), Mexican Partnership for Business and Biodiversity (Mexico), National Biodiversity and Business Network (South Africa), ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Australian Business and Biodiversity Initiative (Australia), China Business and Biodiversity Partnership (China), India Business and Biodiversity Initiative (India), Japan Business and Biodiversity Partnership (Japan), Japan Business Initiative for Biodiversity (Japan), Korea Business and Biodiversity Initiative (South Korea), Sri Lanka Business and Biodiversity Platform (Sri Lanka), European Union Business and Biodiversity Platform (European Union), FIBS (Finland), Respect Ocean (France), French Initiative for business and Biodiversity (France), Biodiversity in Good Company (Germany), Nature Inclusive Agriculture Network (Netherlands), Green Growth Frontrunners, Community of Practice Greening Finance (Netherlands), Natural Capital Future Proof Community (Netherlands, Polish Business and Biodiversity Platform (Poland), Spanish Business and Biodiversity Initiative (Spain), Business @ Biodiversity Sweden (Sweden), UK Business and Biodiversity Forum (United Kingdom).  

Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)  

SDGs: 8, 9, 12, 17.  

Member States benefiting from it 

Regional scope: Mesoamerica, European Union and ASEAN 

National scope: Brazil, Dominican Republic, Peru, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.   

Description (max 150 words) 

The Global Partnership for Business and Biodiversity is a network currently comprised of 22 national and regional initiatives representing over 60 countries across the globe, all working towards strengthened business engagement on biodiversity-related issues. The Global Partnership is thus a network of networks linking the various initiatives so that they can share information and good practices and cooperate on common projects with a view to mainstreaming biodiversity concerns into businesses. The Global Partnership gets also involved in select COP mandated projects. 

Website  

https://www.cbd.int/business/gp.shtml  

 

Initiative/Partnership Name 

Sustainable Ocean Initiative  

Partners (please list all partners) 

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Blue Solutions, GIZ, Monaco Blue Initiative, Korea Maritime Institute, Korea Environmental Management Orgnization, IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management-Fisheries Expert Group, Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiatives, Lifeweb Initiative, Global Island Partnership, MedPAN, Brest-Metropole Oceane, Maritime Innovative Territories’ International Network – MITIN.  

Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)  

SDGs 1, 2, 8, 13, 14 

Member States benefiting from it 

Several states including (but not limited to): Senegal, Republic of Korea, China, Australia, Germany, Monaco, Japan, France, Peru, Jamaica, Thailand, Maldives, Morocco, Indonesia, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Vanuatu, Timor-Leste, Madagascar, Samoa, and Namibia. 

Description (max 150 words) 

Around the world, efforts are under way to improve conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity. However, there has been inadequate focus on the holistic aspects of capacity needs with regards to oceans and marine life therein. The Sustainable Ocean Initiative provides a holistic and strategic framework through which to catalyze partnerships, build on lessons learned and knowledge gained, and facilitate improved coordination and two-way dialogue to address these capacity needs to support countries in their efforts to achieve the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in marine and coastal areas. The Sustainable Ocean Initiative focuses centrally on facilitating partnerships to link various initiatives and ensure that the sum of these efforts are greater than its parts. 

Website  

https://www.cbd.int/soi/  

 

Initiative/Partnership Name 

Action Agenda for Nature and People 

Partners (please list all partners) 

Over 270 partnership initiatives, which can be found at:   https://www.cbd.int/action-agenda/contributions/ 

Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)  

SDGs: 2, 3, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 

Member States benefiting from it 

Actions benefiting (but not limited to): Thailand, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, Guatemala, Egypt, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Uruguay, Spain, Venezuela, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Papua New-Guinea. 

Description (max 150 words) 

The Action Agenda is a platform that invites positive action in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework that was adopted in 2022. To ensure synergy with the SDGs, proponents of actions are requested to indicate which SDGs their actions/initiatives contribute to in addition to Aichi Biodiversity Targets which will now be updated with the GBF goals 

Website  

https://www.cbd.int/portals/action-agenda/  

 

Initiative/Partnership Name 

Cities With Nature  

Partners (please list all partners) 

309 cities from 72 countries (including but not limited to): Barcelona (Spain), Paris (France), London (United Kingdom), Bonn (Germany), Rome (Italy), Cape Town (South Africa), Lagos (Nigeria), Tangier (Morocco), Maputo (Mozambique), Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania), Sao Paulo (Brazil), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Santa Fe (Argentina), Medellin (Colombia), Quito (Ecuador), New York City (United States), Montreal (Canada), Mexico City (Mexico), Miami (United States), Los Angeles (United States), Istanbul (Turkey), Shenzhen (China), Aichi (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), Melbourne (Australia), Wellington (New Zealand).  

Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)  

SDGs 11, 12, 13, 16, and 17 

Member States benefiting from it 

72 member states benefit from this partnership (including but not limited to): Spain, France, Brazil Australia, India, Canada, Bangladesh, Tanzania, South Korea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Nepal, United States, Ghana, Bhutan, Portugal, United Kingdom, Colombia, Mexico, Burundi, Japan, Romania, The Gambia, Cameroon, Mauritius, South Africa, Solomon Islands, Honduras, Croatia, Nigeria, Togo, Morocco, Argentina, Rwanda, Eswatini, Uganda, Fiji, Benin, Greece, Zimbabwe, Albania, Mozambique, Ecuador, Peru, Germany, Iceland, Sweden, Bulgaria, Madagascar, Iran.  

Description (max 150 words) 

CitiesWithNature is a global initiative and network that fosters the connection between cities and nature to promote sustainable urban development. Launched by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Nature Conservancy, and other partners, CitiesWithNature is a platform that encourages cities to recognize the value of nature and incorporate it into urban planning and development. 

Website  

https://citieswithnature.org/  

 

Initiative/Partnership Name 

Regions4  

Partners (please list all partners) 

Region of Flanders (Belgium), Community of the Communes of Plateau (Benin), National Association of Municipal Areas od Benin (Benin), State of Parana (Brazil), State of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), State of Sao Paulo (Brazil), Catholic University of Santos (Brazil), Centre-Nord Region (Burkina-Faso), Hauts-Bassins Region (Burkina-Faso), Province of Quebec (Canada), Consortium of Autonomous Provincial Governments of Ecuador (Ecuador), Province of Esmeraldas (Ecuador), Province of Manabi (Ecuador), Province of Morona-Santiago (Ecuador), Municipality of Santa Elena (Ecuador), Aland Islands (Finland), Region of Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes (France), Region of Brittany (France), Region of La Reunion (France), Aahfo Development Association (Ghana), Province of North Sumatra (Indonesia), Region of Lombardy (Italy), Region of Sud-Comoe (Ivory Coast), Council of Governors of Kenya (Kenya), State of Campeche (Mexico), State of Guanajuato (Mexico), State of Jalisco (Mexico), State of Yucatan (Mexico), National Association of State Environmental Authorities (Mexico), Region of Rabat Sale Kenitra (Morocco), Bignona Department (Senegal), Fatick Department (Senegal), Foundiougne Department (Senegal), Gossas Department (Senegal), Kaolack Department (Senegal), Louga Department (Senegal), Saint-Louis Department (Senegal), Basque Country (Spain), Canary Islands (Spain), Catalonia (Spain), La Rioja (Spain), Navarra (Spain), Ecological and Forestry Applications Research Center (Spain), Western Provinces (Sri Lanka), Mbale (Uganda), Scotland (United Kingdom), Wales (United Kingdom), Congress of Mayors (Uruguay).  

Relevant SDGs (list all relevant goals)  

SDGs 11, 12, 13, 16, and 17 

Member States benefiting from it 

Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Ecuador, Finland, France, Ghana, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Uganda, United Kingdom and Uruguay.  

Description (max 150 words) 

Regions4, also known as the Regions4 Sustainable Development, is an international organization representing subnational governments, primarily regions and provinces, in their commitment to advancing sustainable development. Established in 2002, Regions4 serves as a vital platform for subnational governments to collaborate, share knowledge, and advocate for the integration of sustainable development principles and goals at the regional level. The organization's core mission is to support regional governments in fostering sustainable practices, addressing environmental challenges, and contributing to global initiatives, notably the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 

Website  

https://regions4.org/  

 

6. In the Political Declaration adopted at the 2023 SDG Summit, Member States committed to using the review of the high-level political forum at the 78th session of the General Assembly to further strengthen the follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, harnessing data to track progress in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals and targets, strengthening analysis of the interlinkages across the Goals and targets, including policy implications of their synergies and trade-offs. Please provide your organization’s recommendations, if any, in this regard.  

  • Strengthen follow-up and review of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at HLPF 

  • Harnessing data to track progress in implementation 

  • Strengthening analysis of the interlinkages across Goals and targets, including policy implications of their synergies and trade-offs 

  • Other suggestions   

Actions and policy recommendations in areas requiring urgent attention in relation to SDGs 4 and 5, reemphasizing the need for continued efforts in mainstreaming biodiversity in the education sector and improving the ability of women to participate in decision-making and by affecting their access to and control of land, biological resources and other productive assets:  

Education and capacity-building are essential to further advance biodiversity awareness and mainstreaming, and the inclusion of gender considerations and traditional knowledge systems play a fundamental role in providing information on biodiversity management at the local level. In addition, greater equality and empowerment of women and girls, as called for in Goal 5, have a positive effect on biodiversity by affording women greater influence in its use. The full and effective involvement of women, indigenous peoples and local communities is essential to achieve global biodiversity targets and ensure a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 

Co-benefits of advancing the health of the planet and health of the people, and preventing zoonotic diseases that can lead to future pandemics, as part of a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic:  

Emerging infectious diseases (e.g. Ebola virus disease, HIV/AIDS, Monkeypox, SARS, MERS, COVID-19) highlight the complex linkages among biodiversity, global environmental change and human health, and the critical need for integrated, transdisciplinary approaches such as One Health among other holistic approaches to address the intricate linkages between the health of all people, animals, plants and other organisms, and our shared environment. With a view to further discuss the links between zoonotic diseases that can lead to pandemics and biodiversity loss, a special virtual session of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body was convened in December 2020 on interlinkages between biodiversity and health, the One Health approach, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The intricate links between biodiversity and the emergence of zoonotic diseases reminds us of the need to building back better and restoring a healthy planet, as biodiversity is the foundation of life on Earth and underpins the health of all living beings, including human health. In this context, a One Health transition can play a critical and catalytic role in reducing the loss and degradation of biodiversity, restoring healthy ecosystems, enhancing the health, well-being and livelihood of all living beings, including humans, animals and plants, and preventing future pandemics. 

Strengthen follow up and review at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) by proposing the inclusion of a dedicated thematic session within the HLPF to systematically assess the progress, challenges and opportunities pertaining to biodiversity loss. This could be linked to the UN Summit on Biodiversity that took place in the UN Headquarters in 2020.  This could encourage Member States to incorporate specific biodiversity considerations, indicators and targets into their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) presented at the HLPF. This would enable enhanced visibility and strengthened understanding of biodiversity-related accomplishments and challenges within the national context while also reinforcing the linkages between the triple planetary crisis.  

Harness Data to track progress and implementation by developing a standardized set of biodiversity indicators aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This exercise could promote uniformity and comparability of biodiversity data across nations and support implementation of both the GBF and SDGs based on reliable and scientific knowledge. This could also include technological advancements and citizen science initiatives to enhance the precision and timeliness of biodiversity-related data. It is important to underscore that many countries are struggling to compile and analyze data on biodiversity, and this could be a significant contribution from this process. 

Strengthening of the analysis of interlinkages across global goals and targets by facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge-sharing platforms to deepen the understanding of the interconnectedness between biodiversity and the SDGs as well as with other global challenges. Such collaborative efforts can be realized through joint research initiatives, workshops, and partnerships involving biodiversity experts, policymakers, and practitioners.  

Foster international cooperation and knowledge exchange on successful strategies for mainstreaming biodiversity considerations across the SDGs. This collaborative effort can be facilitated through established platforms such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and relevant UN agencies. 

Establish capacity-building programs to enhance the capabilities of Member States in integrating biodiversity considerations into their national development planning and implementation processes.

ECESA Plus Member
Year of submission: 2023