ifaw statement on the closing of Nairobi CBD negotiations on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

(Nairobi, Kenya—June 27, 2022)— IFAW has raised concerns about the lack of progress made during crucial UN biodiversity talks and is calling for more urgent action to protect biodiversity.

Held in Nairobi, the fourth meeting of the open-ended working group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework was tasked with progressing final commitments and goals so it can be adopted at the 15th CBD Conference of the Parties (CoP15) in Montreal later this year. 

With biodiversity and ecosystems across our planet on the brink of collapse, IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) warns there is still a massive gap between what is needed to sufficiently address this global crisis and the woefully inadequate text currently on the table.

Megan O’Toole, Director of International Policy at IFAW, issued the following statement: 

“We are grateful to all governments and the CBD Secretariat for the continued work and long hours to ensure that the Framework will be adopted by the end of 2022. However, we have significant concerns that the lack of progress at this meeting may reflect a lack of ambition and urgency to commit to meaningful or impactful measures to protect the world’s biodiversity.    

“For many topics, recently negotiated text was largely thrown out and replaced, at times negating the work Parties have put into this process already. This raises concerns that such a pattern will continue at a potential fifth open-ended working group and CoP15 in Montreal later this year, particularly for several key components of the Framework that may now be in jeopardy: 

• Potential backtracking of the 30x30 Target. Over 100 governments have already committed to protecting 30% of the earth by 2030, but that percentage is now up for further negotiation, with the option to lower it. This would be a significant loss of both the ambition and decisive conservation action needed to address the rapidly increasing loss of biodiversity worldwide.  
• Timeline to stop wildlife extinction. The proposed delay in the timeline to reduce extinctions from 2030 to 2050 is a significant loss. While such a goal may seem lofty to take on, this is a core component of the CBD Framework, and is a critical one to ensuring that human activities do not drive wildlife to extinction. 
• Preventing future pandemics. At this poignant moment in history, we continue to urge governments to address measures to eliminate trade in wildlife that poses a risk of zoonotic spillover to prevent future pandemics—such as the one that delayed the adoption of this Framework by almost three years. 

“There is a long way to go to finalize the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, and we hope governments will arrive in Montreal this December ready to finally address the significant conservation and biodiversity issues that will continue to worsen if we fail to act now. IFAW is committed to continued support in these endeavors, both at CoP15 and with any resulting implementation efforts.”  

ENDS

NOTES

• Since 1993, parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have met regularly to agree on and review the steps they are taking to implement the three objectives of the convention, namely: to conserve biodiversity, to utilise it sustainably, and to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from its use.  
• Every 10 years, a new Framework is negotiated, with new and increasingly ambitious aims to ensure these objectives are achieved. 
• Hosted by the United Nations (UN) Environment Program, this June marked the fourth gathering to negotiate the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. A potential fifth open-ended working group was just announced, to take place in the days ahead of the Framework’s final adoption at the 15th Convention of the Parties (CoP15) of CBD—already delayed two years due to COVID-19.  

About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) 

IFAW is a global non-profit helping animals and people thrive together. We are experts and everyday people, working across seas, oceans and in more than 40 countries around the world. We rescue, rehabilitate and release animals, and we restore and protect their natural habitats. The problems we’re up against are urgent and complicated. To solve them, we match fresh thinking with bold action. We partner with local communities, governments, non-governmental organizations and businesses. Together, we pioneer new and innovative ways to help all species flourish. See how at ifaw.org

Press Contacts:

Stacey Hedman 
Communications Director
Washington, DC
m: +1 508 737 2558
e: shedman@ifaw.org