Egypt: COP15 turning point in joint efforts to reach goals within Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

CAIRO – 16 December 2022: Egypt has hailed the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15), chaired by China, as a turning point in the joint efforts to reach applicable goals within the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

Egypt’s Minister of Environment Yasmine Fouad made the remarks during the high-level segment of the conference, held in Canada’s Montreal from 5 December through 17 December.

The GBF, an initiative led by the UN, aims at addressing the root causes of biodiversity loss.

COP15 is an important turning point in the course of the joint efforts of various parties and stakeholders, including women, youth and financial institutions, to ensure reaching agreed goals that can be implemented within the GBF, Fouad said.

She added that such goals can be applied in different region while taking into consideration the transboundary nature of biodiversity and ecosystems, the needs required to implement national commitments, and the fulfillment of the pledges made at COP14 held in Sharm El-Sheikh in 2018.

This would help reach a global framework for biodiversity that preserves natural resources and sustains the quality of life, Fouad added.

The minister expressed hope that the world would achieve the same positive steps that came out of the 2022 UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) after adopting the Loss and Damage Fund.

She added that the fund will lead to a real shift in the international community's desire to work against the negative effects of climate change and protect millions of people around the world.

Egypt has always been keen on linking climate change and biodiversity, dedicating a day during the COP27 climate conference for biodiversity, Fouad said.

Egypt also launched the nature-based solutions initiative linking mitigation, adaptation and restoration of ecosystems, she added.

Egypt is also taking active steps to enhance management of protected areas by involving the private sector and integrating local communities in the process of developing these areas, the minister said.

Fouad affirmed the need to raise ambition during the coming days of the conference by taking urgent measures in order to preserve the planet and the future of future generations.