“Barbados therefore wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) as well as to the monitoring and reporting on its implementation, and, in this regard, it is aligning its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to the Global Biodiversity Framework. Importantly, recognising the importance of Biodiversity Conservation, the Barbados NBSAP was laid in Parliament in 2022 as the guiding policy document for conservation and management in Barbados.”
It is my honour and privilege as Minister of Environment and National Beautification, Green and Blue Economy of Barbados, to address you today at this historic event.
On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, I extend sincere congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Colombia for taking up the mantle of hosting the Convention on Biological Diversity COP 16. I wish to offer my gratitude to President Urrego for his Government’s graciousness and hospitality in hosting this High-level Segment and for facilitating my participation. I acknowledge the great contributions that the country of Colombia has made towards negotiations for the greater environmental good under this Convention and others. Taking note of groundbreaking environmental agreements such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to this Convention and the Cartagena Convention for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment of the Wider Caribbean Region, we are honoured to bring that same spirit of collaboration and one-mindedness to the city of Cali, as we consider this COP’s theme of ‘Peace with Nature’, and observe the formal launch of the ‘World Coalition for Peace with Nature: A Call for Life’
Distinguished Delegates, the theme of ‘Peace with Nature’ is the articulation of a concept that has long sat deep within the social and cultural subconscious of the Caribbean region, and I would like to thank the Colombian Presidency for elevating it to the surface of our consciousness for discussion during these upcoming dialogues.
As a Small Island Developing State within the Caribbean, Barbados has always been sensitive to the important balance between environmental stewardship and economic and social development, and we have been especially weary of the negative impacts that imbalances in the relationship between nature and people can precipitate.
Barbados therefore wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) as well as to the monitoring and reporting on its implementation, and, in this regard, it is aligning its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to the Global Biodiversity Framework. Importantly, recognising the importance of Biodiversity Conservation, the Barbados NBSAP was laid in Parliament in 2022 as the guiding policy document for conservation and management in Barbados.
Addressing the ever-important issue of the over-exploitation of our natural resources is detailed in Target 2 of Barbados’ NBSAP, and is second only to Target 1 which ensures that every Barbadian is aware of the value of biodiversity and is equipped to take the conserve it. Naturally, these core tenets will align with the Global Biodiversity Framework, as it guides our global partnership, as Parties of this Convention, towards the achievement of what are fundamentally, national goals.
In his speech to the United Nations General Assembly, the Secretary General, stated that ‘making peace with nature requires understanding that we are facing a triple crisis that intertwines climate change, pollution and loss of biodiversity’. These are words that I frequently echo in my home country of Barbados, referring to the triple planetary crisis – and rightfully so I believe – as an existential threat to not just humanity, but all life on earth.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we made great strides at COP 15, adopting The Biodiversity Plan and setting the world on a path towards the conservation and sustainable management of our biodiversity, ecosystems and biological resources. I therefore urge Parties at COP 16 to focus on the meaningful implementation of this Plan, and the achievement of the goals that we set ourselves just two years ago. We must not rest on our laurels, but we should focus on ensuring that the means of implementation are put in place, especially for Small Island Developing States, Lesser Developed Countries and countries with economies in transition. I need not remind you that as biodiversity hotspots, the work we do at the national level contributes disproportionately towards the achievement of the goals set out in the GBF.
Colleagues, I urge you to steel your resolve and press forward with full force towards the achievement of our shared goals during this Decade of Ecosystem Restoration. It is only with the strength of our resolve that we can continue to chart this path towards a true global good for biodiversity and achieve a lasting peace between nature and humanity.
I thank you.
