Nature Leaders High Level Event: Safeguarding Nature, Securing Peace and a Sustainable Future

High level event on biodiversity at the 80th United Nations General Assembly.

23rd September, New York

New York (INVITATION ONLY)

23rd September, New York, NY

Time: 5-6.15 pm ET

Location: New York (INVITATION ONLY)

Agenda

High Level Welcome and Keynote introduction by Mrs. Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Introductory remarks by H.E. Mr. Arnoldo André Tinoco, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Costa Rica

Moderator : Mr. Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO, GEF

Panelist 1 – H.E Mr. Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Sierra Leone

Panelist 2 – H.E. Mr. Ibrahim Thoriq, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Maldives

Panelist 3 – H.E. Mrs. Mary Creagh, Minister for Nature, United Kingdom

Panelist 4 – Mr. Juan Carlos Jintiach – Executive Secretary Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC)

Panelist 5 – H.E. Mr. Jeppe Bruus, Minister of Green Transition, Denmark

Closing statement by:

H.E. Mr. Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of Armenia, CBD COP17 President

H.E. Mrs. Barbara Pompili, Ambassador for the Environment, France

Overview

In a global context marked by climate urgency and the ongoing erosion of biodiversity, this event stands as a strategic opportunity to reaffirm collective commitment to the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. The objective is not only to showcase progress toward the 30×30 target, but also to strengthen the political anchoring of biodiversity in economic and sectoral decision-making by highlighting 30×30 as a cornerstone for nature conservation, global security, food security and sustainable economies, as already highlighted in several international agreements including but not limited to the 2025 WHO Pandemic Agreement, the United Nations Pact for the Future or the 2025 Sevilla Commitment. This broader dialogue aims to mobilize ministers and stakeholders from key sectors to accelerate the integration and mainstreaming of nature into public policies ahead of CBD COP 17. In Yerevan, Armenia, Parties will conduct the first global review of collective progress in the implementation of the KM-GBF in the history of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The participants will discuss expectations for this process and its outcome including for the 30×30 goal.

Event Goals

To showcase progress toward the 30×30 target.
Strengthen political anchoring of biodiversity in economic and sectoral decision-making by highlighting 30×30 as a cornerstone for nature conservation, global security, food security and sustainable economies, as already highlighted in several international agreements.
To mobilize ministers and stakeholders from key sectors to accelerate the integration and mainstreaming of nature into public policies ahead of CBD COP 17.