The Kunming Biodiversity Fund made significant strides at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia. During a pivotal plenary meeting on Thursday, the Executive Council of the Fund reviewed and approved nine small-scale projects aimed at enhancing biodiversity across the globe.
These projects span 15 countries, including initiatives in Central and Eastern Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, Africa, and Latin America. This diverse geographic distribution underscores the Fund's commitment to addressing biodiversity challenges in various ecological contexts.
Established with a pledge of 1.5 billion yuan (approximately $210 million) from China in 2021, the Fund officially launched in May 2024. Its primary mission is to support biodiversity conservation efforts in developing countries, aligning with the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). Key objectives include ecosystem restoration and protection, sustainable use of biodiversity, and the prevention and control of invasive alien species.
Chinese Minister of Ecology and Environment Huang Runqiu emphasized the Fund's role in responding to the urgent needs of developing nations. \"The approved projects are a testament to our dedication to preserving the planet's biodiversity and supporting sustainable development worldwide,\" Huang stated.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) lauded China's contributions, highlighting the country's exceptional efforts in shaping the KMGBF agreement. Inger Andersen, UNEP's Executive Director, remarked, \"China's leadership and investment in biodiversity conservation are pivotal for the success of global environmental initiatives.\"
COP16, hosted in Cali from October 21 to November 1, is expected to attract over 12,000 participants. The conference focuses on evaluating the implementation of the KMGBF and mobilizing financial resources to support ongoing and future biodiversity projects.
As the world grapples with environmental challenges, the initiatives supported by the Kunming Biodiversity Fund represent a collaborative effort to foster a sustainable and biodiverse future for all.
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9 projects supported by Kunming Biodiversity Fund approved at COP16
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