From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Federal Ministry of Environment, has validated the new goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), in the Country.
The Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, made this known at the validation workshop on the national Biodiversity Targets and indicators for the early action support project to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework held in Abuja.
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), is the policy instrument for national implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
According to him, “our gathering here today is to confront the catastrophe rushing straight at us, ensuring that we act together with the boldest ambition to protect species threatened by over-exploitation, expand and strengthen our protected areas, set smart targets and indicators as effective measures in the recovery of our natural world.
“You will recall that about 8 months ago, we kick-started this process with the inception workshop for Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) Early Action Support Project.
“It is clear that we must use all of the tools at our disposal to reduce the threats to biodiversity, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework guiding our way.
“The African continent is more vulnerable to climate change, species loss, and biodiversity destruction than any other.
“African environments and resources, including that of our country have been hit hard by decades and centuries of exploitation mostly perpetrated by other countries especially in the global north.
“Africa will be the most affected by the biodiversity and climate crisis, we are united in being the most ambitious in protecting our lands, our seas, our wildlife, and our people.
He said, to accelerate action towards achieving this vision for biodiversity and living in harmony with nature by 2050, NBSAP must be rapidly aligned and validated with the new goals.
“I am glad that the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach was used to identify the level of alignment of national goals”, he concluded.
