COP 15 PRESIDENCY: latest news from Huang Runqiu, President of the COP 15 and Minister of Ecology and Environment of China

12 September 2022: COP 15 President Meets with European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries

On September 12, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, had a video meeting with Virginijus Sinkevičius, EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. The two sides had in-depth exchanges on the second part of COP 15 and key issues related to the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) .

Huang Runqiu thanked the EU for supporting the Chinese Presidency in making advancements for the preparations of the second part of COP 15 and the GBF negotiations. He gave an update on the preparations and plans and was happy to hear EU’s views and positions on relevant topics. He expressed the hope that EU could continue to display its influence in the field of biodiversity conservation, work with China and all Parties for the achievement of an ambitious, balanced and practical GBF, and contribute solutions to global biodiversity conservation.

30 August 2022: COP 15 President meets with Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity

On August 30, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, had a video meeting with Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The two sides had in-depth exchanges on the issues of preparation for the second part of COP 15, the High-Level Segment and consultations on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF).

Huang Runqiu expressed thanks to the Executive Secretary  and the Secretariat for their strong support and  preparatory work for the second part of COP 15. It was stressed that China would continue to play the role of the Presidency, work closely with the Secretariat, the Bureau and other Parties, and strive to reach an ambitious, balanced and practical GBF, to make COP 15 a milestone conference.

30 August 2022: China organizes a meeting of exchanges on CBD COP 15 important issues

On August 30, in the margin of the 2022 G20 Ministerial Joint Conference on Environment and Climate held in Bali, Indonesia, China and Indonesia co-hosted a meeting of exchanges and consultations on important issues and policies for the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15). Zhao Yingmin, representative of the presidency of COP 15, and vice minister of China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, attended and addressed the meeting.

China calls on all parties concerned to fully show flexibility, continue the momentum of the first part of COP 15 and fulfill the commitments of the Kunming Declaration, preparing for the second part of COP 15 and the adoption of an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

Ministerial representatives present at the ministerial joint conference of the Group of Twenty (G20), and heads of related international organizations attended the exchange meeting and delivered speeches.

29 August 2022: COP 15 President chairs COP 15 Bureau meeting

On August 29, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention of Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of Ecology and Environment, chaired the Bureau Meeting by video. In the meeting, they discussed the second part of COP 15, the High-Level Segment, the preparation of supporting activities and the inter-sessional process.

Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, attended and addressed the meeting. Tara Shannon, Assistant Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada, members of the COP Bureau and relevant personnel of the Secretariat, Co-Chairs of the Open-Ended Working Group (WG2020), on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF), Chair of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) and Chair of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) attended the meeting.

Huang Runqiu acknowledged the hard work and progress preparing for COP 15 and stressed that the second part of the COP should focus on GBF-related issues.. Moreover, he called on all parties to fully coordinate and communicate in the limited time left leading up to COP, laying a solid foundation for its successful negotions and the adoption of the GBF.
 

23 August 2022: COP 15 President meets with Minister of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia

On August 23, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, met with Siti Nurbaya Bakar, Minister of Environment and Forestry of Indonesia on line. Huang Runqiu reviewed the important achievements of the first part of COP15, and introduced the preparations for the second part of COP15 and the progress of the consultation on the “post-2020 global biodiversity framework(GBF)”.

Huang Runqiu stressed the commitment of China as COP15 Presidency to continue its leading role in all preparations of COP15 and consultations on GBF in a multi-level and all-round manner, and highlighted its willingess to work together with Indonesia, the Presidency of G20, and other Parties to guarantee the achievement of an ambitious, balanced and practical GBF and the success of the second part of COP15.

16 August 2022: COP 15 President meets with Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada

On August 16, Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, met with Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada on line. The two Ministers had in-depth exchanges on topics such as preparations for the second part of COP15 to be held in Montreal, Canada, and consultations on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

13 July 2022: COP 15 President attends HLPF 2022 to promote Biodiversity Conservation

Minister Huang Runqiu, President of the Fifteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) and Minister of Ecology and Environment of China, met with Mr. António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General; Mr. Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs; Mr. Collen Vixen Kelapile, President of the Economic and Social Council; Ms. Leila Benali, President of the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly; Mr. Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Secretary-General Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions, and ministerial representatives from Austria, Pakistan, South Africa, Colombia, India and other countries during his stay on invitation in attending the United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) from July 13th to 15th.

All stakeholders exchanged views on promoting the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and strengthening cooperation in promoting the Global Development Initiative. In-depth communications were carried out on safeguarding a successful second part of COP15 and adoption of “Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)” to contribute to the global biodiversity conservation.

The first part of COP 15 was successfully held in Kunming, China, in October 2021. The meeting adopted the Kunming Declaration, which injected a strong political impetus into global biodiversity governance. The second part of COP 15 will discuss the formulation of new goals and tasks for global biodiversity governance.

Huang stressed that the period from now to the second part of COP 15 is a critical period for continuing consultations and promoting consensus on the GBF. As COP 15 President, China will continue to lead and facilitate, and work with all parties to strengthen multi-level and all-round coordination, listen to opinions extensively, drive consensus, strive to reach an ambitious, balanced, and practical GBF, with a view to jointly advancing the global biodiversity governance.

Disclaimer: Content published as provided by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, of the People's Republic of China