The United Nations Biodiversity Conference opened on the 6th, with representatives from nearly 200 countries gathering in Montreal, Canada, to forge a key global ecological agreement for the next decade. Amidst the numerous disagreements and slow progress in negotiations, 300 young people from around the world, some as young as 10, gathered in Montreal's Old Port, less than a 15-minute walk from the conference center. They aim not only to drive the agreement forward but also to reverse the accelerating loss of biodiversity through action.
Restoring nature cannot wait: Youth from 50 countries urge concrete action at the UN
The 15th United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity (COP15) is currently being held in Montreal. The conference's major mission is to establish the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, which will set specific goals and guidelines for action over the next decade.
The Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) held the world's largest youth forum on biodiversity from May 5th to 6th. Founder Christian Schwarzer took the stage and declared, "This year, we want to make sure our voices are heard by representatives from all countries."
Scientists predict that nearly one million species worldwide will be threatened with extinction in the next decade. Young people hope that countries will move beyond empty promises. A young Indigenous man from Canada recounted how his family had lived on the same land for four generations, but was evicted by the government due to development. Now, their homeland is flooded. Unlike his parents, who had to accept it with resignation, he stated that he would stand up to defend the rights of nature and his people.
Don't just aim for empty goals; young people want action, and it should be done immediately.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also attended the meeting on the 6th. He said, "Young people's leadership and voice are hope."
Before the formal discussions with representatives from various countries, the working group held numerous discussions on the draft Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, with over 1,000 details remaining unresolved. According to the latest results, consensus has been reached on Target 21, which emphasizes the participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in decision-making. However, goals alone do not guarantee progress. Youth and Indigenous representatives stated that they will continue to monitor and promote the implementation of the policy.
The first day of the Youth Forum was conducted in a workshop format. Each group was assigned a biodiversity loss issue, such as land development or overconsumption, and discussed the causes of biodiversity loss. To address the multi-faceted trend of biodiversity loss, one must address more than just one factor. Through a systematic brainstorming approach, they worked their way through the issues, identifying the root causes and formulating actionable recommendations.
Not only strategy but also action is needed. GYBN called for a large-scale march over the weekend (the 10th), which was joined by young people, local organizations, and local residents from over 50 countries. They chanted "Stop the Same," "Stop Ecocide," and "Justice for our future," demanding that the decision-making representatives of various countries listen to the people's voices and take positive action.
Source: Environmental Information Center (https://e-info.org.tw/node/235656)
