Principality of Monaco takes part in COP 15 on biological diversity in China

©Direction de la Communication / Michael Alesi

The Principality of Monaco took part in the 15^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity¹ (Part 1)² from 11 to 15 October.

Through close collaboration between the two ministries involved, the Ministry of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Principality was actively represented at several levels:

-              At the political level through the monitoring of negotiations by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation

-              At the ministerial level through the participation of Ms Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Public Works, the Environment and Urban Development

-              And at the diplomatic level through the presence of H.E. Ms Marie-Pascale Boisson, Monaco’s Ambassador to China, in Kunming

Highlights of the week included Ms Céline Caron-Dagioni’s speech during the High-Level Segment, which was delivered by videoconference at the round table on “Putting biodiversity on a Path to Recovery”.

Speaking on the international stage for the first time since her appointment, Ms Caron-Dagioni noted the Principality’s commitment to safeguarding biodiversity both at sea and on land, and the need to recognise biodiversity’s vital contribution to the survival of humanity. This commitment was demonstrated by several examples of specific actions that are currently being implemented, such as the rewilding of the city.

Ms Caron-Dagioni emphasised the role of biodiversity and its incredible power to mitigate the impact of climate change in cities, and talked about how this was taken into account as part of urban development in Monaco.

It is important to note that the first challenge for COP 15 will be the adoption in May 2022 of a Global Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework and goals to help combat the loss of biodiversity.

On this point, Ms Caron-Dagioni reiterated Monaco’s strong commitment in the negotiations on this framework to enable the States Parties to agree ambitious, inclusive and attainable goals. She also noted that through the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, the Principality is advocating the adoption of a goal to protect 30% of the planet by 2030.

The Principality of Monaco will, of course, be taking part in the negotiations on this framework, and in the second part of COP 15 in 2022.

¹ https://www.cbd.int/convention/

² Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, COP 15 is being held in two parts: the first in a hybrid format from 11 to 15 October 2021, and the second in person, in China, from 24 April to 8 May 2022.