Chair, distinguished delegates,
Thank you for this opportunity. On behalf of the Solomon Islands and the Pacific Island Countries present here, I would like to express our deep appreciation to the Government and people of Colombia for their exceptional hospitality in hosting CBD COP 16 in the beautiful city of Cali.
As Small Island Developing States, often referred to as Large Ocean States, we are stewards of vast and unique biodiversity, responsible for a significant portion of the world's ecosystems, including about 30% of the oceans and seas within our national jurisdictions. Yet, we face mounting challenges in ensuring sustainable and resilient futures for our islands.
In this light, I call for urgent support to expedite the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM GBF). We are now four years into its implementation, working towards our global 2030 goals. Chair, we cannot afford to remain passive; we are at a critical juncture where immediate action is required to address pressing environmental issues. This demands a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. We must take decisive action to resolve what has long been on our agendas.
Madam Chair, let us build on our existing strengths and capacities to implement the KM GBF effectively. Access to essential resources is crucial for planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and reviewing our biodiversity initiatives. We must support and empower Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) to take tangible actions against biodiversity loss. I strongly advocate for direct access to financial resources for IPLCs, complemented by capacity-building efforts to ensure effective implementation.
Under the motto of COP 16, “Make Peace with Nature,” we must recognize that the language of harmony with nature is embedded in indigenous and traditional practices that have endured for centuries. To forge effective and sustainable pathways for conserving our planet's natural resources, we must align science and development with traditional and indigenous knowledge.
Timely, predictable, and accessible financial resources are essential for Parties to fulfill their obligations under the Convention, including efforts related to the GBF and the Programme of Work on Island Biodiversity.
Once again, I stand in solidarity with my fellow Ministers from the Pacific Island Countries at COP 16, advocating for the meaningful implementation of the KM GBF.
Thank you.
Honourable Trevor Manemahaga, Minister for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Solomon Islands
Photo by IISD/ENB | Mike Muzurakis