Information meeting : Biodiversity post 2020

The Secretariat invites all Delegations to our information meeting in the context of Biodiversity post 2020, which will be held in Room Xl from 10 a.m. to 1.00 pm on Friday 7 February 2020. Simultaneous interpretation of the discussion will be provided in English and French.
The zero draft text on the post 2020 biodiversity framework will be presented and discussed.

Why is 2020 a 'super year' for biodiversity? What role for UNESCO?
The international community will take important decisions on our common future and the fabric of our earth "our biodiversity". The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Parties will debate the brand new deal for a post 2020 global biodiversity framework. It is expected that this process will culminate in the adoption of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework by the Conference of the Parties, at the UN Biodiversity Conference in 2020 in Kunming, China; this is a stepping stone towards achieving the 2050 Vision of "Living in harmony with nature". In its decision 14/34 the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a comprehensive and participatory process for the preparation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The zero draft text of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework was released to the public on 13 January 2020 (actually under consideration across the world).
Biodiversity is the living tissue of the planet. UNESCO's role is to support the diversity of living things around the world - by connecting humans and nature through science education, culture and communication. The loss of biodiversity may be overlooked in comparison with Global Climate
Change, but its effects are equally devastating for the face of our planet and for our social, environmental and economies well-being. Biodiversity loss threatens the rich cultural and natural heritage of humanity, as well as the living heritage and ways of life of communities across the globe.
UNESCO, the custodian Organization of knowledge and know-how that is respectful of biodiversity, is committed to addressing this vital challenge. Thanks to its interdisciplinary mandate including the exact, natural and social sciences, education and culture, UNESCO studies the various values of nature.
The Organization acts in the field of conservation, preservation, enhancement and transmission of biodiversity, and its sustainable use with ail Member States and via the UNESCO designated sites, in particular biosphère reserves ( 701 sites in 124 countries (including 21 transboundary sites), World Heritage sites and UNESCO World Geoparks, which represents an area equivalent to the size of China. These sites are tools for implementing the SDGs in ail ecosystems on the planet, including urban ones.
The Secretariat invites all Delegations to our information meeting in the context of Biodiversity post 2020, which will be held in Room Xl from 10 a.m. to 1.00 pm on Friday 7 February 2020. Simultaneous interpretation of the discussion will be provided in English and French.
The zero draft text on the post 2020 biodiversity framework will be presented and discussed.