The 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 17) was held in Yerevan, Armenia, from July 24 to 30. The Comoros delegation, invited to the podium, highlighted the challenges facing the country's biodiversity, both on land and in the marine environment. They emphasized the importance of preserving this natural heritage and foundation for development. The Comoros' message stressed that without participatory and resilient management, continuous monitoring, and sufficient funding, conservation remains unattainable.
The COP 17 meeting was a call to action for the world to protect nature, particularly after the first global review of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in Canada on December 19, 2022. This framework aims to accelerate efforts to achieve the 2030 goals. The conference focused on evaluating the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its protocols, analyzing national reports, and revising certain articles to amend them fairly and equitably.
According to Abdourahmane Ali M'roipvili, Secretary General of the Comoros Ministry of Environment, the main issues at COP 17 concerned the global evaluation of the Convention's implementation and its protocols. The Comoros delegation, coordinated by the African group, defended the interests of small island developing states (SIDS), emphasizing their territorial and ecosystem vulnerability to climate shocks. They also stressed the need for simplified access to international emergency funding adapted to island realities and capacity building at all levels.
The Comoros delegation insisted that industrialized nations must honor their financial commitments to address biodiversity loss and climate change. M'roipvili explained that small island developing states, despite contributing minimally to the causes of the biodiversity crisis, are on the front lines of its impacts. Strong voices at the conference demanded urgent financing mechanisms to protect oceans and strengthen coastal zone resilience.
M'roipvili highlighted the importance of adopting an inclusive approach rooted in daily life, including co-management of resources with local communities and indigenous peoples. He emphasized the need to prioritize youth empowerment through green entrepreneurship and education, as well as gender involvement at all levels. Raising awareness about the connection between nature protection and vital issues like food security and climate risk prevention was also stressed.
The Comoros delegation's participation in COP 17 underscored the country's commitment to addressing biodiversity loss and climate change. Their message emphasized the need for collective action to preserve the natural world and ensure sustainable development. The conference provided a platform for SIDS to voice their concerns and advocate for support from the international community.
The outcomes of COP 17 will inform future efforts to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and address the global biodiversity crisis. The Comoros' experience and perspectives will contribute to the ongoing international dialogue on biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.
Key points
- The Comoros delegation emphasized the importance of preserving biodiversity and addressing climate change impacts at COP 17 in Armenia.
- Small island developing states, including Comoros, face significant challenges in preserving biodiversity due to their territorial and ecosystem vulnerability to climate shocks.
- Industrialized nations must honor their financial commitments to support biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation efforts in vulnerable countries.
