Act promptly to restore biodiversity: UN Secretary General

Kathmandu, May 24: UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has reminded the world governments that it was time to act immediately for the recovery of biodiversity.     

Giving a message on the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, the Secretary General said, "The world’s complex web of biological diversity sustains all life on earth. Yet it is unravelling at alarming speed – and humanity is to blame."     

He further reminded that land, oceans, and freshwater were contaminated with deadly pollution, causing severe blight on landscapes and ecosystems. The greenhouse gas emissions are wreaking havoc on climate, the Secretary General added.     

According to him, biodiversity loss has a direct role to dent sustainable development, which, he argued, would usher humanity to uncertainty.     

"The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework offers a pathway to reverse loss and restore biodiversity – while creating jobs, building resilience, and spurring sustainable development," Guterres said.     

The UN chief also recalled the significance of this year's slogan, 'Part of the Plan' where all of us have role to play. "Indigenous Peoples, business, financial institutions, local and regional authorities, civil society, women, young people, and academia must work together to value, protect and restore biodiversity in a way that benefits everyone," he underlined.     

He sought commitment from all stakeholders to be part of the plan and save the planet, thereby ensuring sustainable future.     

The UN Environment Programme stated, "'Be part of the Plan', the theme of International Day for Biological Diversity, 2024, is a call to action for all stakeholders to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, also referred to as the Biodiversity Plan."     

The Biodiversity Plan was adopted in 2022.(RSS)