Ministerial on Nature: Chair’s Summary

Squamish, British Columbia

August 23, 2023

On August 23, 2023, on the margins of the Global Environment Facility Assembly meetings, Canada organized a Ministerial on Nature to advance global momentum on biodiversity and the implementation of the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), following its historic adoption at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This meeting provided an informal and high-level political platform for cross-regional engagement on advancing shared global commitments on biodiversity, ahead of COP16 and other major international events. This meeting was attended by ministers from all regions, including Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas, as well as the acting Executive Secretary of the Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility.

Ministers took stock of the successes, challenges, and opportunities on the implementation of the KMGBF. They shared views on achieving ambitious biodiversity outcomes in the lead up to COP16 in 2024. Ministers discussed perspectives and experiences on aligning resource flows with the implementation of the new Framework, including the critically important issue of resources mobilization from all sources through engagement of governments, the private sector, financial sectors, and philanthropy. Many also pointed to the key role of multilateral institutions, such as regional development banks, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. For the busy two years ahead, ministers discussed the road to COP16 and committed to maintaining global ambition on biodiversity.

Canada was pleased to announce the launch of the Nature Champions Network during the Ministerial on Nature. The goal of the Network is for countries to step up and champion various key elements of the KMGBF and ensure that the momentum gained in Montréal at COP15 is maintained. Ministers welcomed the Nature Champions Network and called upon Nature Champions to advance global ambition on KMGBF implementation without duplicating efforts. Ministers called upon Nature Champions to secure full ministerial participation across regions, including membership from countries in biodiversity hot spots.

Implementing the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework 

Facilitated by Matthew Samuda, Jamaica’s Minister of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Ministers reaffirmed the importance of urgent implementation of the KMGBF. Ministers welcomed the Ministerial on Nature and acknowledged this meeting as the first high-level global political meeting focused specifically on biodiversity and the KMGBF since COP15 in December 2022. Ministers addressed the regional considerations, challenges, and strengths in implementing the new Framework. Ministers shared their progress and the importance of inclusivity in updating National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). Recognizing the approaching deadline to update or revise NBSAPs by COP16 in 2024, Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to meeting this important milestone. Ministers noted the importance of capacity building, knowledge exchange, and cooperation in support of full global achievement of shared commitments on biodiversity. They highlighted early successes, opportunities, challenges, and gaps in the implementation of the KMGBF.

Ministers called for greater collaboration between countries on technical cooperation and knowledge exchange to support KMGBF commitments on capacity building. Recognizing the varied economic and technical circumstances globally, Ministers committed to sharing expertise and knowledge through existing initiatives and multilateral forums addressing biodiversity ambition, as well as the Nature Champions Network.

In discussing challenges, Ministers noted that limited biodiversity data, human and financial resources, and technical expertise are challenges for successful implementation of the KMGBF, and NBSAP development. Despite these challenges, Ministers remained hopeful, and emphasized the importance of access to ambitious global initiatives and biodiversity financing, which support the full implementation of the KMGBF.

Aligning Resource Flows with Implementation

Guided by Trudy Harrison, the United Kingdom’s Minister for Natural Environment and Land, Ministers reaffirmed the importance of aligning resource flows with the implementation of the KMGBF. Ministers discussed how best to scale up funding from all sources in fulfillment of the Framework commitments on resource mobilization, including opportunities to engage the private sector, philanthropy, and Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs). Ministers welcomed the approval of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council and look forward to its ratification at the GEF Assembly this week.

Ministers underscored the need for leadership and concrete actions on resource mobilization to effectively close the biodiversity financing gap and meet the goals agreed to within the KMGBF. The Framework commits to mobilize at least US$200 billion per year globally by 2030, including the $20 billion resource mobilization goal to developing countries by 2025 and the $30 billion by 2030. They noted the importance of inclusivity, involving Indigenous peoples, capacity building, and knowledge exchange, replicating successful approaches and engaging the private sector and philanthropy.

Building on the momentum of COP15, Ministers noted the importance of eliminating incentives harmful to biodiversity and aligning financial flows with Framework objectives without compromising on ambition. Ministers acknowledged that successful implementation of the KMGBF is dependent on leveraging the required domestic and international resources and reaffirmed their commitment to meet the COP15 outcomes related to resource mobilization. Ministers also highlighted the need to enhance the role of MDBs in leveraging resources to implement the KMGBF.

Nature Champions Network  

The Nature Champions Network was launched by Canada, following inclusive discussions and with support from participating Ministers. This network of Ministers will advocate for the rapid implementation of the new Framework to support continued global ambition for nature. Ministers agreed that the Nature Champions will convene regularly to share progress and lessons learned in implementing the KMGBF, identify gaps, and promote continued political momentum toward halting and reversing biodiversity loss, both at home and abroad. Several Ministers indicated their interest in becoming Nature Champions, acknowledging the need to also reach out to countries who were not present at the event. Nature Champions will leverage all available opportunities to press for political commitment to achieve the Framework toward COP16, and ultimately to 2030, while increasing international awareness of the KMGBF across all forums. Ministers noted the importance of avoiding duplication of efforts while underlining the critical role that biodiversity plays in achieving broader global international goals, including on climate and sustainable development. Ministers agreed that Nature Champions will convene regularly, and may wish to provide relevant progress reports to COP16 and future meetings.

Ministers recognize the importance of working in close collaboration with the COP15 Presidency and the CBD Secretariat to maintain high ambition on the delivery of the KMGBF. Ministers agreed to work collaboratively to advance biodiversity action through relevant multilateral forums and events, including the United Nations General Assembly and the 28th session of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which provides Nature Champions an opportunity to profile the first anniversary of the KMGBF, as well as other events, such as the Global Nature Positive Summit to be hosted by Australia in the second half 2024. In this regard, the Nature Champions will work to promote climate and biodiversity action as mutually reinforcing.

Next Steps and the Road to COP16

In closing the Ministerial on Nature, Minister Guilbeault thanked all participants for their invaluable contributions. He noted that participants recognized that the implementation of the KMGBF goals is conditional upon financial resources. He acknowledged the need to continue to involve citizens and institutions, and integrate nature and nature-based solutions in decision-making. He noted the opportunity that the KMGBF offers as a path forward, with a long-term vision and goals to transform our societies and our economies and make nature our ally as we tackle global challenges, such as climate change and its devastating impacts. Building on comments from Ministers and participants in the room, he reiterated the need to mainstream biodiversity, starting from education, and include climate work and discussions. Minister Guilbeault echoed the COP15 Presidency on the importance of updating biodiversity plans and to use all tools, such as legislation, to accelerate the implementation of biodiversity goals.

Minister Guilbeault highlighted that, to keep up the momentum, the Nature Champions Network will aim to amplify and track initiatives that are already operational, and he looks forward to welcoming new ones that were announced during the Nature Ministerial. He thanked the Ministers for their support in launching the Nature Champions Network, and invited all Ministers to join the Network to galvanize collective efforts and focus actions everywhere toward the achievement of KMGBF commitments. The identification of co-champions for thematic areas critical to successful KMGBF implementation will proceed in the coming weeks.