UN calls for bold actions to meet biodiversity targets

NAIROBI, March 15 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations on Thursday called on its member Countries to make bold actions to meet the targets of a globally-agreed strategic plan for biodiversity by 2020.

"We need to inspire action for biodiversity and contribute to enhancing the implementation of the Strategic Plan for biodiversity 2011-2020," said UN deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed.

At a side event of the ongoing fourth session of UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Mohammed called on Countries to meet biodiversity targets as part of sustainable development goals to exploit the potential of nature-based solutions in the management of biodiversity.

She also urged Countries to support the design of "an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework for adoption at COP 15 (the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity)."

The Strategic Plan for biodiversity 2011-2020, including the Aichi biodiversity Targets, was agreed by the global community in 2010 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture of Japan.

The commitments reached in Nagoya are the best, but more actions are needed, said Inger Andersen, incoming executive director of United Nations Environment Programme.

Andersen also called on Countries to increase funding and political goodwill to meet the agreed targets within a set guideline.

"We need science-based solutions to the set targets through the strengthening of indigenous and traditional people," she added.