International Cooperation, Durable Partnerships Vital to Safeguarding Biodiversity of Small Island Developing States, Says Deputy Secretary-General

Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the launch of the Small Island Developing States Coalition for Nature, in Montreal today:

I thank the Governments of Cabo Verde, Seychelles and Samoa for organizing this event and for their invitation.  As we gather in Montreal to shape a global biodiversity framework, we have the opportunity to secure a historic landmark for nature.

In this wave of global support for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, small island developing States are pioneers of biodiversity, demonstrating their intrinsic link to nature, fundamental to their livelihoods and identity.

Simply put, small island developing States have shown that when you talk about nature, you talk about small island developing States.  They harbour 19 per cent of coral reefs, while 30 per cent of oceans and seas are included in their exclusive economic zones.  Their geographic isolation also means they are home to an array of unique and endemic plants and animals, some found nowhere else on Earth.

Despite a host of development challenges, they have made protecting biodiversity a top priority — leading by example to overcome hardships, increase their environmental resilience and protect their socioeconomic development, which depends on biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources.