KUALA LUMPUR – United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has praised Malaysia’s intensified efforts to combat deforestation and environmental degradation, recognising it as a global leader in biodiversity conservation.
In his opening remarks at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), held in Cali, Colombia, Guterres commended Malaysia alongside Brazil, Colombia, and Indonesia as nations actively working to counter forest loss.
Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, in Malaysia’s national address at the conference, which began on October 21 and runs until November 11, outlined Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable biodiversity management.
The minister said that as one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries housing 20% of all known animal species with forests over 100 million years old, Malaysia is determined to implement its National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) effectively.
This, he said, will be done by conducting baseline studies, developing a national monitoring system to measure progress and establishing a centre of excellence for biodiversity.
“Going into 2025, Malaysia has a bigger role as we take over the Asean chairmanship, with the region being rich with terrestrial and maritime biodiversity.
“The Asean biodiversity plan has been launched to collectively address (how) 660 million people (in the region) are threatened by biodiversity lost and highly susceptible to climate change,” Nik Nazmi added, noting that Puyrajaya is actively collaborating with the private sector to make biodiversity mainstream at national and global levels.
He added that as a custodian of abundant natural wealth, Malaysia has honoured the contribution of the indigenous people and local communities through its Community Ranger programme, which is aimed at protecting local forests and wildlife.
He stressed that while Malaysia acknowledges the support it has received from global biodiversity funds towards the full implementation of the NBSAP, there is a need for more adequate and easily accessible financial resources to achieve such goals.
He also highlighted an apparent discrepancy relating to how huge amounts of funds, which could be utilised for environmental betterment, are instead channeled to fueling disputes.
“Also pressing is the necessary capacity and technological transfer in accordance with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
“It is astounding that rich countries can spend increasing amounts of money in the trillions of dollars for war and conflict, but keep moving the goalpost in terms of providing assistance to developing megadiverse countries which are providing vital environmental services to the planet.”
Nik Nazmi affirmed that such matters have to be addressed urgently and equitably, saying: “Our flora and fauna as well as our children’s survival waits for no one. We cannot delay any longer.”
The CBD COP16 conference, held biannually, is attended by 196 party states to ensure the implementation of CBD obligations and set directions for biodiversity management to be followed by party states.
Malaysia ratified the CBD on June 24, 1994, affirming its commitment to conserving and sustainably using biodiversity while ensuring that the benefits derived from biodiversity are shared equitably. – October 30, 2024