Calling Youth Inputs to the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 196 countries are currently discussing the post 2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) which will be adopted during the 15th Conference of Parties to the CBD (CBD COP 15), to be hosted in Kunming by the Chinese government. The Youth Voices on Post 2020 GBF provided a platform for youth to contribute to the draft GBF.

Co-organized by IUCN CEC, EU, UNEP, Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) and Grulac Junior, the meeting was held online on 20 August, 2021, with over 150 youth participants from Africa, China, Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean.

Hanying Li, Regional Vice Chair - East Asia, IUCN CEC​ and Fernando Casas, founder of GRULAC Junior​ made opening remarks. Ms. Li gave recognition to the enthusiasm of Asian youth participants towards this event and expressed her sincere expectation to all youth participants. Mr. Fernando encouraged youth to “work hard, go far and go together” in the field of international environment governance. Chantal Robichaud from the CBD Secretariat ​and Alexandru Ghiurca from European Union made further comments on this event. Ms. Robichaud highlighted the participatory feature in the making of GBF and encouraged youth engagement in more decision-making process. Mr. Ghiurca introduced the efforts of EU in addressing the global environmental challenges and emphasized the benefits of improved environmental governance at national and regional levels.

Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati​, the Head of Biodiversity programme, UNEP, ​provided an introduction to the draft GBF. The current version contains sections of the theory of change of the framework, 2050 vision and 2030 mission, 2050 goals and 2030 milestones, implementation support mechanisms and etc. It puts forward 4 goals and 21 targets indicating both long-term and short-term strategy. Mr. Pisupati​ affirmed the progress achieved regarding global biodiversity target development and called upon young people to participate and contribute more in relevant discussions.

 

Finland is the first country to include a youth representative in the official delegation  among all CBD parties. Emma Koroliina Sairanen from Finnish official delegation shared her experiences as a youth delegate for Climate and Biodiversity. Emma encouraged young people to be open-minded and take active part in activities launched by international organizations. Additionally, Swetha Stotra Bhashyam ​unfolded activities organized worldwide by Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) from an insider’s perspective.

During the discussion session, youth were able to raise their questions and share their recommendations directly with the panelists. After the meeting, the organizers continued to collect suggestions and comments through a web-based questionnaire. All inputs will be consolidated and shared with the CBD Working Group which is drafting the GBF.

This event served as a fruitful advocacy for meaningful youth engagement related to the future of biodiversity.

 

Authors:

Peilin Zhang, Master student, School of International Studies, Zhejiang University

Hanying Li, IUCN CEC Regional Vice Chair for East Asia