ONEP calls for joint efforts to enhance biodiversity protection in Thailand and achieve recently adopted global biodiversity goals

In December 2022, nearly 200 countries met in Montréal, Canada at the UN Biodiversity Conference CBD COP15. In a groundbreaking move forward, they adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The GBF sets out clear goals and targets to urgently halt the global loss of biodiversity, protect our vital ecosystems and enhance restoration efforts.

To disseminate the key results and take-aways from the international conference to stakeholders in Thailand, on 30 January 2023, ONEP invited more than 240 participants from governmental agencies, civil society organisations, private companies, academic and international organisations to a debriefing symposium at Carlton Hotel Sukhumvit.

Secretary General of ONEP Dr. Phirun Saiyasitpanich emphasized that biodiversity loss and climate change are interconnected and present unprecedented challenges to humanity. ONEP is the focal point for biodiversity management in Thailand and in the process of developing the national policy framework to set Thailand on the path to the domestic implementation of the global targets while involving all relevant stakeholders in the country.

Mr. Hans-Ulrich Südbeck, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the German Embassy to Thailand, and GIZ Country director, Mr. Reinhold Elges, underlined that strong cooperation relationships, such as the one between Thailand and Germany, are needed to tackle the twin crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss. With the support of the International Climate Initiative (IKI), a new project implemented by GIZ is supporting Thailand’s transition a low-carbon, climate-resilient and nature-positive pathway.

The panel discussion that concluded the event highlighted different concepts and initiatives that can help Thailand achieve the target to protect 30% of land and water areas by 2030 (“30×30” target), share benefits from the use of biodiversity and genetical resources in a fair and equitable way and make tourism and conservation a win-win situation.

Hashtags: CBD, GBF, 30×30, IKI, biodiversity, nature-positive