Rwanda is calling on nations of the world to join hands and agree on an ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework at this UN Biodiversity Conference beginning tomorrow in Montreal, Canada. 

The UN Biodiversity Conference, also known as COP15, will convene nations to agree on a new set of goals for nature through the Convention on Biological Diversity post-2020 framework. The conference will be held in Montreal, Canada from 7-19 December 2022 under the theme “Ecological Civilization-Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth.”

At the conference, Rwanda will advocate for a strong and ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework with specific targets that can be implemented with the commensurate financing, technical support and technology transfer - underpinned by cooperation. The country will also call for increased transboundary collaboration to protect and restore biodiversity across borders. 

“We have a once in a generation opportunity to protect and restore biodiversity and reset our relationship with nature. At the UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, nations of the world must put nature first and agree on a new global framework that protects all life on earth. The biodiversity crisis is too urgent and too great to delay any longer,” said Rwanda’s Minister of Environment, Dr Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya.

The post-2020 global biodiversity framework will provide a strategic vision and a global roadmap for the conservation, protection, restoration and sustainable management of biodiversity and ecosystems for the next decade.

Rwanda is playing its part by protecting nature and restoring biodiversity and is committed to:

• Promote biodiversity conservation including revitalisation and expansion of national parks to contribute to the global target of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030, and 50% under protection by 2050
• Maintain at least 30% of the country’s forest cover, increasing carbon stocks and contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Prevent the extinction of threatened species particularly for those that are most at risk of extinction and restore species of ecological importance.
• Promote better understanding of biodiversity and climate change through the national curriculum and mainstreaming across the economy
• Promote transboundary collaboration in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development 
• Increase the resources and funds spent on biodiversity preservation and restoration from current 0.5-0.9% to 2% of the national GDP in line with the global goal to double the percentage of GDP spent on biodiversity preservation and restoration. 

Rwanda is a member of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People and the World Economic Forum Champions for Nature - a community of leaders disrupting business-as-usual to lead the way to a nature-positive global economy and halt nature loss by 2030.

At the UN Biodiversity Conference, Rwanda’s delegation will be led by Minister Jeanne d'Arc Mujawamariya, The delegation will participate in negotiations as well as side events and bilateral meetings with partners.

More Information 

• Learn more about how Rwanda is protecting nature and restoring biodiversity at www.rema.gov.rw. 
• Learn about Rwanda’s biodiversity through the country’s Biodiversity Information System here.

Media Contact

• Cyprien Ngendahimana, Communications Specialist, Rwanda Environment Management Authority at cngendahimana@rema.gov.rw or on +250 788 233 086.
• Basile Uwimana, Communication & Outreach Specialist, Ministry of Environment at buwimana@environment.gov.rw or +250 788 722 870.