United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, International Kick-Off Event

December 17-19, 2011

 

2011 marks the beginning of the 10-year period from 2011-2020 of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNDB).

In an effort toward implementing the Aichi Biodiversity Targets adopted at the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP10), the United Nations has been doing its utmost to promote initiatives aimed at biodiversity preservation.

Aiming to build international and domestic momentum for the integration of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets as well as to provide assistance to developing nations, the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity was officially launched at an event held from December 17 – 19 at various venues in Ishikawa Prefecture, such as the Ishikawa Ongakudo.

At the commemoration ceremony held on December 17, over 600 participants representing governments and organizations from 30 nations around the globe were in attendance as Japanese and UN organizations gave keynote speeches and presented activity reports.

Aimed at providing a greater understanding of biodiversity preservation to an even greater audience, the December 18 commemoration forum included a presentation from Governor Tanimoto on the revival of the Crested Ibis in Ishikawa as well as a panel discussion focused on finding ways to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets through the UNDB.

On December 19, representatives from participating nations were introduced to the beauty of Ishikawa’s Satoyama and Satoumi by taking part in excursions to sites including Wajima’s Thousand Rice Fields (senmaida) as well as Kaga’s Kamoike Observation Center.

As the host of this kick-off event, Ishikawa Prefecture hopes to further enhance and strengthen local efforts in Ishikawa directed toward providing a meaningful contribution to the implementation of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.