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A Rocha at CDB COP15
A Rocha were at CBD COP15 in Montreal from 7-19 December. Read our response here.
Since 1970 there’s been an average decline of 69% in species populations, according to the latest Living Planet report. Biodiversity is in crisis putting the whole world at risk. The world’s top scientists are urging leaders to reach an ambitious agreement at this biodiversity summit.
In 1992 the world’s governments signed the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to work together to find a way to address this. The decision-making meetings of UN Conventions are called ‘Conference of Parties’ (COP). Many people will be familiar with these meetings happening for the UN’s Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Why is CBD COP15 so important?
It is arguably one of the most important COPs of recent years. CBD COP15 will review the implementation of targets set in 2010 (also known as the Aichi Biodiversity Targets) and take decisions on new targets for post-2020. This includes both short-term targets up to 2030 to get nature back on track and longer-term targets leading up to 2050.
It is hard to overstate how important these targets will be. As the decisive decade for our planet, we must set ambitious targets to bend the curve on biodiversity loss.
A Rocha's policy statement
IUCN position on the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
IUCN will be advocating for a post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework that sets coherent and ambitious goals and targets to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity by 2030.
IUCN urges parties to increase efforts, be bolder and more ambitious to finalize and adopt the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. IUCN calls on Parties to conclude negotiations in a spirit of collaboration and compromise for an ambitious framework that will catalyse the necessary action and change to achieve the vision of living in harmony with nature.
Read the IUCN position paper on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
A Rocha's response
Read more about our projects
Meet A Rocha at CBD
A Rocha International
As Director of International Operations, Sarah is responsible for oversight, strategic management and the flourishing of the A Rocha worldwide family in 21 countries. With crosscutting conservation and international development experience, Sarah works in the areas of environment education, alternative livelihoods for communities, climate, biodiversity and business, faith and conservation.
Cyrie draws vast knowledge and experience from her roles as: Global Director of Programme and Policy, IUCN, Switzerland, 2010-2021; Regional Coordinator, CIFOR, Cameroon, 2006-2010; Head of the Biosafety Programme, CBD Secretariat, Canada,1999-2005; Senior Programme Officer, UNEP, Kenya, 1995-1998; Research Fellow and Zoology PhD student, International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya, 1979-1991.
A Rocha Canada’s Board Chair, Don, has a law doctorate, focused on agriculture and food law, and a master’s in international development. He has served as an administrative judge and CEO of a national food and agriculture think-tank, and worked abroad in the areas of agriculture, food and the environment.
Luke is Chief Executive Officer of A Rocha Canada, based in British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba. He has held various roles within A Rocha Canada since 2009, including Ontario Director, Communications Director, and Community Relations and Marketing Manager, and serves on the Board of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities.
Paul is A Rocha Canada’s Conservation Science Director and advises A Rocha’s fisheries and aquatic projects, regarding invasive species, climate change, and overfishing, with the goal of balancing human use with biodiversity protection. He has worked at biological field stations in Southeast Asia, North America, East Africa and the Caribbean.
Samuel is A Rocha Canada’s Community Engagement Coordinator, and A Rocha International’s East Asia Coordinator for its Theology and Churches Global Programme. A former pastor licensed with The Alliance Canada, Samuel has worked for over 10 years to engage Asian communities in Canada and the Asian-Pacific region in creation care.
At A Rocha Canada, Madison is the CEO’s Executive Assistant and Ontario’s Communications and Administrative Assistant. She completed an M.Sc. in Environmental Sustainability at the University of Ottawa, gaining extensive knowledge about environmental governance and sustainable development, and works to support strong conservation programmes and policies, and love for creation.
A Rocha Ghana’s National Director, Seth, has an MBA in International Business and is a Chartered Management Accountant. For ten years, Seth has been central to formulating A Rocha Ghana’s conservation model involving community-based conservation, education and research. Seth has served on national and international committees regarding various conservation protocols.
Daryl is A Rocha Ghana’s Deputy National Director, and provides strategic direction to ensure the organisation’s sustainable growth. As its first field manager in Damongo, northern Ghana, Daryl contributed to the development of community-based, natural resource management projects around Mole National Park. He has earned several awards nationally and internationally.
A Rocha India’s National Director, Avinash’s primary focus lies on elephant conservation and technology-based approaches to reducing human-wildlife conflict at Bannerghatta National Park in Bangalore. He has over seven years experience in ecology and wildlife conservation, and a Masters in Wildlife Management and Conservation from the UK’s University of Reading.
Angeles is A Rocha Peru’s Board Chair and Director of Science and Conservation. She is visiting Professor at UNALM on the Conservation of Forest Resources and Applied Ecology Masters programme, and Sustainable Agriculture PhD programme. Angeles is consultant and researcher in areas of conservation, indigenous communities, ethnobotany and forest ecosystems.
A Prayer for the CBD
Lord God,
We pray for an end to the destruction of biodiversity and creation. We pray for the gifts of all God has made to be shared fairly, and to provide sustenance for communities and nations. We pray for just negotiations at the CBD, with courageous and wise outcomes. May obstructions to the process fail. May a vision of a world where nature flourishes be realised in our lifetimes.
Amen.