Xi to address high-level segment of COP15

President Xi Jinping will address the opening ceremony of the high-level segment of the second part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, or COP15, via video link on Thursday.

Hopes are high that China will reinforce its commitment and actions on biodiversity protection and on building a shared future for all life during the three-day meeting in Montreal, Canada, observers said.

While speaking at the Leaders' Summit of COP15, which was held in Kunming, Yunnan province, in October last year, Xi announced China's initiative to establish the Kunming Biodiversity Fund and take the lead by investing 1.5 billion yuan ($216 million) to support biodiversity protection in developing countries.

He emphasized the need to respect nature, follow nature's laws, protect nature and build a homeland of harmonious coexistence between man and nature.

The high-level segment will take place at ministerial level. The overall objective will be to gain the support of ministers for the final stages of the negotiations on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and related decisions, with a view to ensuring a successful outcome of the conference, including adoption of an effective post-2020 biodiversity framework.

It will also provide an opportunity for ministers and leaders of international organizations, indigenous peoples and local communities and civil society to announce significant actions and commitments in support of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

As president of COP15, China has spared no effort to lead and coordinate the negotiation process for a post-2020 biodiversity framework, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular news conference last week.

China will continue to play its role as president of COP15, closely cooperate with all parties and stakeholders toward the conclusion of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and successful completion of all items on COP15's agenda, and contribute to the full attainment of the three main objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity — conservation, sustainable use and sharing of the benefits of biodiversity, Mao said.

Interests and priorities differ among stakeholders at the meeting, analysts said, with the main differences including mobilization of financial resources, access to digital sequence information, planning, monitoring and review.

The parties have been working hard to seek consensus, according to Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, executive secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. "They are making progress, but more still needs to be done," Mrema told reporters.

Rena Li in Montreal contributed to this story.