10th annual environmental convention opens
The 10th annual Convention on Biological Diversity opened in Nagoya, Japan, yesterday, bringing together reps from almost 200 countries. Japanese Environment Minister Ryo Matsumoto opened the convention by reminding the attendants of their (and all of humanity’s) responsibility to slow biodiversity loss before it becomes “irreversible.” Other opening speakers included Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, and Ahmed Djoghlaf, CBD Executive Secretary.The CBD is a lengthy event, lasting until October 29. This year is an especially noteworthy one for the event, as it marks both its 10th anniversary and the International Year of Biodiversity. This is leading up to the 2010 Biodiversity Target, which proposes a halt to biodiversity decline by the end of the year. It is our hope that the attendants will be able to set forth a thoughtful and appropriate planone that we can all embrace in a new decade of conservation.
