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On 10 June, HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco closed a historic meeting of biodiversity and Antarctic experts. The purpose of the meeting was to examine the extent to which conservation of the biodiversity of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean is realizing a set of ambitions agreed for the world as part of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity welcomes Pope Francis' call to action in the face of global biodiversity loss, climate change and environmental degradation.

As we celebrate this year's World Day to Combat Desertification, the message could not be clearer; in order to attain food security for all through sustainable food systems we must invest in our land. Soils represent at least a quarter of global biodiversity. It is the basis for the food people eat, the feed for their livestock, the fuel they use to cook with and the production of fibres for clothes and other uses.

Statement by Mr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, on the occasion of Désertif'Actions 2015: Forum international « Désertification et société civile », Montpellier, France, 10-13 June 2015

Oceans are essential for supporting life on Earth and for human well-being. The oceans cover more than 70 per cent of our planet, and over 40 per cent of the world's population (almost 3 billion people) lives within 100 kilometres of the coast. And while oceans remain one of the least explored areas of our planet, their importance cannot be underestimated

As governments from around the world prepare to adopt the sustainable development goals and targets later this year, it is particularly fitting that this year's World Environment Day is being celebrated under the theme of resource efficiency and sustainable consumption and production. The well-being of humanity, the environment, society and the economy depends on the responsible use and management of the earth's natural resources.

Healthy communities rely on well-functioning ecosystems. They provide clean air, fresh water, medicines and food security. They also limit disease and stabilize the climate. But biodiversity loss is happening at unprecedented rates, impacting human health worldwide, according to a new state of knowledge review of the Convention on Biological Diversity and World Health Organization. The report, Connecting Global Priorities: Biodiversity and Human Health, was launched today in Brussels at Green Week 2015

Statement of Mr. Braulio F. de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, on the occasion of the Celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Reintroduction of Pere David's Deer, 22 May 2015, Beijing, China

Statement of Mr. Braulio F. de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, on the occasion of the Celebration of International Day for Biological Diversity Organized by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of China, 22 May 2015, Beijing, China

On this International Day for Biological Diversity, let us recommit to global action to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss, for people and for our planet.