SECRETARY-GENERAL SEES DESTRUCTION OF WETLANDS, FORESTS, MARINE AND COASTAL HABITATS AS 'THREAT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS'
Press Release
SG/SM/6840
OBV/83
SECRETARY-GENERAL SEES DESTRUCTION OF WETLANDS, FORESTS, MARINE AND COASTAL HABITATS AS 'THREAT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS'
19981216 Message for Biological Diversity Day Says Human Activity Worsened Damage from Hurricane Mitch; Calls for Bio-Safety ProtocolThis is the text of a message from Secretary-General Kofi Annan to mark the observance of the International Day for Biological Diversity on 29 December:
The threat to biodiversity is a threat to every species on earth. We cannot continue to destroy wetlands, forests, marine and coastal habitats with impunity; the destruction caused by humankind now will, in turn, threaten to destroy future generations.
On this fifth anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity, I would like to highlight two issues. First, the need to recognize and act on the vital interrelationships between this and other related conventions, international processes and programmes to realize sustainable development. Second, the importance of a successful conclusion to the negotiations on a bio-safety protocol within the framework of the Convention.
Global environmental problems, such as the loss of biological diversity, deforestation, land degradation and desertification are interlinked. They are driven by the same forces. The magnitude of the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch was due not only to the severity of the hurricane, but also to the damaged ecological resilience of the area, which in turn depends on the biological health of the ecosystems. Now, the prospects for rebuilding in the region are equally dependent on the health of these ecosystems.
The same applies to many of the issues on the agenda of the United Nations. Natural resource and land-use management issues are central elements to biodiversity, conservation and sustainable development. The ecological reality of these interrelationships must be reflected in our political, legal and economic responses.
This interdependence has been recognized in the Convention on Biological Diversity and in the way the United Nations seeks to address environmental and developmental issues in general. Indeed, the fundamental premise of sustainable development is that neither environmental nor developmental issues can be addressed in isolation. The challenge facing us today lies not only in acknowledging this link, but in acting on it. That means organizing our activities in a way which builds on the work of others. It means working together, rather than separately -- or even at cross purposes.
We can see an example of such cooperation, synergy and harmony at work in efforts to implement the Rio conventions -- particularly in the links that are being developed regarding forests, marine and coastal ecosystems, and arid and semi-arid ecosystems, information management and national capacity building. I urge the rest of the international community to support these efforts in whatever way possible.
Negotiations on a protocol to address trans-boundary movement of living modified organisms are drawing to a close. Even though biotechnology has considerable potential to contribute to our development, it may, like other new technologies, also bring negative impact. I applaud the precautionary approach demonstrated by the Parties to the Convention negotiating this protocol. It should serve as an example for how we address other topics on the sustainable development agenda. Many difficult issues remain outstanding in these negotiations. To adopt and implement a protocol on biosafety will require considerable trust and understanding on the part of all countries concerned. I therefore urge governments and all others involved to approach the meeting in Cartagena in early 1999 in a constructive and flexible manner. We will need all your creativity and positive thinking to succeed.
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