Restoring Ecosystems for a Better Homeland
2021-06-08 15:06

--Remarks by H.E. Ambassador CHEN Xu at the FAO/UNEP

Geneva Webinar Event on the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Geneva, 8th June 2021

 

Mr. Dominique Burgeon, Director of FAO Geneva Office,

Mr. Bruno Pozzi, Director of UNEP Europe Office,

Dear friends,

Let me begin with warm congratulations on the successful launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. It's a great pleasure to join celebrations in Geneva on the World Ocean Day.

Dear friends, the ongoing global fight against the pandemic once again testifies that mankind is a community with a shared future, and global solidarity is indispensable to cope with challenges, such as the pandemic, climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, etc. China strongly supports the launch and implementation of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, as it will further scale up international cooperation and promote sustainable development.

We believe that concerted efforts should be made in three aspects. First, take a holistic approach to align the implementation of the Decade with that of the 2030 Agenda, and adhere to systematic governance and restoration of the ecological environment so as to curb its degradation and keep the ecosystem in sound circulation. Second, seize the development opportunities brought by green transformation to build a better and greener world in the post-pandemic era. Third, improve global environment governance by upholding multilateralism and the principle of CBDR, and moving toward a comprehensive, balanced, ambitious and implementable Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

I'd like to share some of China's practices in this regard.

First, the right concept of guidance to expedite the mainstreaming of environmental protection in line with ecology-related SDGs. We incorporated ecological civilization and conservation into China's Constitution as well as its overall plan for building socialism with the Chinese characteristics. Based on the new development stage, the Chinese government follows the new development philosophy featuring innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared growth, and ecological conservation and restoration have become an important part of the 14th Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development.

Second, comprehensive measures to promote green and low-carbon development in an all-round way. By prioritizing ecological protection and green development, we inject strong impetus to high-quality development. A number of laws and regulations were promulgated to intensify protection of ecosystem; the Master Plan for the Major Projects for the Protection and Restoration of National Key Ecosystems (2021-2035) was unveiled in the interests of modernizing the ecosystem governing system. China's national carbon market will start trading. Moreover, a low-carbon lifestyle and sustainable consumption was advocated,with a view to promote green and high-quality recovery in all aspects.

Last but not least, international cooperation. China has signed and ratified a series of international environmental agreements, such as the Rio Conventions and the Paris Agreement. We took the initiative to launch the Belt and Road International Green Development Coalition. Under the framework of South-South cooperation, China undertook a number of environment management capacity-building projects, benefiting more than 80 developing countries. We now strive to peak carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, a strong indication of our commitment and contribution. As the host of CBD COP15, China is endeavoring to facilitate the adoption of an ambitious and balanced Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework(GBF) and contribute to a more just and equitable biodiversity governance system, which embodies the best efforts of all.

Dear friends, the Earth is our shared homeland. China stands ready to work together to restore ecosystems, advance green development, and embrace a brighter future.