It was reached by 190 countries under the auspices of China

Historic agreement on biodiversity in «COP 15» in Montreal

Chinese President of the Conference Huang Runqiu.

Reuters

Countries around the world reached a historic agreement yesterday in Montreal to stem the decline of biodiversity and its resources that are indispensable to humanity.

After more than four years of difficult negotiations and 10 days and nights of a diplomatic marathon, more than 190 countries reached an agreement under the auspices of China, President of the COP15 Conference, despite the opposition of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Treaty of Peace with Nature, officially known as the Kunming-Montreal Agreement, aims to protect land, oceans, and species from pollution, degradation, and the climate crisis.

In particular, the countries agreed on a road map that includes, among its goals, protecting 30% of the planet by 2030, and allocating $30 billion in annual aid to developing countries in their efforts to conserve nature.

"The agreement has been adopted," said the Chinese president of the conference, Huang Runqiu, during the plenary session, which was held at night in Montreal time, before announcing the adjournment of the meeting amid warm applause from the delegates who looked tired.

"Together we have taken a historic step," said Environment Minister of Canada, which hosted the conference, Stephen Guilbo.

The most famous measure adopted by the conference among its 20 measures, which calls for the establishment of protected sites on 30% of the planet's surface, was presented as being as important in the field of biodiversity as the goal of the Paris Agreement aimed at limiting climate warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Currently, 17% of the land and 8% of the sea are protected areas.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, for her part, praised the "historic result" of this agreement, which "complements" the Paris climate agreement.

And she declared, "The world has become a work path to move towards a sustainable economy by 2050."

The agreement reached also provides guarantees to indigenous peoples who are custodians of 80% of the biodiversity remaining on Earth.

The document recommends restoring 30 percent of degraded lands and halving the risks associated with pesticides.

In an effort to solve the financial issue that is still controversial between the countries of the North and the South, China proposed that the annual international assistance allocated to biodiversity reach "at least 20 billion dollars" by 2025 and "at least 30 billion dollars by 2030."

"The majority of people consider it better than what was expected of both parties, whether for rich or developing countries, and this reflects a good agreement," said Gabon's Minister of the Environment, Lee White, in statements to Agence France-Presse.

For Masha Kalinina of the NGO Pew Charitable Trusts, “protecting at least 30% of land and seas by 2030 is our new polar star that will guide us on our path to nature rehabilitation.”

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