Statement by YAMAGUCHI Tsuyoshi, Minister of the Environment, Japan, on May 22, International Day for Biological Diversity 2022, "Building a shared future for all life" (May 13, 2022)

Commemorating this year's International Day for Biological Diversity, I would like to share with all of you the sense of urgency to adopt an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

 

I believe that the Aichi Biodiversity Targets have greatly accelerated our efforts to conserve biodiversity of the whole world.
Unfortunately, however, targets remain to be reached. We must move now and build a robust PDCA cycle under the new framework.

 

Japan is already moving.

 

Last month, with the help of relevant ministries, I announced the "30by30 roadmap," to achieve the 30by30 target in Japan.
The government of Japan, together with local governments, business corporations and various civil bodies, will all work hard in unison to achieve this target.

 

We will promote Nature-based Solutions, hoping that they will contribute to building circular economy and stepping up climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. Through these efforts, we intend to solve social challenges that local communities face.

 

In the Japanese Diet, we will soon pass a bill for amending the Invasive Alien Species Act to strengthen measures against unintentional introductions of invasive alien species such as fire ants.
Preventing the introduction and establishment of invasive alien species, I believe, is an important element in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

 

Along with these domestic actions, Japan will promote international contributions.

 

I pledged on the occasion of the first part of the COP15 last year the second phase of the Japan Biodiversity Fund (JBF). Through this contribution, we will support the development and the revision of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in developing countries.

 

I hope you all agree that 458 Satoyama Initiative projects in 43 countries and regions have greatly contributed to the global achievement of the 30by30 target, and our knowledge and experience from these Satoyama Initiative projects, I believe, will further contribute to the global achievement of the 30by30 target.

 

Let us bring our minds together and adopt the ambitious post-2020 biodiversity framework. We must realize the 2050 vision, "Living in harmony with nature."

 

Together, we can do it.

 

Thank you.