During the recent UN CBD meetings in Nairobi, Kenya (SBSTTA-28, followed by SBI7), Climate Lens News, the African newsroom aiming to increase awareness and understanding of the value of еnvironment protection, had the opportunity to interview the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Astrid Schomaker.

During this interview, the UN CBD Executive Secretary shared more details on the developments in the 23 KMGBF targets, mentioning the recently released State of Biodiversity Action report. The report shows encouraging progress in areas such as expanding protected and conserved areas, restoring degraded ecosystems, tackling pollution and managing invasive alien species - but fewer than half of Parties to the Convention reported being on track in any of these areas. 

Moreover, Schomaker put a spotlight on Africa as a home of a large percentage of the global biodiversity. According to her, protecting African biodiversity is important not only for the continent but for biodiversity on a global level. 

Additionally, the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity commented on biodiversity finance, explicitly stating that estimations show that for every $1 invested in nature, $30 is invested in activities that undermine it - a ratio that the KMGBF aims to help close, alongside the broader target of closing the estimated $700 billion gap in global biodiversity finance. She highlighted the role of financial mechanisms such as the Cali Fund that address this gap. 

Finally, Astrid Schomaker highlighted the role of indigenous people and local communities in achieving the global biodiversity targets.

As COP17 approaches - to be held in Yerevan, Armenia, where Parties will conduct the first Global Review of Collective Progress under the KMGBF - the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity recommends focusing on delivering existing commitments and identifying implementation gaps, rather than setting new goals.

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