On the occasion of World Cities Day, 31 October 2022, under the theme of “Act Local to Go Global”, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), said that “cities need to be planning and preparing urban areas for a green, sustainable future, while also being the first responders to crises and emergencies with nature in the forefront of their minds.”
Cities are uniquely positioned to be the laboratory for human diversity and innovation, two concepts that are critical when facing the challenges these crises present, she pointed out.
The CBD Executive Secretary added: “The focus of COP 15 will be the adoption and implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and it is more important than ever. The draft framework is a comprehensive plan for transformative change in how we value nature, how we use our natural resources and how we protect our planet for generations. It includes ambitious, but achievable, targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, reinforce climate action, build sustainable cities and food systems, strengthen public planning, and redirect financial flow to support it all. To achieve these goals and targets, we need to see action in cities, citizens and governments around the wolrd. For if we do not act locally, we will not see change globally.”