The High Level Ministerial Segment Of The 11th Conference of The Parties (COP) For The Convention On Biological Diversity (CBD)

STATEMENT

By

HON. DATO SRI DOUGLAS UGGAH EMBAS

MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT MALAYSIA

AT THE HIGH LEVEL MINISTERIAL SEGMENT OF THE 11TH CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (COP)

FOR THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (CBD)

Hyderabad, India

16 - 19 October 2012

  Namaste and a very good afternoon,

Her Excellency Madam Jayanthi Natharajan
Minister of Environment and Forest
India

Dr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias
Executive Secretary
Convention on Biological Diversity

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be invited to deliver Malaysia’s statement at this very important meeting in this enchanting city of Hyderabad. Let me at the outset, take this opportunity to congratulate the Government of India for the excellent hosting of the 11th Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP-11, CBD) and I would like to record Malaysia’s appreciation of the warm hospitality extended to our delegation.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

2. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Since then, we have treaded 20 years of an arduous journey and faced challenges in the pursuit of sustainable development. This was carried out by implementing the CBD initiatives through domestic actions, complemented by international cooperation in conserving biodiversity and promoting its sustainable use to address biodiversity loss.

3. At COP 10 we had to acknowledge the reality that the 2010 Global Biodiversity Targets were not achieved. At Nagoya two years ago we agreed to an ambitious Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Targets. We failed however to agree to the mobilisation of financial resources which are vital for the attainment of this Plan and the Targets. Instead we postponed the adoption of financial targets to COP-11. I have been advised that the negotiations to agree on financial targets – even on an interim basis, have been stalled. We cannot afford to fail again.

4. As one of the twelve mega diverse countries in the world, Malaysia is committed to implement the Strategic Plan. We align ourselves with other developing countries in striving towards achieving the Aichi Targets. We wish to recall that in Nagoya, Parties agreed to this Strategy as part of a package relating to the other two components, namely, the Nagoya ABS Protocol and the mobilisation of financial resources. The implementation of the Strategic Plan by developing countries requires enormous financial and technical resources. These must be provided by developed countries in line with the principle of common but differentiated responsibility as stipulated in Article 20 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and reiterated recently in Rio+20. Accordingly we hope that the compromise made by Malaysia and other developing country parties in Nagoya to implement the Plan and the Targets is fully reciprocated by the developed country parties here in Hyderabad. This will complete the unfinished business from Nagoya and show our sincere collective commitment to save biodiversity and life itself.

5. As a reflection of our commitment we have strengthened our legal framework and enhanced the sanctions for violations under the Wildlife Conservation Act.

6. In meeting the Aichi Targets, Malaysia is currently implementing concrete conservation programmes such as Central Forest Spine (CFS), the Heart of Borneo and the Coral Triangle Initiatives, and the National Tiger Conservation Action Plan. We have also established 58 Marine Protected Areas and currently, we are managing 13 turtle hatcheries throughout the country. These initiatives cumulatively will bring us to the highest level of sustainable resource management. Our ambitious endeavour however, comes with substantial costs which motivates us to look forward to a successful partnership with the developed country parties.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

7. On the Nagoya Protocol, Malaysia is now in the midst of developing its national law to regulate its ABS mechanisms . This national law serves a dual purpose; firstly, to ensure that our resources are accessed in accordance with national requirements and ensure that benefits from the utilisation of biological resources are shared in a fair and equitable manner. Secondly, this law will set the legal framework for Malaysia to implement the third objective of the CBD including its related provisions. In this regard, we request for more capacity building activities on ABS especially among developing countries in the context of South-South cooperation in order to arrive at a common understanding of the Nagoya Protocol for its effective implementation. To this end, Malaysia is initiating several regional initiatives, especially with its Asian partners in the Like Minded Mega Diverse Countries as well as other countries in the Asian and ASEAN group of countries.

8. In closing, I would like to reiterate that Malaysia is sincerely committed to conserving and protecting our natural heritage and fully subscribe to the COP-11 theme, ‘Nature Protects, if she is Protected’.

Thank you.