Global cooperation on biodiversity and cultural diversity conservation highlighted at COP17

A side event focusing on biodiversity conservation, cultural diversity, and multilateral cooperation was held at the China Pavilion during COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia, on Wednesday.

More than 100 representatives from governments, international organizations, research institutions, social organizations, and businesses attended the event, according to a media release from the Policy Research Center for Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Ecology and Environment on Thursday.

Representatives discussed how countries can work together to protect biodiversity and advance the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the research center that hosted the event, said.

Adopted under China's presidency of COP15 in late 2022, the framework sets four long-term goals for 2050 and 23 action-oriented global targets for 2030. One of the targets calls for at least 30 percent of degraded terrestrial, inland water, marine, and coastal ecosystems to be under effective restoration by 2030.

The center said participants in the side event stressed that cultural diversity and traditional knowledge can support biodiversity conservation. They called for greater dialogue among civilizations and stronger multilateral cooperation to address global biodiversity loss.

It said they also highlighted the importance of combining scientific knowledge with the ecological wisdom of local and Indigenous communities.

Two English-language research reports were released at the event: one introduced China's progress in building beautiful villages, while the other explained China's innovations in environmental legislation and their possible contribution to global environmental governance.

During a roundtable discussion, representatives shared examples of biodiversity conservation from different parts of China. These included efforts to protect biodiversity in cold regions, preserve ethnic cultures alongside forest ecosystems, develop clean energy, and combine solar power generation with ecological restoration.

An exhibition area also presented local conservation practices from China, allowing international delegates to learn more about how biodiversity protection can support communities and improve livelihoods.

The event called on countries to respect cultural diversity, uphold multilateralism, and turn the goals of the Kunming-Montreal framework into practical and measurable action, the research center said.