Almost 6,400 participants, including representatives of the countries parties, observer countries, and international organizations?attended the Thirteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP13) to negotiate agreements and commitments that give impulse to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity as well as the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi goals. COP13 activities and events will be held from 2-17 December 2016 at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico.

With the central theme, integration of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the plans, programs and sectoral and intersectoral policies with emphasis on agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism sectors, COP13 is composed of different simultaneous events, exhibitions, presentations, fairs, and forums.

This integration implies that biodiversity must be considered part of the functioning of the productive sectors, which seek to reduce, avoid and mitigate negative impacts, and generate positive effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services. In this way it contributes to sustainable development and the provision of essential services for human well-being is assured.

The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) will be spearheading a number of events in the COP13 which include: (1) CEPA Fair Side Event on the ACB-KfW Small Grants Programme Video Launch on 7 December; (2) COP13 Side Event on ASEANs Response to the Challenge of Biodiversity Loss on 16 December; and (3) the ASEAN Biodiversity Outlook Launch on 16 December. ACB also participated in the Mainstreaming Biodiversity Expo and the Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) Fair.

“COP13 is an opportune time for ACB to meet with partners, representatives of the ASEAN Member States, and potential partners in advocating for biodiversity conservation. On behalf of the Centre, I would like to congratulate the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Government of Mexico for the very successful conduct of COP13 in Cancun”, said ACB Executive Director Roberto V. Oliva. -end-