Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
111. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of his plans to participate in the upcoming COP15 on biological diversity in Kunming, China; his involvement and Ireland’s role in the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46333/21]
View answerCOP15 will be convened in two parts. The first part takes place in virtual format from 11 to 15 October 2021. The second part will reconvene in Kunming from 25 April to 8 May 2022.
On 12 and 13 October, I will participate in the High Level Segment of part 1. Over the past year, I have taken part in several international initiatives addressing the biodiversity crisis, including the One Planet Summit hosted by France in January. Ireland has also signed up to the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, a global initiative to mobilise political will for a new and transformative global biodiversity framework at COP15.
My Department's National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has already participated in preparatory meetings for COP15, namely SBSTTA-24 and SBI-3. While officials normally attend in person, these meetings have been held virtually as a result of the global pandemic.
NPWS is involved in ongoing work at EU level to develop and agree strong positions for the EU and its Member States at COP15 through regular meetings of the Working Party on International Environment Issues (Biodiversity).
The Irish delegation to COP15 includes officials from NPWS as well as officials from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
