A global assembly of various governments around the world to discuss progress in meeting biodiversity targets for 2020 recently commenced in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province, Republic of Korea.

Subnational leaders, United Nations representatives and environmental experts addressed the implementation of the Aichi Targets—global strategic goals which aim to mainstream biodiversity into municipal policy and society by confronting the underlying cause of biodiversity loss.

Since the previous summit in Hyderabad, India there have been improvements, such as the scientific assessment of nearly 75 per cent of the world’s oceans; however, many of this year’s attendees urged deeper involvement.

“It’s time that biodiversity is put front and centre on the international stage so that we can stop the mass extinction of species on the global scale, said Mayor Troy Pickard of Joondalup, Australia. “I know in my position as a mayor, I can make a difference, and so can you.”

Organized by ICLEI—Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in collaboration with the Government of Gangwon, the two-week summit produced a few promising outcomes.

One such accomplishment was the Gangwon and Pyeongchang resolution—a cooperation between cities and national governments to communally safeguard urban biodiversity.

This resolution, submitted to the CBD, aims to rally support for sustainable development goals, specifically urban sustainability and biodiversity conservation.

“The Gangwon and Pyeongchang Resolution is a strong and innovative statement, built on this strong foundation of dialogue, and a united voice from yourselves, that we are proud of, and we fully support the honourable governor Moonsoon Choi as he is elected to present the resolution to the high-level segment of the CBD COP,” said ICLEI president David Cadman as he handed over the final version of the text.

Canada is also developing national biodiversity goals inspired by the Aichi targets adopted in 2010. A couple of goals include the conservation of wetlands through restoration or management and the protection of at least 17 per cent of terrestrial areas and inland water.

This is the fourth year the conference’s governing body has considered text on subnational implementation, and the first year to focus explicitly on sustainable urbanization.