OTTAWA, May 22, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of the Environment, issued the following statement to mark the 2013 edition of the International Day for Biological Diversity:
"Each year on May 22nd, countries around the world celebrate Biological Diversity Day, to increase understanding and awareness of the importance of biodiversity in the health of our planet, and the world we live in, now and for future generations.
"The Government of Canada plays a major part in the promotion and protection of biodiversity internationally, and is strongly committed to sustaining the variety of life that supports healthy communities and sustainable livelihoods in Canada. As a nation whose economy is dependent on biodiversity and ecosystems, Canada has long been a champion of effective implementation of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). We continue to be a proud host of the CBD Secretariat in Montreal, a role we have had the privilege to enjoy for more than 15 years.
"Canada's 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets are part of our Government's ongoing commitment to biodiversity. These goals and targets provide a comprehensive national strategy to preserve our unique flora and fauna. These measures also include a commitment to educating our next generation so that they, too, understand the importance of our ecosystems. Our Government is committed to the advancement of Canada's priorities in biological diversity, both domestically and internationally.
"Biodiversity issues also take a prominent place in the work of the Arctic Council, as demonstrated by the release last week of the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment, the first comprehensive review of the status and trends of Arctic biodiversity. Canada will chair the Arctic Council for the next two years, and in this role will continue to advance biodiversity and conservation in the Arctic region, including issues related to migratory birds.
"Biodiversity—the ecosystems, ecological processes, species and genes that are all around us—are essential to our existence. Our government and our partners, both domestically and abroad, are continuing to find innovative ways to meet this global challenge."
For more information on Environment Canada's work on biodiversity, please visit http://www.biodivcanada.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=DABC84B3-1.
For more information on Environment Canada's ecosystem initiatives, funding and incentive programs, and protection of species at risk, please visit http://www.ec.gc.ca/nature/Default.asp?lang=En&n=C5EDD32E-1.
SOURCE: Environment Canada
Mary Ann Dewey-Plante
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441
Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
Environment Canada's Twitter page: http://twitter.com/environmentca
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