“Ecological civilization – building a shared future for all life on Earth” is the theme for the UN Biodiversity Conference – COP15 being held in two parts between 2021 and 2022 in Kunming, China. Parties are expected to adopt a new effective post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework to get us on track to reach the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2050 vision of “living in harmony with nature”.

Regions4 and the constituency of subnational governments continue to advocate for nature and the adoption of an inclusive new global framework. The Scottish Government, led in 2020 the Edinburgh Process, which resulted in the Edinburgh Declaration, a collective effort representing the high-level political objectives of subnational and local governments, and their aspirations for the framework and its implementation.

As a key partner of the process, Regions4 and the Advisory Committee on Subnational Governments and Biodiversity strongly support the Edinburgh Declaration, which remarkably demonstrates the commitment of subnational authorities to work alongside the CBD and other interested parties to deliver for nature over the next decade.

We are delighted to continue collaborating with our partners the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, the Government of Québec, ICLEI, the European Committee of the Regions, and the Group of Leading Subnational Governments toward the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (GoLS).

Join us!

By signing the Declaration regional governments will:

1. Join a large group of leaders from across the globe who are asking the CBD Parties to take strong and bold actions to bring about transformative change;
2. Promote the recognition of the vital role of subnational governments, cities, and local authorities in delivering the post-2020 GBF;
3. Advocate to further amplify the legacy of landmark Decision X/22 and the adoption of a new Plan of Action for subnational governments, cities, and local authorities within the post-2020 GBF, providing the mechanisms to facilitate their contributions for the implementation of the new global biodiversity targets; and,
4. Call for a multi-stakeholder platform that ensures representation of subnational governments, cities, and local authorities to support the implementation of the new framework.

Find out more

>> Access Regions4’s step-by-step guide on how to join

>> Access the Edinburgh Declaration in English | Spanish | French | Portuguese

>> Learn more about Regions4 advocacy work through the Advisory Committee on Subnational Governments and Biodiversity