At a high-level event convened by global conservation organisation WWF, President Danny Faure joined fellow Heads of State and Government from more than 45 countries, the President of the European Commission for the European Union and other non-state actors to commit to reverse nature loss by the end of the decade.

The Leaders’ Pledge for Nature: United to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 for Sustainable Development sees leaders pledging to undertake urgent actions as part of the UN Decade of Action to achieve Sustainable Development, including on the road to the Convention on Biological Diversity COP in 2021. It comes days ahead of the UN Summit on Biodiversity, sending a strong, united signal that the world must step up ambition to halt and reverse nature loss for the benefit of people and nature and to help tackle climate change.

During the high-level event, through a pre-recorded video statement, President Faure said, “COVID-19 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences if we continue to inflict unchecked damage to our environment. Humanity’s impact on the climate and biosphere causes more disease outbreaks and creates new channels for human exposure. COVID-19 is a wake-up call to remind us that we are the guardians of this planet and must act accordingly. We understand this well in Seychelles, where on 26 March this year, as the pandemic raged across the world, Seychelles delivered on our commitment to protect 30 per cent of our 1.34 million square kilometre exclusive economic zone,” said the President.

At the event, leaders committed to meaningful action and mutual accountability to address the planetary emergency, working with all parts of society and meeting at milestone events including UNGA 2021 to review progress and reaffirm commitments.

“The interests of our peoples and our planet have never been more strongly aligned. I call on all Leaders to rally around this cause and rapidly move towards the transformative change required,” urged President Faure.