30 March 2007, Quito, Ecuador. The Ecuadorian Ministers of Foreign Affairs, María Fernanda Espinosa, and of the Environment, Ana Albán, signed the Countdown 2010 Declaration yesterday. Through this act, Ecuador formally joins an active network of partners from all sectors working together to raise public attention on the challenge to save biodiversity by 2010, and to promote and assist the implementation of existing commitments on this issue.
“As one of the megadiverse countries, Ecuador is proud to join these distinct efforts to achieve the 2010 biodiversity target in the international context of the convention on biological diversity”, said Ana Albán, Minister of the Environment. The country had incorporated the 2010 biodiversity target in its National Biodiversity Strategy adopted in January this year.
María Fernanda Espinosa, Minister of Foreign Affairs, indicated that it would be a great honour for the Ecuadorian Government to contribute to the global efforts to reduce biodiversity loss on the planet. “The conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity has to be a shared global responsibility involving the international community, governments from north and south, civil society, scientists and indigenous peoples”, she added.
Espinosa also stressed that life styles and overconsumption of elites in north and south could contribute to the accelerated deterioration of ecosystems and biodiversity loss as well as climate change which existentially threatens the human security and well-being.
She also called for a stronger link between cultural and biological diversity, “because diverse forms of the relationship nature-society-culture are not only a guarantee for the conservation of biodiversity, but they also have the potential to change our understanding of development beyond material ac*****ulation and growth”.
Robert Hofstede, IUCN Regional Director for South America reminded participants of the importance of conserving biodiversity as a fundamental element for the provision of essential ecosystem services and ultimately sustainable development.
“IUCN wants to help all countries to achieve this 2010 biodiversity target and congratulates Ecuador and Perú as first South American nations to join this global initiative”, he concluded.
The Countdown 2010 Declaration was signed in presence of the South American Regional Committee of IUCN. The committee’s members – representatives of national environmental organisations – will now proceed to develop national approaches to Countdown 2010.