Our solutions are in nature: the EU & Costa Rica join forces on the International Day of Biodiversity

Ecosystems are essential to our health, well-being and economies. The EU and its partners strive for more ambitious protection of biodiversity. The EU works with its partners, and Costa Rica as a pioneering country in shaping an ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

For the International Biodiversity Day on 22 May, the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica (MINAE) and the “Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework-EU support project” launched a series of activities under the “Path towards mainstreaming biodiversity in Costa Rica national policy”. The activities comprise address principles of gender, equity and equality and aim to strengthen the country’s ability to contribute to a more ambitious post-2020 biodiversity framework during CBD COP15.

The kick-off ceremony of 22 May 2020 was opened by Mr Carlos Alvarado Quesada, President of Costa Rica. This year, the event was dedicated to the theme “Our solutions are in Nature” and received political backing from high-profile speakers, such as Costa Rica’s Minister for Environment and Energy, Mr Carlos Manuel Rodriguez.

The Ministers of Health, Tourism and the Environment and Energy engaged in a live discussion on the economic opportunities related to biodiversity and the links between biodiversity, health and tourism. The opening ceremony was live-streamed on the project website in English and Spanish.

Read more here.

Background
The “Post 2020 Biodiversity Framework – EU Support” project aims to enable EU policy cooperation with partner countries to support advances in the field of biodiversity. Funded by the Partnership Instrument, it strengthens the EU’sas a key interlocutor on biodiversity. By focusing on complementing the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) process, the project will seek to contribute to achieving an ambitious follow-up to the current Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 .

The Partnership Instrument enables the EU to advance its strategic interests, shape global change and promote its fundamental values. Through the Partnership Instrument, the EU cooperates with partners around the world to address global challenges and find joint solutions to issues of mutual interest. The PI funds activities that carry forward the EU's priorities, translating political commitments into concrete measures.

For more information
• Post 2020 Biodiversity Framework - EU support
• The EU's Partnership Instrument
• Map of activities funded under the Partnership Instrument
• Expertise France