As of 28.05.2008

• Title: Welcome address

• Speaker: Federal Environment Minister Gabriel
• Occasion: Opening of the High Level Segment of COP 9 / CBD
• Date/Location: 28.05.2008, Bonn, WCCB

Federal Chancellor Merkel,
President Kerim,
President Barroso,
Prime Minister Harper,
Executive Director Steiner,
Executive Secretary Djoghlaf,
Excellencies,
Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The global loss of biological diversity is advancing at an alarming pace! Our planet is becoming poorer every day - poorer in species, habitats and genetic resources. Nature has produced this diversity over millions of years. We view the landscapes we grew up in as our homes, where we have our roots. We enjoy the beauties of nature in our leisure time and when we are on holiday. But today the importance of nature has much greater dimensions. Conserving biological diversity has become a question of survival. The poorest people on Earth will be the first to suffer when they no longer have healthy ecosystems - ecosystems that provide fertile soils, clean water, healthy air and food. But in the long term we will all come to realise that we cannot survive without nature's wealth. Increasingly, our food, medicines, technologies and raw materials will have to use nature's blueprints and substances. Nature conservation, alongside climate protection, has thus become a key challenge for mankind for this century. And we cannot afford to lose any more time in tackling this challenge with vigorous commitment.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The international community has placed the herculean task of globally conserving and sustainably using nature in the hands of the CBD. I believe we must make this Convention strong - even stronger than before. At the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, heads of state and government agreed to significantly reduce the current loss of biodiversity by 2010. Time is running out! There is certainly no lack of commitment to the CBD. The Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity have already been convening here in Bonn for a week and a half. The delegates have been highly engaged in the negotiations, including in numerous evening and weekend sessions. These efforts are already bearing fruit! I am delighted that yesterday evening – shortly before the start of our High Level Segment – a breakthrough was achieved on an international ABS regime. I am convinced that as we are more and more dependent on nature's database, it must also be right to guarantee a fair sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. I promise you that during my CBD Presidency over the next two years, I will work intensively towards the successful implementation of the Bonn Mandate to establish an ABS regime by 2010.

I would like to thank all participants for their tremendous efforts in the negotiations and their evident willingness to find a consensus.

Our High-Level Segment starts today. This is the point when we ministers can give extra momentum to the negotiation process by supporting our delegations in making bold decisions. I look forward to the next three days with you.

Like climate protection, biological diversity must be high on the political agenda. Preserving the natural wealth of our Earth is not a task that can be tackled by the relevant ministers alone. It therefore gives me particular pleasure to welcome the German Chancellor, Dr Angela Merkel. Chancellor, you have already sent clear signals internationally in the field of climate protection, and brought fresh momentum to the climate negotiations during your G8 Presidency. As environment minister, I am delighted that I can also always count on your support with regard to the conservation of biological diversity.

Chancellor, you have the floor.