Apologies if anyone was hoping for a detailed report from
the Conference of Parties to the Convention of Migratory Species in Quito Ecuador
to appear here. I am indeed attending but I have been rather busy and adapting to
the thin air (we are at 2,800m here). The internet connectivity in the conference
centre has also been impacted by the lack of oxygen and this has also affected
my ability to report!
However, the Earth Negotiations Bulletin is making an
excellent daily illustrated report and you will find much information there. Click
HERE to go to the ENB site and note that an illustrated account will be
provided for each day.
I will add a few personal insights and images here from time
to time: We have heard many fine and inspiring speeches, including from Lorena Tapia the minister of environment
of the host country ,who explained how her country has been the first enshrined the rights of
nature in its legal framework.
Here are a few snippets from those speeches to give you an
idea of key points in the opening sessions: :
‘We cannot have healthy humans on a sick planet’
‘Our governance systems cannot prevail where nature does not
have rights. A balance must be struck on what is the best for the community of
life overall.’
‘Ecuador is the first country to embed rights of nature into
its legislation’.
‘All social change has been based on rights’
‘The support of civil society is essential.’
‘Does setting up rights for nature set up a conflict. Would
it not be more effective to look through the lens of human rights?’
‘CITES has a compliance mechanism… [in the form of] a trade
suspension. Perhaps what we lack is the ability to hold countries to account.’
‘Who speaks for nature? Nature is fighting back – this is
why we are having epidemics’.
‘In some places there are more plastic bags than fish!’
‘Now is the time to close the tap. We need to prevent new
plastics from entering the oceans’.
‘Wildlife numbers have decreased by half in the last forty
years …. It doesn't have to be like this. Animals and the ecosystems that support
them need our help. I know you are all under pressure from finance ministries
but can we really afford to not support bodies such as CMS. You need to continue
to lead the way – adopting the draft resolutions and adding the species proposed
here would be a good start.’
‘Give CMS the mandate to turn around species decline. I urge
you to throw aside caution and fear – we must act with audacity and courage.’
‘You inspire me every
day’ (Madam Cousteau addressing Monsieur Cousteau when thanking him for this speech).
And some images
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| Eager NGO delegate Rebecca Regnery of HSI arrives at the Conference centre |
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| Displays in corridor |
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| Mr Simmonds spots a whale |
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| Bradney Chambers the Executive Secretary of CMS makes an opening speach |
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| Stanley Jonston,, CMS Ambassador, introduces the CMS Champions |
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| Monaco is recognized as a champion |
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| View of the big hall |
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| MdmsCousteau |
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| Image from CMS film shown during opening ceremony |
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| Evening reception |
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| Side event on marine debris (guest appearance of Bardsey seals) |
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| Simon Brockington , IWC Secretary, addresses marine debris side event |
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| Monica Thiele of UNEP?CMS also at side event |
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| Signing ceremony - HSI becomes a partner of CMS (Rebecca signs) |
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| Melanie Virtue (CMS Secretariat) and Chris Wold (CMS legal expert), Oystein Storkerson (Chair of the Committee of the Whole) and Bradnee |
