Antigua and Barbuda has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the global 30×30 biodiversity target, aimed at conserving and effectively managing at least 30% of land and marine areas by 2030.

Today, the Honourable Michael Joseph, Minister responsible for the Environment, and Ruleta Camacho Thomas, Acting Director of the Department of Environment, met with a delegation from the Campaign for Nature comprising Michael David Rann AC CNZM, former Premier and Minister for Climate Change of South Australia and former Australian High Commissioner and Ambassador; Senator Russ Feingold, former United States Senator and Special Envoy and Chair of the Campaign for Nature Global Steering Committee; and Alice Jay, International Director of the Campaign for Nature.

The Campaign for Nature team commended Antigua and Barbuda’s leadership on climate change and issues affecting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and welcomed the country’s continued leadership on global biodiversity action.

Minister Joseph reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to 30×30 while highlighting the growing pressures facing the country’s biodiversity and ecosystems, particularly from climate change. He emphasized the need for long-term, sustainable and programmatic financing to strengthen protected area management and build resilience.

The Minister also stressed that conservation must integrate people with the management of nature and recognize the value that healthy ecosystems provide to local communities, livelihoods and resilient prosperity.

The discussion reinforced Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to an approach to 30×30 that protects nature, builds resilience and delivers lasting benefits for its people.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda Reaffirms Commitment to 30×30 Biodiversity Goals.