Saint-Laurent and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity Celebrating the First Anniversary of Their Cooperation in Promoting Urban Diversity

SAINT-LAURENT, QC, June 16, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Saint-Laurent Mayor Alan DeSousa and Braulio Ferreira de Souza, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, have been collaborating for almost a year now on promoting their common vision of urban biodiversity.

In fact, as it may be recalled, it was in June of last year that the two authorities signed an agreement of collaboration, which has since materialized through the exchange of expertise as well as through the development of activities and tools, such as information sheets on best practices to be implemented at the local level in order to promote urban biodiversity.

"In Saint-Laurent, we are striving to place sustainable development—including urban biodiversity—at the heart of all our decisions," stated Mayor DeSousa, in parallel to the Sommet sur les infrastructures naturelles du Grand Montréal. "We are very proud to be able to concretely demonstrate that our community can be developed in harmony with responsible practices. We thank the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity for relentlessly pursuing its promotion of the preservation of biodiversity all over the world, because we, too, believe in this cause."

"We are very pleased to continue showing our support for the good practices under way in the Borough of Saint-Laurent. Saint-Laurent's approach illustrates consistency between the will expressed and the actions quickly taken in the field. We commend the Borough on this coordinated effort, which can serve as inspiration for other municipalities wanting to contribute toward the preservation of biodiversity in an urban environment," stated Mr. Dias.

To celebrate the first anniversary of their collaboration, Saint-Laurent and the Secretariat have jointly published four information sheets on projects promoting biodiversity in an urban environment—in addition to the three published last year on the same date. These information sheets explain how the four projects respond to the Aichi biodiversity targets as well as provide food for thought to cities and organizations wanting to undertake the implementation of similar initiatives. These information sheets concern Parc Marcel-Laurin woodland, Mon école écolo, emerald ash borers and the monarch butterfly. Last year, three others were published—on Éco-Campus Hubert-Reeves, the By-law on the configuration of parking spaces from a perspective of sustainable development and the Bibliothèque du Boisé.

About the Convention on Biological Diversity 

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) is an international legally-binding treaty with three main goals: conservation of biodiversity; sustainable use of biodiversity and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. Its overall objective is to encourage actions that will lead to a sustainable future.

The conservation of biodiversity is a common concern of humankind. The Convention on Biological Diversity covers biodiversity at all levels: ecosystems, species and genetic resources. It also covers biotechnology including through the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. In fact, it covers all possible domains that are directly or indirectly related to biodiversity and its role in development, ranging from science, politics and education to agriculture, business, culture and much more.

The CBD's governing body is the Conference of the Parties (COP). This ultimate authority of all governments (or Parties) that have ratified the treaty meets every two years to review progress, set priorities and commit to work plans.

The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) is based in Montreal. Its main function is to assist governments in the implementation of the CBD and its programs of work, to organize meetings, draft documents, and coordinate with other international organizations and collect and spread information. The Executive Secretary is the head of the Secretariat.

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Arrondissement de Saint-Laurent

For further information: Source: Direction d'arrondissement, Division des communications et des relations avec les citoyens; Information: Geneviève Bouchard, chargée de communications, Ville de Montréal, Borough of Saint-Laurent, 514 855-6000, ext. 4058, ville.montreal.qc.ca/saint-laurent; Oliver Hillel, Programme Officer, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, 514 287-7009, www.cbd.int