Faith in Action for Biodiversity: Building Resilient Communities and Ecosystems
Hosted by Lutheran World Federation at the Faith Hub, Blue Zone, CBD COP17 (Yerevan, Armenia).
This side event will examine how faith-based organizations contribute to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), particularly its focus on addressing the impacts of climate change on biodiversity, strengthening ecosystem resilience, and protecting the benefits that nature provides to people.
Drawing on community-based research and practical experiences from different regions, the discussion will explore how changes in ecosystems are affecting people's livelihoods, access to food and water, and overall wellbeing.
Faith-based organizations are often present in these communities long before and long after a crisis. Their work can include protecting and restoring ecosystems, supporting sustainable livelihoods, preparing communities for disasters, and advocating for policies that uphold the rights and dignity of people affected by environmental degradation and climate change.
The event will consider how these experiences can support implementation of KMGBF Targets 1, 2, 8, 10, 11 and 22, and highlight that biodiversity loss and climate change cannot be addressed separately.
Speakers
Mr. Jean de Marie Orhaciyumya Kabunga - LWF Nature-based Solutions Program Manager, Chad & Cameroon
Jocabed Solano - Government representative from Panama
Antoine Abdelmassih - DANMISSION Nature & Climate Program
Ms Tojo, General Director of Protected Areas in the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development from Madagascar
Moderators
Elena Cedillo, LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice
Sara Keranen, Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church