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CBD News: Introductory Remarks by Mr. Braulio F. de Souza Dias, CBD Executive Secretary, to the Dialogue Seminar on Scaling Up Biodiversity Finance, Quito, Ecuador, 9 April 2014




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CBD News: Opening Remarks of the Executive Secretary Mr. Dias on the Occasion of the Third Meeting of the High-Level Panel of the Second Phase of the High-Level Panel on the Global Assessment of Resources for Implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversi




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CBD News: Opening Remarks by Mr. Braulio Ferreira De Souza Dias Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, to the High Level Segment of the Twelfth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity




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CBD News: This year, International Women's Day highlights the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action that twenty years' after its adoption remains an essential roadmap for the achievement of gender equality and women's rights.




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CBD News: With the aim to encourage positive action for biodiversity and inspire others by showcasing the notable work of those it honours, nominations are now invited for the MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2016. The call for nominations remains open from




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CBD News: Forests are crucial to the sustainable management of water ecosystems and resources, and water is essential for the sustainability of forest ecosystems. Let us work together and redouble our efforts to ensure that our forests remain healthy now




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CBD News: Opening Remarks by CBD Executive Secretary, Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, to the High-Level Segment of the 2016 United Nations Biodiversity Conference, Cancun, Mexico, 2 December 2016




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CBD News: Nominations are now invited for the MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2018. The call for nominations remains open until 15 June 2018.




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CBD News: Opening remarks of the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity at the 2018 Business and Biodiversity Forum, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, 14 November 2018




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CBD News: Opening statement of Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Officer-in-Charge, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the eleventh meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on




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CBD News: Statement for the opening of the twenty-third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Officer-in-Charge, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, 25-29 November




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CBD News: Nominations are now invited for The MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity 2020. The call for nominations remains open until 30 March 2020.




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CBD News: Statement by Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Officer-in-Charge, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the closing of the twenty-third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, 29 November 2




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CBD News: Statement by Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the opening of the Thematic Workshop on Area-Based Conservation Measures, La Prairie, Canada, 1-3 December 2019




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CBD News: Statement by Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, on the occasion of the meeting of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Invasive Alien Species, Montreal, 2-4 December 2019




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CBD News: Statement by Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, on the occasion of World Soil Day 2019




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CBD News: Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, CBD Acting Executive Secretary, welcomes announcement that biodiversity will be theme of the next year's World Environment Day: "We are delighted to see that biodiversity will be the focus of World Environment Da




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CBD News: Statement by Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, at the fifty-seventh meeting of the Council of the Global Environment Facility, Wednesday, 18 December 2019, Washington D.C., United States




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CBD News: Statement by Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, on the occasion of World Wetlands Day




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CBD News: Statement by Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, for the opening of the Second Meeting of the Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, Monday, 24 February 2020, Rome




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CBD News: Statement by Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the opening of the Subregional Exchange for the Caribbean on the Restoration of Forests and Other Ecosystems, 9-13 March 2020




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CBD News: Statement by Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, on the occasion of World Health Day




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CBD News: Statement by Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, on the occasion of Earth Day




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Foreign politicians' remarks refuted

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has rejected allegations made by certain officials and politicians in the United States, United Kingdom and European Parliament relating to an April 18 arrest operation and other security matters.

 

In a statement today, the Hong Kong SAR Government said such allegations were totally unfounded and amounted to a serious intervention in Hong Kong's affairs.

 

The SAR Government strongly disagreed with the grossly irresponsible remarks and expressed deep regret about them.

 

It pointed out that since its return to the Motherland, the HKSAR has maintained stability and prosperity under the principle of "one country, two systems", exercising "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy in strict accordance with the Basic Law (BL).   

 

"The Central Government has time and again reiterated that it will unswervingly implement the policy of one country, two systems' and make sure that it is fully applied in Hong Kong without being bent or distorted. 

 

“How to implement the policy in the HKSAR - an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China (BL Article 1) and a local administrative region of the People's Republic of China which shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy and come directly under the Central People's Government (BL Article 12) - are entirely internal affairs of the People's Republic of China.

 

“No other state has the right to intervene, directly or indirectly, in those internal affairs.”

 

The statement noted Hong Kong people enjoy extensive rights and freedoms which are enshrined in the Basic Law. Basic Law Article 4 states that the HKSAR shall safeguard the rights and freedoms of the residents and of other persons in the region in accordance with law. 

 

“In addition, human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong are fully protected by the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance and other legislation, and underpinned by an independent judiciary."

 

The SAR Government said it always respects and protects human rights and freedoms. Any allegation that there has been an erosion in freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people is unfounded.

 

However, these rights are not absolute. As pointed out by the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal at the Ceremonial Opening of the Legal Year 2020: "It is important to understand that the enjoyment of these rights has limits so as not to affect adversely to an unacceptable level the enjoyment by other members of their community of their rights and liberties."

 

There are clear limits in the law as to the exercise of these rights. When the law is broken, action will be taken in accordance with the criminal justice system.

 

"We therefore take great exception to comments made by officials and politicians in foreign countries concerning the recent arrests and prosecution of a number of persons for organising and participating in unauthorised assemblies in Hong Kong. 

 

“The allegation by some that those arrests amounted to an attack on Hong Kong's freedoms and a breach of the BL is absurd and can hardly stand the test of any law-abiding jurisdiction," the statement emphasised.

 

It also pointed out that Basic Law Article 63 provides that "The Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall control criminal prosecutions, free from any interference." 

 

Prosecutors have always been discharging this constitutional duty independently and professionally, without fear or favour. Prosecutorial decisions are based on an objective assessment of all admissible evidence and applicable laws, made strictly in accordance with the Prosecution Code which is available to the public.

 

Cases will not be handled any differently owing to the political beliefs or background of the persons involved.

 

When law enforcement agencies have completed their investigation, they would seek legal advice from the Department of Justice. The prosecutors would carefully consider the investigation reports and relevant materials submitted. A prosecution would only be commenced if the prosecutor is satisfied that there is sufficient admissible evidence to support a reasonable prospect of conviction.

 

In short, the well-established procedures of Hong Kong's criminal justice system include the independent investigations by law enforcement agencies, the independent prosecutorial decisions based on the objective assessment of evidence, applicable laws and in accordance with the Prosecution Code, and finally, open trials by an independent judiciary. 

 

"The guarantee of judicial independence is explicitly set out in the BL and the quality of the judgments of our courts contributes to the much respected judiciary and rule of law in the HKSAR.

 

"We therefore note with abhorrence certain overseas politicians' request that the HKSAR Government should drop the charges against the arrested individuals. If we were to accede or to be seen to yield to such unreasonable demands, we would not only be unfair and unprofessional but would also act in violation of the spirit of the rule of law – a core value in Hong Kong," the statement added.

 

The SAR Government remains steadfast to uphold the rule of law. The latest Rule of Law Index 2020 released by the World Justice Project, in which Hong Kong maintains its ranking as No. 5 in the East Asia and Pacific Region and No. 16 globally, several places ahead of the United States, has clearly affirmed Hong Kong's commitment.

 

On legislating for Basic Law Article 23, the statement said, "The HKSAR Government has the constitutional duty to ensure that the necessary legislation is in place to safeguard national security.

 

“Having laws in place to protect national security is common in many jurisdictions, and we do not see how any defence of sovereignty and security by a jurisdiction would impact on its local and overseas investment. 

 

“Coincidentally, it is relevant to note security issues arising from the social unrest last year were part of the causes affecting Hong Kong's score under 'Investment Freedom' according to the US-based Heritage Foundation 2020 Index of Economic Freedom."

 

As regards enquiries about the role of the Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) and the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government (LOCPG) in the HKSAR, they represent the Central People's Government to which the HKSAR comes directly under pertaining to Basic Law Article 12. 

 

These offices have the power and responsibility over the proper and full implementation of the Basic Law and "one country, two systems" in Hong Kong.

 

It is therefore clearly legitimate for the HKMAO and LOCPG to recently express their concerns over the prolonged paralysis of the Legislative Council House Committee, thereby hindering LegCo's performance of its legislative functions under the Basic Law.

 

"Any suggestion that those legitimate remarks by the HKMAO and the LOCPG amount to interference only illustrates an ignorance of the constitutional order of the HKSAR and its relationship with the Central Authorities," the SAR Government added.




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Transcript of remarks by CS, S for S, STH and SED at media session




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Transcript of remarks by CS, S for S, SCED and SED at media session




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Transcript of remarks by CS and SED at media session




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SED opening remarks at press conference




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SED's opening remarks at media session




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SED opening remarks at press conference




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Transcript of remarks of press conference




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SED's opening remarks at LegCo Finance Committee special meeting




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Transcript of remarks by SFH, SCED and SED at media session




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Transcript of remarks of press conference




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AFCD facilities remain closed

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today that country park barbecue sites and campsites will remain closed until April 23.

 

The 163 barbecue sites and 41 campsites managed by AFCD have been closed since March 28. Given the latest development of COVID-19, the department has decided to extend the closure.

 

During the closure of these facilities, no barbecuing or camping activities are allowed in country parks.

 

AFCD staff will step up patrols of these sites and violation of relevant regulations will be subject to prosecution.

 

Call 1823 for enquiries or visit the Enjoy Hiking website for updates.

 

The department also reminded people visiting country parks to maintain personal and environmental hygiene and maintain social distancing.




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AFCD facilities remain closed

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) today announced that its barbecue sites and campsites in country parks will be closed until May 7.

 

It made the decision in light of the latest development of the COVID-19 epidemic and to reduce social contact.

 

All of these sites have been closed since 6pm on March 28.

 

During the closure of these facilities, no one should carry out barbecuing or camping activities in country parks.

 

AFCD staff will step up patrols of the sites and violation of relevant regulations may be subject to prosecution.

 

In the past two weeks, AFCD took enforcement action against 34 people who carried out barbecuing or camping activities in country parks.

 

The department will continue to closely monitor the situation and review the arrangement as appropriate.

 

For the latest updates on facilities in country parks, visit the Enjoy Hiking website.




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Radioiodine Ablation of Remaining Thyroid Lobe in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Treated by Lobectomy. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies reporting the performance of radioactive iodine therapy (131-I therapy) in differentiating thyroid cancer (DTC) patients requiring a completion treatment following lobectomy. We also evaluated the response to 131-I therapy according to 2015ATA guidelines and the adverse events. Methods: A specific search strategy was designed to find articles evaluating the use of I-131 in patients with evidence of DTC after lobectomy. PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus and Web of Science were searched. The search was updated until January 2020, without language restriction. Data were cross-checked and any discrepancy discussed. A proportion meta-analysis (with 95%CI) was performed using the random-effects model. Meta-regressions on I-131 success were attempted. Results: The pooled success ablation rate was 69% with better results in patients receiving a single administration of about 3.7 GBq; high heterogeneity was found (I2 85%), and publication bias was absent (Egger test: P = 0.57). Incomplete structural responses were recorded in only 14 of 695 (2%) patients enrolled in our analysis. Incomplete biochemical responses were observed in 8 to 24% of patients, with higher rates (24%) in patients receiving low radioiodine activities (~1.1 GBq) and lower rates (from 8 to 18%) in patients receiving higher activities of radioiodine (~3.7 Gbq). Neck pain due to thyroiditis was reported in up to 18% of patients but, in most cases, symptoms resolved after oral paracetamol or a short course of prednisone. Conclusion: Lobar ablation with 131-I is effective especially when high 131I activities are used. However, the rate of incomplete biochemical response to initial treatment appears to be slightly higher than the classical scheme of initial treatment of DTC. "Radioisotopic lobectomy" should be considered for patients with low-to-intermediate risk DTC requiring completion treatment after lobectomy due to specific individual risk factors and/or patient’s preferences.




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ANGPTL3, PCSK9, and statin therapy drive remarkable reductions in hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in a mouse model [Commentary]




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Genetic Causes of Severe Childhood Obesity: A Remarkably High Prevalence (>=49%) in an Inbred Population of Pakistan

Monogenic forms of obesity have been identified in ≤10% of severely obese European patients. However, the overall spectrum of deleterious variants (point mutations and structural variants) responsible for childhood severe obesity remains elusive. In this study, we genetically screened 225 severely obese children from consanguineous Pakistani families through a combination of techniques including an in-house developed augmented whole-exome sequencing (CoDE-seq) enabling simultaneous detection of whole exome copy number variations (CNVs) and of point mutations in coding regions. We identified 110 probands (49%) carrying 55 different pathogenic point mutations and CNVs in 13 genes/loci responsible for non-syndromic and syndromic monofactorial obesity. CoDE-seq also identified 28 rare or novel CNVs associated with intellectual disability in 22 additional obese subjects (10%). Additionally, we highlight variants in candidate genes for obesity warranting further investigation. Altogether, 59% of the studied cohort are likely to have a discrete genetic cause with 13% of these due to CNVs demonstrating a remarkably higher prevalence of monofactorial obesity than hitherto reported and a plausible over lapping of obesity and intellectual disabilities in several cases. Finally, inbred populations with high prevalence of obesity, provide a unique genetically enriched material in quest of new genes/variants influencing energy balance.




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Virtual Roundtable: The End of Globalism? Remaining Interconnected While Under Increased Pressure to Isolate

Invitation Only Research Event

30 March 2020 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Zoom Audio Call

Event participants

Fred Hochberg, Chairman and President, Export-Import Bank of the United States, 2009 -17
Chair: Dr Leslie Vinjamuri, Director, US and the Americas Programme, Chatham House

This event is part of the Chatham House Global Trade Policy Forum. We would like to take this opportunity to to thank founding partner AIG and supporting partners Clifford Chance LLP, Diageo plc and EY for their generous support of the forum. 

US and Americas Programme




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HMC remains resolute in bid to keep out coronavirus

WESTERN BUREAU: THE HANOVER Municipal Corporation (HMC) has written to business operators in the parish, urging them to ensure that persons coming into their business places follow the health and safety protocols designed by the Ministry of Health...




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Mark Ricketts | Time to rethink economic implications - Jamaica engages IMF but the cost of the pandemic remains high

On Tuesday, April 14, the International Monetary Fund downgraded Jamaica’s growth prospects to -5.6 per cent. This is a severe contraction warranting substantial Government intervention. However, at times, the Government waits too late to respond...




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How people die remains in the memory of those who live on - supporting the relatives of the dying

All doctors, irrespective of their specialty or the setting in which they work, will care for patients who die. Around half of all deaths occur in hospitals. Evidence suggests that the quality of communication around this process is poorer in hospitals than in other settings, according to responses from relatives who have experienced bereavement....




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Maintaining Connections: How Might the UK Remain Engaged in the EU's Climate and Energy Strategies?

Invitation Only Research Event

3 March 2020 - 10:30am to 12:00pm

Chatham House | 10 St James's Square | London | SW1Y 4LE

As the UK leaves the EU and the formal negotiations on the future relationship begins, this workshop will discuss any immediate changes and review the short and medium term impacts of Brexit on the energy sector. 

The workshop will look to cover:

  • The implications for UK business and system operations of the UK leaving the Internal Energy Market.
  • Current and future investment trends in the UK energy system.
  • The trade of electricity and gas over inter-connectors.
  • The need for the development of a new EU-UK operational framework mechanism.
  • The UK's EU withdrawal agreement and the operation of the Single Electricity Market (SEM) across Ireland. 
  • Options for the UK outside of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the impact on carbon prices.

This workshop is part of a programme funded by the UK Energy Research Centre on Brexit and the UK’s Net Zero Energy Policy being run by the University of Warwick and Chatham House.

Attendance at this event is by invitation only.

Event attributes

Chatham House Rule

Chloé Prendleloup




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Maintaining Connections: How Might the UK Remain Engaged in the EU's Climate and Energy Strategies?

Invitation Only Research Event

3 March 2020 - 10:30am to 12:00pm

Chatham House | 10 St James's Square | London | SW1Y 4LE

As the UK leaves the EU and the formal negotiations on the future relationship begins, this workshop will discuss any immediate changes and review the short and medium term impacts of Brexit on the energy sector. 

The workshop will look to cover:

  • The implications for UK business and system operations of the UK leaving the Internal Energy Market.
  • Current and future investment trends in the UK energy system.
  • The trade of electricity and gas over inter-connectors.
  • The need for the development of a new EU-UK operational framework mechanism.
  • The UK's EU withdrawal agreement and the operation of the Single Electricity Market (SEM) across Ireland. 
  • Options for the UK outside of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the impact on carbon prices.

This workshop is part of a programme funded by the UK Energy Research Centre on Brexit and the UK’s Net Zero Energy Policy being run by the University of Warwick and Chatham House.

Attendance at this event is by invitation only.

Event attributes

Chatham House Rule

Chloé Prendleloup




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Remain in Mexico Plan Echoes Earlier U.S. Policy to Deter Haitian Migration

Remain in Mexico—the Trump administration policy aimed at deterring the rising numbers of migrants from Central America by requiring them to stay in Mexico through most of their U.S. asylum adjudication process—bears striking similarities to U.S. policy in the 1980s and 1990s that sought to discourage Haitians from making the sea journey to the United States. This article explores the parallels and differences between Remain in Mexico and the earlier narrowing of asylum for Haitians.




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Years After Crimea’s Annexation, Integration of Ukraine’s Internally Displaced Population Remains Uneven

With nearly 1.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), Ukraine is home to one of the largest IDP populations in the world. Five years after Russia's annexation of Crimea, displaced Ukrainians continue to face challenges related to national identity, social cohesion, and political participation. While the Ukrainian government has had some success integrating IDPs, the conflict’s end remains uncertain, and many are unlikely to return to their communities of origin no matter the outcome.




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Amalgam separator deadline remains intact

The deadline for dental offices to install amalgam separators remains intact but the Environmental Protection Agency announced March 26 that it will be initiating “a new temporary enforcement discretion policy” during the COVID-19 pandemic.




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Dependent on Remittances, Tajikistan’s Long-Term Prospects for Economic Growth and Poverty Reduction Remain Dim

More than 1 million Tajiks migrate to Russia every year—a sizeable outflow for a country of about 9 million people. These high levels of emigration have had major effects for Tajikistan, especially in the generation of remittances that help lift everyday Tajiks out of poverty but have also made the country increasingly dependent on Russia. This article explores challenges faced by Tajik migrants in Russia and the effects of emigration on Tajikistan’s economy and society.




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Through the Back Door: Remaking the Immigration System via the Expected “Public-Charge” Rule

A Trump administration “public-charge” rule expected to be unveiled soon could create the potential to significantly reshape family-based legal immigration to the United States—and reduce arrivals from Asia, Latin America, and Africa—by imposing a de facto financial test that 40 percent of the U.S. born themselves would fail, as this commentary explains.