February 2012: The fourth issue of Satoyama, a newsletter published by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), contains articles by Heads of State and leaders of international organizations, as well as senior officials. The authors highlight, inter alia: the importance of biodiversity in the sustainable development agenda; human-influenced forces behind biodiversity loss; and collaborations between environmental organizations.

In this issue of Satoyama, CBD Executive Secretary Ahmed Djoghlaf points to the relevance of the CBD and its Strategic Plan for Biodiversity for the sustainable development agenda on the road to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20). UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underlines achievements in the CBD framework, and underlines that Rio+20 offers a major opportunity to steer the world towards a greener, more sustainable and more equitable path, which protects the world’s biodiversity. UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Executive Director Achim Steiner notes that the CBD has played a crucial role in focusing attention on one of the great challenges facing humanity and has catalyzed positive action both politically and practically, while noting that Rio+20 represents an opportunity to put in place the policies that can assist nations to meet the targets and timetable agreed in the 10th meeting of the CBD Conference of the Parties (COP 10).

James Alix Michel, President of the Seychelles, draws attention to the driving forces behind biodiversity loss, including unfair trade patterns, poverty and limited alternative livelihoods, calling for creating incentives and empowerment of the custodians of biodiversity in the developing world. Monique Barbut, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), highlights CBD achievements and ongoing collaboration efforts between the two organizations.

Satoyama 4 also includes contributions by, among others: Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister of Japan; Felipe Calderón, President of Mexico; Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway; Michel Jarraud, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO); Irina Bokova, Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); Helen Clark, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP); Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); Luc Gnacadja, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD); and Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). [Publication: Satoyama 4]