14 October 2014: The Biodiversity Summit for Cities and National Governments 2014 held in parallel with the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 12) has produced the ‘Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution on Cities and Subnational Governments for Biodiversity.’

The Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution is the main outcome of the Summit. In it, cities and subnational governments agree on priority areas to contribute to achieving the goals of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets, including: increased communication, education and public awareness (CEPA); strengthened capacity building and training; the decoupling of consumption patterns from quality of life and local economies; cooperative and integrated management of natural assets; development of local and subnational biodiversity strategies and action plans (BSAPs); and finance mobilization for local and subnational implementation.

Participants of the Summit also considered, inter alia: the nexus between cities and sustainable development, including sustainable development goals (SDGs) on biodiversity and cities; urban biodiversity; the planning and design of green cities; awareness-raising; and the integration of biodiversity into decision making.

Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Korea, Gangwon Province and Pyeongchang County, and organized by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) – Local Governments for Sustainability and the CBD Secretariat, the Biodiversity Summit 2014 was held in from 12-14 October 2014. The Summit brought together high-level speakers from national, subnational and local governments as well as representatives from international biodiversity and sustainable development organizations. [Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution on Cities and Subnational Governments for Biodiversity] [Biodiversity Summit for Cities & Subnational Governments 2014 Press Release] [ICLEI News] [IISD RS Coverage of CBD COP 12]