"WWF would like to start by recalling the last COP 10 in Nagoya, Japan, where CBD adopted a strong Strategic Plan and the Nagoya Protocol. WWF is concerned and disappointed to some extent at the lack of implementation across the globe on the promises that were made in Nagoya," WWF International Biodiversity Policy Coordinator Rolf Hogan told reporters here on the eve of COP 11.
The Nagoya Protocol includes a comprehensive plan to protect biodiversity by setting targets for 2020.
"We see relatively few countries implement or update their national strategies. Only 14 out of 193 countries have updated their national strategies as they committed to do. Even less countries have ratified the Nagoya Protocol. However, we believe there is reason for hope. All over the world, we have seen progress in terms of biodiversity conservation," he said.
WWF has a long association with the Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), being involved with it since its initiation.
Hogan also said governments need to make increased efforts to implement the convention and it can be done by enhancing finances, improving conservation of biodiversity on high seas and adopting developmental strategies for biodiversity protection.
Observing that biodiversity in India needs more attention, Sejal Worah, Programme Director, WWF India, said efforts should be stepped up to conserve the rich biodiversity in the country, including traditional knowledge in the area.
"We also need to find a way to mainstream biodiversity conservation into the rest of our development policies and actions. Often, conservation is seen as a separate issue. We need to integrate both conservation and development so that we can be on the right path," she said.