Humanity must tackle the biggest risks to biodiversity loss and climate change at the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron told an environmental conference on Friday.
The key message of this year's World Conservation Congress in Marseille is how disappearing species and the destruction of ecosystems are no less important than climate change.
“There is no vaccine for a sick planet,” Mr Macron said at the opening of the conference.
“The battle for the climate - against climate change - is twinned with the battle to preserve and restore biodiversity,” Mr Macron said.
He detailed the urgent need to eliminate pesticides, end plastic pollution and the use of raw materials linked to deforestation.
World leaders must agree on goals and financial commitments for nature as well as on those for the climate, he said.
Mr Macron said he also wants the polar regions to be considered common global assets.
“Reinforcements are on the way,” said Harrison Ford, speaking on behalf of Conservation International.
“It's hard to read the headlines: floods, fires, famines, plagues and tell your children that everything is all right. It's not all right!” he said.
The conference, organised by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), brings together 160 countries, local governments, non-governmental organisations and indigenous groups with the aim of establishing binding global agreements to protect life on Earth.
It will focus on efforts to reverse habitat destruction, unsustainable agriculture and mining.
“We are facing huge challenges. We are seeing the climate changing and affecting hugely our societies,” said IUCN chief Bruno Oberle.
“We are seeing biodiversity disappearing and the pandemic hitting our economies, our families, our health.”
The meeting, delayed from 2020 by the pandemic, comes before crucial UN summits on climate, food systems and biodiversity that could shape the planet's foreseeable future.
Previous IUCN congresses have paved the way for global treaties on biodiversity and the international trade in endangered species.
But efforts to halt the rapid decline in the diversity of animals and plants have so far failed.
The nine-day IUCN meeting will include an update of its Red List of Threatened Species, measuring how close many animals and plants are to vanishing forever.
Experts say that about 135,000 species are currently at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, overexploitation and illegal trade.
Indoor Cricket World Cup Dubai 2017
Venue Insportz, Dubai; Admission Free
Fixtures - Open Men 2pm: India v New Zealand, Malaysia v UAE, Singapore v South Africa, Sri Lanka v England; 8pm: Australia v Singapore, India v Sri Lanka, England v Malaysia, New Zealand v South Africa
Fixtures - Open Women Noon: New Zealand v England, UAE v Australia; 6pm: England v South Africa, New Zealand v Australia
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
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Spare
Profile
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RESULTS
6pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 1 (PA) $55,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Rajeh, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Musabah Al Muhairi (trainer)
6.35pm: Oud Metha Stakes – Rated Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Get Back Goldie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
7.10pm: Jumeirah Classic – Listed (TB) $150,000 (Turf) 1,600m
Winner: Sovereign Prince, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
7.45pm: Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Hypothetical, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.20pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 – Group 2 (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Hot Rod Charlie, William Buick, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Al Bastakiya Trial – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Withering, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
9.30pm: Balanchine – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Creative Flair, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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RACE CARD
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Turf) 2,200m
5.30pm: Khor Al Baghal – Conditions (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Khor Faridah – Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
7pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh110,000 (T) 1,400m
7.30pm: Khor Laffam – Handicap (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m
