SAIMUN ‘24

Agenda: Addressing Biodiversity Loss and Ecosystem Degradation (SDG 15 - Life on Land).

Mexico position etc. (very basic info)

Official Name: United Mexican States

Continent: North America

Type: Upper middle-income country

Population: 129 million

AQI: The current PM2.5 concentration in Mexico is below the recommended limit given by the
WHO 24 hrs air quality guidelines value.

MEXICO’S STANCE :-

Mexico is an extraordinarily biodiverse country with a long history of sustainably using natural
resources. The country’s most important policy instrument on biodiversity protection, the
National Biodiversity Strategy of Mexico, explicitly connects nature conservation, restoration
and sustainable use with key supporting elements, such as knowledge, good governance and
mainstreaming, and education.

Mexico is extraordinarily biodiverse, one of 17 countries considered to be a ‘megadiverse’. It is

home to over 23,000 vascular plant species, about half of which are endemic, as well as over
1,000 bird species, about 2,700 fish species, and some of the world’s largest arrays of mammals,
amphibians and reptiles (CONABIO, 2016)

The country has a robust biodiversity research community that has not only documented species
and whole ecosystems in detail, but also identified and monitored numerous threats to
biodiversity, such as over-exploitation (e.g. overfishing); land-clearing for urbanisation,
agriculture and other uses; water and soil contamination; and damming and rerouting of rivers,
among others (SEMARNAT, 2021). Almost 2,600 species in Mexico are listed as endangered,
threatened or under special protection, including 97 kinds of mammals, 232 amphibians and 306
fish (IUCN, 2024, Table 5). Indigenous Peoples, many of whom still live in and care for highly
biodiverse ecosystems today, are increasingly recognised as crucial environmental stewards.
Indigenous Peoples and local communities have been some of Mexico’s most prominent
environmental defenders, pushing back against major projects that could deeply harm
biodiversity.
Extra info:

[Link]
i-attack-maritime-center-2024-07-16/

CAIRO, July 16 (Reuters) - Liberia-flagged oil tanker Chios Lion was assessing damage and
investigating a potential oil spill after it was attacked by Yemen's Houthis in the Red Sea, the Red
Sea and Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said on Tuesday.

An unmanned watercraft inflicted minor damage to Chios Lion's port side on Monday as part of a
swarm of attacks by the Houthis on the vessel and another ship sailing around 100 nautical miles
northwest of Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah.

"While originally headed south, following the attack the vessel turned around and back north out
of the threat area to further assess damage and investigate potential oil spillage," the JMIC said in
a statement.
It added that the captain and crew were safe.
The manager of Chios Lion did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Yemen's Houthis said they targeted Chios Lion and Bentley I with ballistic missiles, drones and
booby-trapped boats in response to the deadly Israeli airstrike on the southern Gaza Strip city of
Khan Younis on Saturday.
Since November, Houthi attacks have exacted an economic toll on global trade by forcing ship
owners to route vessels away from the Suez Canal shortcut and toward the longer, more
expensive route around Africa.

They also pose a risk to the environment in the form of spilled cargo such as oil and fertilizer as
well as fuel used to power vessels.
Quotesss: “The single biggest threat to our planet is the destruction of habitat and along the way

loss of precious wildlife. We need to reach a balance where people, habitat, and wildlife can
co-exist – if we don't everyone loses … one day.

One species' extinction is every species' loss.

Biodiversity Facts
Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services
Mexico is distinguished as one of the world’s megadiverse countries and centers of
domestication and origin of cultivated plants. The Natural Capital of Mexico (CONABIO,
2008-2009) remains the benchmark document on the status of Mexican biodiversity. Since its
publication, certain thematic analyses have been carried out; however, a comprehensive updating
of data is still to be developed.

According to a study conducted by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources

(SEMARNAT) in 2011, over a quarter (28.7%) of Mexican territory has lost its natural
ecosystems while the remaining portion (71.3%) is characterized by different levels of
conservation. Also, the natural vegetation that remains is impacted by significant degradation
processes. In 2011, only 49.5% of the remaining expanse of rainforests and forests was
associated to a primary state of conservation. On the other hand, the annual rate of loss of
terrestrial ecosystems over the last 20 years indicates a downward trend. For example, between
1976 and 1993, the annual rate of loss of rainforests was 0.57% and, between 2007 and 2011,
this figure dropped to 0.3%; in the same period, the rate of loss of temperate forests dropped
from 0.09% to 0.02%, and from 0.26% to 0.14% for scrubland. With regard to natural coastal
vegetation, it is estimated that 31,656 km2 were lost between 1976 and 2000. As for mangroves
specifically, an estimated extension of 764,486 hectares in 2010 ranked Mexico fourth
worldwide for the largest extensions of this ecosystem. In spite of this development, the country
has not been able to halt the decline in mangroves which are threatened by habitat destruction,
pollution and resource overexploitation.

Areas intended for agricultural activities comprise the highest percentage of land use on Mexican
territory. However, it is recognized that the country has not realized the economic potential of
this wealth of agrobiodiversity, including its genetic diversity, due mainly to the absence of
incentives to promote diversification of agricultural crops. For example, in 2012, 53% of the
total cultivated surface corresponded to grain maize, Poaceae and grain sorghum only. In the area
of aquaculture, shrimp is the main species cultivated, with epicontinental aquaculture mainly
based on two introduced species (carp from Asia and tilapia from Africa) which has contributed
to the local extinction of native species, some of which are endemic. In coastal zones, sardine
production is highest, followed by tuna.

A long tradition exists in Mexico of utilizing non-timber forest products (NTFPs), particularly in
indigenous and local communities, which is significantly linked to traditional knowledge. These
products are used for food, medicines, ornamentals, construction materials, fertilizer, dye, among
other uses. While it is recognized that these products constitute an economic potential for these
communities, the lack of government plans and development strategies, together with unclear
regulations, among other factors, currently limit this potential. While Mexico is also rich in
timber resources, timber production also remains below its potential; for example, roundwood
production fell by more than 30% between 2001 and 2011.

It is recognized that priority should be given to the development and application of tools to
assess ecosystem services, both in monetary and non-monetary terms, to advance mainstreaming
of criteria for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in public policies. Examples of
activities currently being undertaken by Mexico in this regard relate to the System of
Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) Experimental Ecosystem Accounting (EEA), the
Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) and the Wealth Accounting and Valuation of
Ecosystem Services (WAVES) programme.

Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)

The main pressures are classified under six themes: ecosystem degradation and loss;
overexploitation of species; introduction of invasive alien species; pollution; climate change; and
urbanization.
Regarding climate change, an average annual temperature increase of 0.6 °C was registered
between 1971 and 2008. Based on data from the National Center for Disaster Prevention, it is
estimated that in the last decade the annual average costs to address damages linked to climate
change were 21,368 million pesos.=

The evaluation of pressures and threats on biodiversity poses significant challenges. For
example, institutions generate information about environmental degradation processes (e.g.
water, soil and air pollution) focused on specific sites in monitoring networks (as is the case with
water and air), and evaluate the degree of impact on the environment in general terms, not the
impacts these processes have on biodiversity (e.g. impact on populations, ecological
interactions). In addition, information on the impacts of illicit activities such as logging and
illegal trade in species is also limited.

Measures to Enhance Implementation of the Convention

Implementation of the NBSAP
Mexico adopted its first NBSAP in 2000. Its implementation contributed to increasing the level
of biodiversity knowledge, including status and threats, institutional capacity and social
awareness.

Mexico is currently updating its NBSAP along six strategic lines (knowledge, conservation and
restoration, sustainable management and use, factors related to pressures and threats,
environmental education and culture, mainstreaming and governance), first identified in the
document Natural Capital of Mexico: Strategic actions for valuation, preservation and
restoration (2012), on which the revised NBSAP is based.

Since 2002, through the National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity
(CONABIO), the development of State Biodiversity Strategies has been promoted to improve
human and institutional local capacities in planning and managing biodiversity activities.
Twenty-two states in Mexico are currently involved in this initiative, which includes the
formulation of both state biodiversity studies and state biodiversity strategies. With the
participation of close to 2500 local, national and international experts, twelve states of Mexico
have published their own biodiversity studies, of which 9 (Morelos, Michoacan, Aguascalientes,
Veracruz, Chiapas, Puebla, Guanajuato, Chihuahua and Campeche) have already begun
implementing their strategies. Furthermore, in 2013, Morelos decreed the creation the first State
Commission for Biodiversity, while the second Commission was established in Veracruz in 2014.

Actions taken to achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Positive incentives have been developed for the environmental sector and, even though a
comprehensive analysis of incentives offered by other sectors is yet to be developed, the merging
of common agendas between the environmental sector and the forestry, agricultural, fisheries and
tourism sectors is currently underway in order to mainstream the conservation and sustainable
use of biodiversity within their plans, programs and policies.
In 2005, efforts were initiated to identify and assess areas of priority for conservation in three
environments (terrestrial, marine, epicontinental aquatic). Results revealed that a significant
portion of these areas was not contained within a protected area or protection scheme. In 2012, a
proposal aimed at addressing conservation priorities for the most vulnerable species and areas in
an integrated manner, and in the context of sustainable territorial development strategy, resulted
in the designation of priority sites for conservation in the three environments. The results of
ecoregional analyses were also considered. Today, this classification serves to guide
implementation of various in situ conservation tools, such as protected areas, biological
corridors, social and private reserves, integrated management programmes, payment for
environmental services, management units for the conservation of wildlife and sustainable forest
management programmes.

Between 2009 and 2015, 11 new protected areas were established bringing the total number to
176, increasing coverage by 1.44 million hectares, for a total current coverage of 25.63 million
hectares (12.96% of the country). Likewise, the past five years have been very important in
developing management programs for protected areas; currently 76% of the protected areas
under federal jurisdiction have management programs. In 2012, the National Wetland Inventory
was developed, through which 6,331 wetland and wetland complexes were identified covering
10.03 million hectares (5% of the surface country). Of this total, 8.64 million hectares are
registered as Ramsar sites. Between 2009 and 2015, 30 additional Ramsar sites were registered
bringing the current total to 142.

In 1997, the System of Management Units for the Conservation of Wildlife (SUMA) was
established. As of December 2015, a total 12,586 units had been created, with an extension of
around 39 million hectares, representing 19% of the national area. Further to the General Law on
Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, six networks of fish refuge zones have been established,
covering an area of 889,798.9 hectares in February 2016.

Knowledge, use and conservation of genetic diversity is an emerging field in Mexico with
progress to date achieved mainly at the academic and research levels. CONABIO is currently
promoting research in the field of agricultural biodiversity, particularly in relation to native
maize.

Mexico was the first megadiverse country to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on ABS in 2012. Two
projects are currently underway to address the participation of key stakeholders and strengthen
the legal and institutional framework in this area.

Support mechanisms for national implementation (legislation, funding, capacity-building,

coordination, mainstreaming, etc.)
Recently-adopted laws include the Federal Law on Environmental Responsibility (2013) and the
General Law on Climate Change (2012). The list of Priority Species and Populations for
Conservation (2014) was also formalized. Mexico’s revised NBSAP will address harmonizing
the legal and regulatory frameworks at all levels of government in order to support institutions
and conduct functions in a coordinated manner, with the effective participation of citizens.

The Biosafety Law on Genetically Modified Organisms was adopted in 2005. Mexico also
possesses a National Biosafety Policy and is undertaking considerable efforts to strengthen
mechanisms to ensure biosafety.
A positive trend exists regarding national (public expenditure) and international funding for
biodiversity; however, no systematic analysis has been conducted regarding the funding
available to other sectors in this regard.

Mexico has a wide variety of institutional information systems for collecting current information
on biodiversity components (e.g. National System on Biodiversity Information; National System
of Information on the Environment and Natural Resources; National System of Forest
Information (CONAFOR); System of Information on Agrifood and Fisheries). Support is also
provided by the National Institute on Statistics and Geography. Capacity for developing
bioinformatic applications also exists.

Monitoring programmes for certain species, such as the Morelet’s crocodile

(Mexico-Belize-Guatemala) and the felines of Manantlán, are being carried out.

The National Development Plan (2013-2018) concretely addresses the issue of biodiversity
under one of the Plan’s five national goals entitled “Mexico Próspero”. This goal contains
objectives, strategies and lines of action for the country’s production sectors and the
environmental sector. Sectoral programmes were developed in 2013 and derived from the
National Development Plan and cover the 2013-2018 period. Impact indicators to monitor and
evaluate implementation of these sectoral programmes have been developed which constitutes a
key difference between these programmes and those developed by other administrations.

Mexico has also recently developed important development strategies and policies linked
directly to biodiversity. Examples include the National Strategy on Invasive Species in Mexico:
Prevention, Control and Eradication (2010), the Climate Change Strategy for Protected Areas
(2010), the National Strategy for Sustainable Land Management (2010), and the Mexican
Strategy for Plant Conservation (2012-2030).

Through the strategy on biological corridors in southeastern Mexico, models for sustainable land
management are promoted through the coordination of public policy, the strengthening of local
governance and the sustainable use of natural resources to improve the quality of life of the
population. Activities are currently being carried out in eleven biological corridors in six states.
The strategy stems from experience gained since 2001 from the implementation in Mexico of the
Mesoamerica Biological Corridor initiative.

Mechanisms for monitoring and reviewing implementation

A mechanism for comprehensively monitoring and reviewing NBSAP implementation is absent.
While the existence of the various aforementioned public information systems facilitates the
collection of information, there is a need to increase the quantity and quality of information on
various issues, and develop ad hoc indicator and monitoring systems, among other needs, to
fulfill the goals of the Convention and the current global framework.

GSLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!

Humans are as dangerous to Earth as the meteorite that drove dinosaurs to extinction.
Greetings honourable chair and esteemed delegates.

Mexico is deeply concerned about the accelerating rate of biodiversity loss and the degradation
of ecosystems globally. These issues threaten not only the richness of our natural world but also
the well-being of our communities. Our country is home to over 200,000 species, including
unique flora and fauna that are integral to our cultural and ecological identity. Mexico is a nation
with diversities beyond wonders. With 10-12% of the world’s species being found in its territory,
it is one of the 17 countries that are considered to be megadiverse. Unfortunately, many of these
species face severe threats due to habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation.

In Mexico, we have implemented several measures to address this dire situation. The country
has developed State biodiversity strategies to improve human and institutional local capacities
in planning and managing biodiversity. We have implemented national strategies aimed at
protecting our natural resources, including the establishment of protected areas, the promotion
of sustainable agriculture, and the enhancement of environmental regulations. Our recent efforts
in reforestation and the restoration of degraded lands are steps toward reversing ecosystem
degradation and enhancing resilience.
To effectively address these issues, Mexico advocates for the enhancement of scientific
research and monitoring. Comprehensive data on biodiversity and ecosystem health is crucial
for informed decision-making and policy development. We support international collaborations
that foster research and share best practices for monitoring and mitigating biodiversity loss.
Our earth is already battling with several different problems including pollution, poor water
quality, climate change, etc, and the delegate of Mexico is sure that no country wants to add to
this already long list of problems. In Mexico, we believe in the saying, ’ In lak’ech ala k’in.’ which
means You are my other me. So let us all treat the planet the way we would treat ourselves, with
love, care, and compassion.
Thank you.