September 9, 2003
A MESSAGE OF OUR GROWING CONCERN...
Cancun, Mexico – "The 18th Session of the Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF) was timed to convey a message to the 5th MInisterial of the World Trade Organization: a message about the urgent need to mitigate the negative impacts of the current trading system on the closely entwined fates of local communities, to which we all belong, and the ecosystems upon which our livelihoods depend." with these words Gustavo Alanis, President of CEMDA started his speech given to the Cozumel Meeting of Ministers of Trade and Ministers of Environment. Mr Alanis highlighted some of the key outcomes of the 18th Session of the Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF-18) held in Cancun last week as Trade and Sustainable Livelihoods, the TRIPS Agreement and the CBD and Risk, Precaution and Biosecurity. More than 35 organizations organized the GBF-18. Genetically modified organisms, alien invasive species and the application of the precautionary approach were as well highligthed by Mr Alanis. (...)

Full speech

September 8, 2003
CLOSING SESSION OF THE GBF-18
Cancun, Mexico – The 18th Session of the Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF-18) closed today with a high-level panel presenting the findings of three days of deliberations among 140 participants from some 40 countries representing sectors ranging from government, civil society, indigenous people and the private sector. The closing session was opened by the Mexican Minister of Environment, Mr. Alberto Cardenas Jimenez, who noted that the GBF is a unique platform providing spaces to express the views of different sectors. In his speech, he emphasised that the economic growth should take place in the natural limits of ecosystems, without overexploitation.

Full story // 18th Session of the GBF

September 6, 2003
18th SESSION OF THE GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FORUM
Cancun, Mexico – The eighteenth session of the Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF) opened on 5 September 2003 in Cancun convened by IUCN- The World Conservation Union and its Commission on Environmental Economics and Social Policy (CEESP), the International Center for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD), the Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), Mexican Centre for Environmental Law (CEMDA) and some 30 other institutions representing different sectors of society to discuss biodiversity and sustainable livelihood issues related to international trade.

Full story // 18th Session of the GBF