The President of the Republic of Slovenia addresses the global Summit on Biodiversity via videoconference

The President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor addressed the global Summit on Biodiversity today. The global summit was held virtually.

The president of the 75th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Volkan Bozkir opened the summit, followed by an address by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In the introductory part, Charles, the Prince of Wales, and Archana Soreng, a member of the Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change by the UN Secretary-General, were among those who participated with a statement via videoconference.

By this session, the President of the Republic of Slovenia had already participated in the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature virtual event. In the pledge, leaders put biodiversity, climate and environment at the centre of COVID-19 recovery strategies and efforts for national and international development and cooperation. This year’s World Environment Day, celebrated on 5 June, was also dedicated to biodiversity, which is essential for life on Earth.

We here publish the address by Borut Pahor, President of the Republic of Slovenia:

"Mr. President
Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen,
The high rate of biodiversity decline represents a serious threat to life on our planet and undermines human development.
Covid-19 pandemic manifests a clear link between human health and health of ecosystems. The need to protect and restore our natural habitat is even more urgent.

The color of our post-pandemic world must be green, and oriented towards sustainable production and consumption, without overstepping planetary boundaries.
Biodiversity conservation is beneficial. It safeguards global food security and contributes to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Slovenia is a land of forests and ample water resources.
My country occupies less then half percent of the Earth's surface, at the same time it provides home to 1% of today’s known species.
This makes Slovenia a special guardian of biodiversity on a global level, committed to nature conservation.

Our determination to preserve gifts of nature has lead us to take concrete steps, such as introducing green and environmental taxes, use of renewable energy sources and declaration of access to clean drinking water as constitutional right.

World Bee Day, proclaimed by the UN, is Slovenia's initiative.
On 20th May we raise awareness of the importance of pollinators for biodiversity and sustainable development.
In the 21st century, security and prosperity will depend on how we manage global goods.


The world is standing in front of an important opportunity to redefine people's relationship with nature.
I would like to reaffirm Slovenia's and my personal commitment to stop an unprecedented rate of biodiversity loss and halt climate change effects.

Let us all become international leaders on biodiversity to protect humanity's most important life-supporting safety net.
Thank you!"