The Islamic World Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) held a virtual symposium on “Green Initiatives, plantation of trees to combat climate change and reduce CO₂ emissions: a biodiversity preservation perspective,” on Thursday, May 20, 2021, to discuss the global challenges facing biodiversity, exchange experiences and ensure complementarity between various initiatives to preserve biodiversity for the benefit of current and future generations.

The symposium is part of ICESCO’s celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, which is observed annually on May 22^nd, under the theme: “We are part of the solution.”

The symposium brought together Dr. Raheel Qamar, Head of Science and Technology Sector at ICESCO, and several consultants and experts at the Sector, as well as scientists, officials, experts, and activists in the field of climate change and environmental conservation from around the globe. The participants discussed the means to intensify efforts to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

During the symposium, ICESCO representatives stressed the Organization’s commitment to supporting the initiatives of Member States to reduce the negative impacts of climate change by building partnerships, facilitating the exchange of experiences, and integrating officials, civil society, universities, and research institutes in the dialogue on confronting climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and preserving biodiversity.

The participants tackled the impact of climate change and biological diversity on societies and ecosystems, the role of the Indigenous Knowledge System in the strategies for preserving biological diversity. The speakers also discussed the strengths and weaknesses of various measures and initiatives for preserving biological diversity and creating job opportunities for youth and women taking into account the preservation of the environment and the role of international organizations in promoting the integration of initiatives and sustainable financing.