Astrid Schomaker assumes office ahead of COP16

By Samuel Ogunsona

A German, Astrid Schomaker has officially taken up her appointment as Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) ahead of the sixteenth meeting of Conference of the Parties (COP 16).

The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, made the appointment in April while David Cooper of the United Kingdom, was serving as the Acting Executive Secretary.

António Guterres in his statement extends his profound gratitude and appreciation to David Copper who is to resume his role as the Deputy Executive Secretary.

Ms Astrid who has led work on a variety of issues ranging from bilateral and multilateral relations is expected to bring her extensive experience in international relations, negotiations and global environmental policy-making.

Since July 2017, Astrid has successively been the Director for Global Sustainable Development and for Green Diplomacy and Multilateralism at the European Commission’s Environment Department.

In her roles, she led the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the integration of biodiversity, pollution and resource efficiency / circularity into partnerships with developing countries, relations with international organizations as well as engagement with G20 countries, amongst others.

Ms Astrid in her statement said she is delighted to take assignments of the United Nations, and all Parties to the Convention to halt and reverse biodiversity loss.

She said, “Securing the future of biodiversity means securing the future of humankind. I am humbled to be joining the efforts of the United Nations, and all Parties to the Convention to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Our world is in desperate need of a global green transition and, while our individual paths may vary, our ambitions – the ambitions of the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework must be the same.”

“I want to thank Mr. David Cooper for stepping in as Acting Executive Secretary and leading the CBD through a critical time following the adoption of the Framework in December 2022, a landmark agreement to which he contributed and continues to contribute so much.”

She also express her enthusiasm, working with the Government of Colombia ahead of COP16 and promised to ensure that the outcome of the meeting will accelerate implementation at all levels.

“Let me also express my enthusiasm to work with the government of Colombia, and in particular H. E. Susana Muhamad, our incoming president, to ensure that the outcomes of COP 16 accelerate action at all levels to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity.” She added.