- Honda and Nissan expected to begin merger talks
- 'Draconian' Vietnam internet law heightens free speech fears
- Israeli women mobilise against ultra-Orthodox military exemptions
- Asian markets track Wall St rally as US inflation eases rate worries
- Tens of thousands protest in Serbian capital over fatal train station accident
- Trump vows to 'stop transgender lunacy' as a top priority
- Daniels throws five TDs as Commanders down Eagles, Lions and Vikings win
- 'Who's next?': Misinformation and online threats after US CEO slaying
- Only 12 trucks delivered food, water in North Gaza Governorate since October: Oxfam
- Langers edge Tiger and son Charlie in PNC Championship playoff
- Explosive batsman Jacobs gets New Zealand call-up for Sri Lanka series
- Holders PSG edge through on penalties in French Cup
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin to talk gas deliveries
- Daniels throw five TDs as Commanders down Eagles
- Atalanta fight back to take top spot in Serie A, Roma hit five
- Mancini admits regrets over leaving Italy for Saudi Arabia
- Run machine Ayub shines as Pakistan sweep South Africa
- Slovak PM Fico on surprise visit to Kremlin
- Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill 35
- 'Incredible' Liverpool must stay focused: Slot
- Maresca 'absolutely happy' as title-chasing Chelsea drop points in Everton draw
- Salah happy wherever career ends after inspiring Liverpool rout
- Three and easy as Dortmund move into Bundesliga top six
- Liverpool hit Spurs for six, Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth
- Netanyahu vows to act with 'force, determination' against Yemen's Huthis
- Mbappe back from 'bottom' as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- Ali hat-trick helps champions Ahly crush Belouizdad
- France kept on tenterhooks over new government
- Salah stars as rampant Liverpool hit Spurs for six
- Syria's new leader says all weapons to come under 'state control'
- 'Sonic 3' zips to top of N.America box office
- Rome's Trevi Fountain reopens to limited crowds
- Mbappe strikes as Real Madrid down Sevilla
- 'Nervous' Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- Pope again condemns 'cruelty' of Israeli strikes on Gaza
- Lonely this Christmas: Vendee skippers in low-key celebrations on high seas
- Troubled Man Utd humiliated by Bournemouth
- 2 US pilots shot down over Red Sea in 'friendly fire' incident: military
- Man Utd embarrassed by Bournemouth, Chelsea held at Everton
- France awaits fourth government of the year
- Germany pledges security inquest into Christmas market attack
- Death toll in Brazil bus crash rises to 41
- Joshua bout only fight left for beaten Fury says promoter Hearn
- Odermatt stays hot to break Swiss World Cup wins record
- Neville says Rashford's career at Man Utd nearing 'inevitable ending'
- Syria's new leader vows not to negatively interfere in Lebanon
- Germany pledges security inquest after Christmas market attack
- Putin vows 'destruction' on Ukraine after Kazan drone attack
- Understated Usyk seeks recognition among boxing legends
- France awaits appointment of new government
Few countries have drawn up nature protection plans: UN
Fewer than 15 percent of countries have submitted plans to slow the destruction of nature ahead of a global biodiversity summit in Colombia, according to a count shared by the United Nations Wednesday.
The 196 country members of the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) had adopted a framework in 2022 with 23 targets to "halt and reverse" the loss of nature by 2030.
About a quarter of assessed animal and plant species are threatened and about a million already face extinction -- many within decades, according to UN data.
Under the so-called Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in Canada two years ago, countries were requested to present "national biodiversity strategies and action plans" by the COP16 meeting opening in the Colombian city of Cali on Monday.
But CBD executive secretary Astrid Schomaker said Wednesday only 29 out of 196 CBD signatory countries had submitted complete plans to date.
Ninety-one have submitted less-encompassing "national targets."
"We know that many more submissions are on their way," Schomaker told a media briefing.
The 23 targets of the framework include placing at least 30 percent of all land and water areas under conservation by 2030 and halting human-induced extinction of known threatened species.
Thousands of delegates including seven heads of state and about 140 government ministers are expected to attend the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the CBD, running until November 1.
The forum is tasked with agreeing on monitoring and financing mechanisms to ensure the targets can be met.
F.Schneider--AMWN