COP15: UN biodiversity summit moved from China to Canada

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The talks on nature have been moved from China to Canada.

The online talks began in October of last year.

Negotiations were supposed to take place in Kunming, China in April but were repeatedly delayed.

The aim of the talks is to set global policy. Between December 5-17, they will finish in Montreal.

The goal of the summit is to approve the final version of the draft UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

China would like to emphasize its continued strong commitment, as COP President, to work with all Parties and stakeholders to ensure the success of the second part of COP 15, including the adoption of an effective Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Observers have criticized the "snail's pace" of negotiations and are pushing for a stronger ambition.

The outcome will determine how the world will address the challenges of reducing the extinction risk threatening more than one million species, protecting 30% of land and sea, and eliminating billions of dollars of government subsidies.

Andrew Deutz said his organisation was "relieved and thankful that we have a firm date for these critically important negotiations within this calendar year."

The global community is behind in implementing a plan to halt and reverse the loss of plants and animals.