Biodiversity is the foundation of all life on earth, economic activities and human well-being, depending on essential ecosystem services such as climate control and water purification. It also provides less visible but crucial benefits like flood protection, nutrient cycling, and pollination. However, biodiversity and nature are deteriorating at an alarming rate, posing significant risks to the economy, the financial system, and the well-being of current and future generations. To address this challenge, the role of businesses has never been more important.

I would like to recognize the Japanese business community's active engagement. Since the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Keidanren and Keidanren Nature Conservation Council (KNCC) have played a pioneering role. KNCC has continuously contributed to the objectives of the CBD and supported raising awareness among Japanese companies about biodiversity issues. This trend has been strengthened through milestones such as COP10 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, COP15 in Montreal where Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was adopted, and COP16 in Cali.

Japanese businesses have not only deepened their understanding of the KMGBF, but have also become proactive contributors toward achieving its goals and targets, particularly Target 15. As reflected in decision 16/31, the headline indicator for Target 15 is the "Number of companies disclosing their biodiversity-related risks, dependencies and impacts." According to CDP's Monitoring of the Global Biodiversity Framework Target 15.1, based on CDP 2024 disclosure data, Japan currently has the highest number of companies publicly disclosing information relevant for reporting against GBF Target 15.1 among all Parties to the CBD. This is remarkable development and serves as a model for other countries.

While I hope Japanese businesses sustain this strong momentum, I also encourage them to demonstrate how disclosure leads to meaningful transformation in the management of natural resources. Disclosure is only beginning. Target 15 emphasizes that businesses must take action to reduce negative impacts on biodiversity, enhance positive impacts, mitigate biodiversity related risks, and promote sustainable production practices. This is where real opportunities lie. Showing how businesses translate disclosure into concrete change would be a powerful contribution to COP17.

A growing number of businesses are integrating biodiversity and natural capital conservation into corporate management strategies, but the scale and depth remain limited. Business operations across sectors are dependent and have significant impact on biodiversity and natural capital. In other words, businesses will face increasing risks and lose opportunities if biodiversity and natural capital are depleted and degraded irreversibly, which in turn poses risks to our livelihoods and well-being. As Target 14 of the KMGBF emphasises, the integration of biodiversity and its multiple values into business planning or strategies are needed.

In this regard, I welcome the Proposal for integrating Biodiversity and Nature Capital Conservation with Sustainable Economic Growth. I am confident that it will provide a strong foundation for businesses as they advance their contribution toward the KMGBF. It is also encouraging to see Japan's leadership through various international initiatives, including the upcoming Global Nature Positive Summit will take place in Kumamoto City in July 2026 — an important move toward COP17.

At the COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia, we will review the collective progress in the implementation of the KMGBF and identify where we must accelerate. This review is not just about measuring progress but also about building momentum, accountability, and trust among all actors working to secure a thriving planet for future generations. Therefore, we need more ambition, implementation, and concrete action now. In this context, I hope that strong and good examples of commitments will be reported, contributing to international ambition.

Leading up to COP17, I encourage Japanese businesses to accelerate more concrete actions, sharing lessons learned and engaging with global partners. Learning from good practices around the region and the world, adapting them to local contexts and scaling up solutions will be essential. The level of financial resources is still low, and private finance is expected to play a critical role in supporting Parties and stakeholders working towards goals and targets on the ground. Again, I would like to thank Keidanren and Keidanren Nature Conservation Council for its contribution to the objectives of the CBD and KMGBF, and I look forward to the continued engagement of the Japanese business community as we move toward COP17.