Aquatic ecosystems protectedДЄ resource as central to human existence as rivers is deserving of projects that place conservation as a key consideration in policy and planning processes. Its river systems - as well as riparian and catchment forests - support an immense diversity of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity, including more than 600 freshwater fish species, all stitched together into a protective web of ecosystem services, from clean water and food production to erosion control and flood prevention. The country is recognized as one of 17 mega-diverse countries in the world. A country blessedДЇor Malaysia, a country blessed with 157 river systems, as well as a variety of tropical wetlands, forests, and marine ecosystems, the preservation of these riverine lifelines has a special significance. Rivers are our planetary arterial lifelines вЂ“ they both literally connect and sustain us. The campaign calls on all of us to вЂњrevive what we destroyed and reconnect with what sustains usвЂќ. This yearвЂ™s World Environment Day campaign #OnlyOneEarth calls for collective, transformative action on a global scale to celebrate, protect and restore our planet. Preserving the integrity of aquatic ecosystems is of critical importance. вЂњRivers are the arteries of our planet they are lifelines in the truest sense.вЂќ The wide mangrove belts are the largest contiguous mangrove area in the Southern Sulu Sea. Totalling 78,803 ha, the Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands are fed by two large rivers - the Kinabatangan and Segama - as well as numerous smaller rivers and tributaries. The Lower Kinabatangan-Segama Wetlands are the largest Ramsar Wetland in Malaysia, and the first Ramsar site in Sabah state, which lies at the north-eastern tip of Borneo island. Every year, with the President of the UN General Assembly, we hold a Parliamentary Hearing on an issue high on the UN agenda.Д®very five years, we convene the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament-a global summit focusing on the parliamentary role in international cooperation and the promotion of global democratic governance.Read the original article here Wetland paradise Our office in New York works to enhance our cooperation with the UN on a daily basis, advocating IPU positions as endorsed by our member Parliaments. Since 2002, we have had Permanent Observer Status with the UN. We ensure the participation of MPs in UN bodies such as the Human Rights Council, Peacebuilding Commission, Commission on the Status of Women, Development Cooperation Forum (DCF), High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development and the UN Youth Forum. We also work together operationally, building parliamentary capacity and reinforcing links between parliaments and UN country teams. At a global level, we contribute to shaping international policies such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our work with the UN extends across a growing range of areas. We believe, and the UN agrees, that parliaments play a vital role in democratic governance, human rights, gender equality, peace and development. Our goal is to have a parliamentary perspective reflected in UN decisions and to engage parliaments actively in meeting international commitments. We believe our partnership will grow as we work to enhance accountability and ensure parliamentarians are involved in global decisions. Working with the UN is a crucial and growing part of our work.

United nation news center