Above: after a lengthy debate on the content of the Communiqué, the meeting broke for a few minutes as participants met in huddles to pour over new text.

Right: once it was clear that consensus could not be achieved, participants from Latin American and Caribbean countries gathered to agree on a statement to be issued at the press conference (see below).

Yolanda Kakabadse, President of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), delivered the guest speaker address on conservation of biodiversity in healthy ecosystems. She said conservation and protection must form part of economic development and stressed that a hemispheric alliance must take social, political, economic and environmental considerations into account. She said the economic capacity of biodiversity is undeniable and emphasized the need to integrate environmental concerns into trade policy.

Session moderator, Russel Mittermeier, President of Conservation International, reminded participants that biodiversity loss is an irreversible process and identified two paths in front of the world today with regard to biodiversity: liquidate it now and restore it later; or value intact ecosystems now. He highlighted the importance of a global assessment to register all existing species.

Canadian Environment Minister Anderson thanked all for their participation, and challenged the ministers to unite in making the Americas a model for the rest of the world. In closing, he said the meeting had established a common belief that the environment is not a luxury, but fundamental to sustainable development.

The meeting meets the press: no lack of media presence

Anderson surrounded by the media minutes after the close of the meeting.

Anderson saying farewell to Juan Mayr, Minister of the Environment for Colombia [second from the left], and representatives from UNDP.