I was asked if I would provide a brief overview of the British governments efforts to foster environmental conservation around the world. The UK plays an active role in promoting environmental protection. We are, for example the largest donor to the United Nations’ Great Apes Survival Project, which is trying to prevent the extinction of these amazing creatures. As we speak we are leading the international lobbying to prevent the lifting of the moratorium on whaling in advance of the annual the International Whaling Commission in July. However, the key to environmental protection is, as most here will realise, local partnerships. For this reason, I would like to focus on the Darwin Initiative, a fund that has supported much valuable work here in Chile and that is based on the creation of partnerships at local level.

First, however, I would like to start by reading an except from Charles Darwin’s journal of November 1834, when, as part of his trip to the region aboard HMS Beagle, he visited the island of Chiloe: ‘In the evening we reached the island of San Pedro, where we found the Beagle at anchor. In doubling the point, two of the officers landed to take a round of angles with the theodolite. A fox (Canis fulvipes), of a kind said to be peculiar to the island, and very rare in it, and which is a new species, was sitting on the rocks. He was so intently absorbed in watching the work of the officers, that I was able, by quietly walking up behind, to knock him on the head with my geological hammer. This fox, more curious or more scientific, but less wise, than the generality of his brethren, is now mounted in the museum of the Zoological Society.’ Obviously, Darwin’s theory of the survival of the fittest did not apply in this case. Thankfully however, through the excellent work of Dr Stephan Funk and his colleagues it appears that the descendants of that poor fox will live to see another day, safe from the hammers of roving naturists. Charles Darwin’s trip aboard HMS Beagle to Chile directly contributed to his theories of the origin of the species, theories that he continually developed until his death in 1882. Of course it is hard now to appreciate how radical his views were at the time, particularly the idea that man was descended from the apes and that the earth was, in fact, many millions of years old. Such ideas were shocking and even offensive for many at the time. A few still find them so. Now, however, his name is synonymous with rigorous scientific endeavour and brilliant theoretical analysis inspiring generations of scientists and botanists.It was for this reason that his name was chosen for one of the UK government’s main environmental protection funds.

I would like to explain a bit more about this fund, which currently supports four projects in Chile, although I am aware that some here will already know of its existence. In fact, Chile has traditionally always been quite successful in securing funding. The Darwin Initiative, which is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, aims to assist those countries, which are rich in biodiversity but less rich in financial resources to fulfil their obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The goal is to help countries to conserve their biodiversity and to use it sustainable.The Darwin Initiative was announced by the UK Prime Minister at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. The CBD was one of the main outcomes of the same summit. Responsibility for implementing the CBD rests with individual countries. But many areas of the world that are rich in biodiversity are also in the less developed regions of the world -where resources to support biodiversity conservation are more limited.The Darwin Initiative was set up in direct recognition of this. And it has so far committed over £35 million to more than 300 biodiversity projects in 100 countries. The budget for this year is £5million. Although relatively a small amount, the impact that Darwin projects have is large. In particular, they help to foster partnerships at a local level, essential if effective environmental protection is to be developed. They also directly contribute to the World Summit on Sustainable Development target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010.

The biodiversity we see today, and Chile is an exceptionally good place to see it, is the fruit of billions of years of evolution, shaped by natural processes and, increasingly, by the influence of humans. The world relies on biodiversity for all human needs - for food, fuel, shelter, materials, medicines, soil fertility, crop pollination, soil stability, cleansing of waters, climate regulation and much more. The current rate of the loss of the world's biodiversity has been compared to mass extinctions of former eras such as the disappearance of the dinosaurs. In his message to the international community for International Biodiversity Day just a couple of weeks ago, the UN Director General, Koffi Annan, described the consequences of failing to stop the current loss of biodiversity as 'too awful to contemplate'. Few here would argue with that. The effects that man can have on the natural environment can be clearly seen from San Cristóbal Hill most winter days. Regarding the Darwin projects themselves, they must be novel, innovative and distinctive; of high quality and researchers should demonstrate excellence in their field; they must also raise awareness of the value of natural resources and their sustainable use in helping to eliminate poverty and develop sustainable livelihoods – where this is appropriate to the type of project.About half of the projects funded so far have focused on countries within Africa and Asia that have considerable biodiversity and significant problems of loss of habitats and species. South America has also attracted a large number of projects for similar reasons. But there are a large number of eligible countries and this has resulted in a wide distribution of projects throughout the world, including the Oceania and Central and Eastern Europe.The projects are all collaborative and involve partnerships between UK institutions and local organisations. A typical project lasts for up to three years and has Darwin funded costs of about £35,000 to £70,000 a year, usually with funding from other sources that at least matches the Darwin contribution.Darwin projects are diverse. They have brought training and education to people at all levels and ages from school children to village elders and government representatives; With the help of local stakeholders, produced strategies and management plans for protected areas and management plans for threatened species and their habitats; Supported the production of field guides, local keys and database management, shared good practice in conservation techniques, research methods and environmental impact assessments; Involved fieldwork training and yet others have tackled issues such as access to and repatriation of data, and benefit sharing.

More details on the award and how institutions can apply can be found on the Darwin Initiative website: www.darwin.gov.uk

Lastly, I think it appropriate to salute all those in Chile, including many here today, who are working to protect Chile’s own biodiversity. Many work in remote and inaccessible areas, and do work that is innovative, imaginative, and fulfils high standards of excellence and that has a lasting impact on biodiversity and local livelihoods. Chile has the most amazing natural landscapes and I can only hope that through such work these can be protected from the pressures of economic development for future generations to enjoy.“