 Honourable Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi, for his keynote address to video conferencing. Namaskar, Honourable Prime Minister, sir. Honourable Prime Minister, sir. India is one of the most diverse countries of the world. With 2.4% of world's land area, it contributes about 8% of the global biodiversity. India is blessed with ecological habitat and also has four biodiversity hotspots. The Eastern Malayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Normal Landscapes, and Andhra and Mekoba Islands. In addition, India is also home to around 500 species of migratory birds from across the globe. Ladies and gentlemen, for 80s, conservation of wildlife and habitat has been a part of the cultural ethos of India, which encourages compassion and coexistence. Our Vedas spoke of protection of animals. Emperor Osoka put great emphasis on preventing the destruction of forests and the killing of animals. Inspired by Gandhiji, the ethos of non-violence, the protection of animals and nature, that is puttably insane in the constitution of India. It also finds reflection in several laws and legislations, sustained efforts over the years. How late to enter any results. The number of protected areas have increased from 745 in 2014 to 870 in the year 2019. With an area coverage of nearly 1,7000 square kilometers, India's forest cover has increased significantly. The present assessment also indicates that the total forest cover is 21.67% of the total geographical area of the country. India has been championing climate action based on the values of conservation, sustainable lifestyle, and green industry transition leadership with Sweden have seen encouraging participation from wide array of countries. India is one of the few countries whose accents are compliant with the Paris Agreement goal of keeping rise in temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius. Friends, India has initiated focus species conservation projects program. These have shown great results. The number of tiger reserves has increased from 9 since its formative years to 50 at present. At present, India has the distinction of having a population of almost 2,970 tigers. India has achieved its target of doubling the number of tigers two years before the committed date of 2022. I call upon tiger range countries present here and also others to come together to strengthen tiger conservation through sharing of benchmarking practices. India is supporting more than 60% of global Asian elephant population. 30 elephant reserves have been identified by our states. India has also taken several initiatives and set standards for conservation of Asian elephants. We have launched project snow leopard to protect the snow leopard and its habitat in the upper Himalayas. India recently hosted the steering committee of the global snow leopard ecosystem program of 12 countries which resulted in new Delhi declaration, envisaging development of country specific framework and cooperation between countries for snow leopard conservation. I am happy to share that India would be taking a leadership role in promoting green economy including conservation of mountain ecology with people's participation. Friends, the gear landscape in Gujarat is the only home for the Asiatic lion and the pride of the country. We have initiated an Asiatic lion conservation project since January 2019 to protect the Asiatic lion. I am happy to share that today the population of Asiatic lions stands at 523. In India the one hunt rhinoceros are found in three states of Assam, Uttapadesh and West Bengal. The government of India launched the national conservation strategy for the Indian one hunt rhinoceros in the year 2019. The great Indian buster are critically endangered birds as also been at the focus of our conservation efforts. At part of the captive breeding program, nine eggs have been successfully hatched from the bite. These have been accomplished by Indian scientists and forest department with technical assistance from International Fund for Huwara Conservation Abu Dhabi. We have therefore made the mascot GIBI the great as a tribute to the great Indian buster. Friends, India is honored to host the 13th conference of parties to the convention on migratory species at Gandhinagar. As you might have noticed the CMS COP 13 logo is inspired by the traditional column from southern India which has a profound significance in the contracts of living in harmony with the nature. Friends, we have been traditionally participating the mantra of Atiti Devo Bhava. This has been reflected in the slogan theme for the CMS COP 13 migratory species connect the planet and together we welcome them home. These species move between countries without any passports or visa but are messengers of peace and prosperity and it is our responsibility to protect them. Ladies and gentlemen, India would hold the presidency of this convention for the coming three years. During its presidency, India would steer in the following areas. India is a part of the Central Asian flyway for migratory birds. With a view to conserve the birds along the Central Asian flyway and their habitats, India has prepared a national action plan for conservation of migratory birds along the Central Asian flyway. India would be happy to facilitate preparations of action plan for other countries in this regard. We are keen to take the conservation of migratory birds to a new paradigm with active cooperation of all the Central Asian flyway range countries. I also wish to establish an institutional mechanism for undertaking research, studies, assessment, capacity development and conservation initiatives by creating a common platform. Friends, India has about 7500 kilometers coastline and Indian marine waters are reaching biodiversity with innumerable species. India proposed to strengthen its association with the Abyan, with the ASEAN and East Asia Summit countries. This would be in sync with the Indo-Pacific Ocean initiatives where in India will be playing a leadership role. India by 2020 will be launching its marine turbotel policy and marine standing management policy. This will also address the pollution caused by micro plastics. Single youth plastics have been in a challenge for environment protection and we in India have been on a mission mode to reduce its usage. Friends, several protected areas in India share common boundaries with the protected areas of neighboring countries. Cooperation in conservation of wildlife through establishment of trans-boundary protected areas will lead to very positive outcomes. Friends, my government firmly believes in the path of sustainable development. We are ensuring that development happens without harming the environment. We have released the linear infrastructure policy guidelines to tailor development in ecological fragile areas. People are being made important stakeholders in the stock of preserving the natural resources for future generations. My government has been marching ahead with the slogan, sabka sat, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas. Millions of people in the vicinity of forest areas in the country have now been integrated in the form of joint forestry management committees and eco development committees and associated with the protection of forests and wildlife. Friends, I am sure this conference will provide an excellent platform for experiencing and capacity building in the areas of species and habitat conservation. I also hope you will get the time to experience India's hospitality and reach diversity. Thank you. Thank you very much. Enjoy your stay. Thank you.