Leonardo DiCaprio expressed support for a large-scale global initiative to protect endangered species, announced in Yerevan

ArmInfo. Hollywood actor and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio expressed support for a large-scale global initiative to protect endangered species, announced in Yerevan during the COP17 biodiversity conference.

According to the press service of the Colombian Foreign Ministry, Colombia and Armenia have launched the Coalition for the Recovery of Endangered Species (CARES). The coalition includes 16 founding governments: Armenia, Belize, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Madagascar, Mexico, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the United Kingdom, and Vanuatu.

"For Colombia, preventing extinction is not enough. The real challenge is to decisively move toward restoring species to their natural habitats." This vision is at the core of our "Miracle Nation" ABC program. In Colombia, we are already making this goal a reality by taking action to restore endangered species such as the Orinoco crocodile and the blue-billed curasso, as well as to restore the yellow-eared parrot population. Through the CARES program, Colombia and Armenia are committed to strengthening international cooperation and moving from commitments to concrete actions that will ensure the sustainable recovery of endangered species," stated Colombian Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development Fabio Arjona Hincapié, as quoted by the Colombian Foreign Ministry.

Leonardo DiCaprio responded to the coalition's launches, expressing his belief that preventing extinction is not enough. In his words, it is essential to save endangered species and restore their populations.

"Announcements at the UN Conference on Biodiversity (COP17) demonstrate growing global momentum toward achieving this goal. Seventeen countries, led by Armenia and Colombia, have joined the new Coalition for Action on Endangered Species Recovery (CARES), committing to accelerate efforts to prevent extinction and achieve measurable species recovery."

Nine philanthropic foundations and organizations, including my organization, Re:wild, have formed the Species Recovery Alliance, collectively committing and pooling more than $500 million over five years to support the recovery of endangered, critically endangered, and threatened species worldwide. These two separate initiatives share a common goal: helping to restore the world's most threatened species, which requires sustained investment, coordinated conservation action, and long-term commitment. "Congratulations to the founding governments and organizations," the actor wrote on his Instagram page.

Leonardo DiCaprio, an award-winning actor and four-time Oscar nominee, has been an outspoken advocate for environmental issues throughout much of his career. In 1998, at the age of 24, DiCaprio founded his foundation, dedicated to protecting the last remaining untouched corners of the Earth and developing solutions for a more harmonious relationship between humanity and nature. Through grants, public campaigns, and media projects, DiCaprio has raised awareness and secured funding for biodiversity conservation, sustainable marine and forest management, and climate change.

The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation supports more than 35 innovative conservation projects worldwide that help preserve fragile ecosystems and key species. DiCaprio also serves on the boards of several environmental organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and Clean Seas and Oceans 5.