UN chief seeks 'significant' funding at summit to save nature

UN chief Antonio Guterres on Sunday urged "significant investment" in a fund created to safeguard Earth's biodiversity as he addressed delegates to the world's biggest nature protection conference in Cali, Colombia. The meeting, which officially opens Monday, had a ceremonial kickoff with Cali on high alert after threats from a guerrilla group.

He made a video address to guests gathered for the event taking place under the protection of thousands of Colombian police and soldiers, aided by UN and US security personnel. He also highlighted that destroying nature increases conflict, hunger and disease, fuels poverty and slashes GDP.