UNITED NATIONS, March 1 (Xinhua) -- The General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution to proclaim 2021-2030 the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

The aim is to support and scale up efforts to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide and raise awareness of the importance of successful ecosystem restoration, within existing structures and available resources, says the resolution.

It stresses that ecosystem restoration and conservation contribute to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as other related UN endeavors, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change.

The non-binding resolution encourages member states to foster political will, the mobilization of resources, capacity-building, scientific research and cooperation and momentum for ecosystem restoration at the global, regional, national and local levels.

Member states are also asked to mainstream ecosystem restoration in policies and plans to address current national developmental priorities and challenges due to the degradation of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity loss and climate change vulnerability.

They are asked to develop and implement policies and plans to prevent ecosystem degradation, build on and reinforce existing restoration initiatives, facilitate synergies and a holistic view of how to achieve international commitments and national priorities through the restoration of ecosystems.

Member states are encouraged to promote the sharing of experiences and good practices in ecosystem conservation and restoration.