CALI, Colombia – A pivotal moment for biodiversity has arrived with the start of the 16th Conference of the Parties under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 16), with almost 23,000 pre-registered participants representing nearly every country on Earth.
The two-week meeting in Cali is anticipated to be a landmark event in implementing the ambitious goals and 23 targets for 2030 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted at COP 15 in 2022.
These targets include restoring degraded ecosystems, reducing harmful subsidies, and protecting 30% of the world’s land and seas by 2030.
At a formal inauguration, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, his Environment Minister Susana Muhamad, who doubles as the new President of COP 16, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres (via video) addressed the delegates.
What key speakers told delegates at the start of COP 16
The UN boss said that Colombia, as the host country of COP16, hopes that this will be the COP of implementation, in which concrete actions can be articulated for the fulfilment of the Kunming Montreal Global Framework, and that the conservation and care of biodiversity can be positioned at the same level as decarbonisation and energy transition.
“Furthermore, for us, it is essential that this is a platform for Indigenous peoples, local communities, and all sectors of society to decarbonise and hear about their crucial role in making Peace with Nature,” said Guterres.
Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad said the global community must seize this moment to ensure that biodiversity is preserved, restored, and valued for its crucial role in sustaining life on Earth.
“COP 16 is the time to move from words to action. The future of life on our planet depends on it,” said the new President of COP 16.
CBD Executive Secretary Astrid Schomaker said all eyes will be on Cali as COP 16 begins under the theme of Peace With Nature.
“This will be a key moment to turn Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework commitments into tangible action,” Astrid explained.
What are some of the key issues expected to be addressed
– National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans: The First Progress Report on the KMGBF
– Digital Sequence Information: An Emerging Frontier in Biodiversity
– Unlocking Finance for Biodiversity from all sources
– Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities: Guardians of Biodiversity
– Climate Change and Biodiversity
– Biodiversity and Health
– Invasive Alien Species: A Global Threat
– Risk assessment and risk management: A pivotal moment in the regulation of living modified organisms
– Marine and Coastal Biodiversity: Safeguarding Our Oceans
Who are some of the notable global leaders expected at COP 16
Meanwhile, the vice-presidents of Bolivia, Gabon, Kenya, Cuba, and Spain, as well as the heads of state of Brazil, Ecuador, Hait, Guinea-Bissau, Guatemala, Mozambique, and Surinam, are anticipated to attend later in the conference.
Nearly 100 ministers will join them for the High-Level Segment of COP 16 (October 29–30), where participants will try to finalise agreements before the conference ends on November 1, 2024.
The delegates have a lot of work ahead of them. Nation’s advancements in implementing the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) are anticipated.
What are some of the issues that were discussed at COP 15
Negotiations will operationalise the multilateral framework (created by COP 15) for the just and equitable distribution of gains from using Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on genetic resources, including a global fund.
Negotiators are also anticipated to agree on mobilising more resources for biodiversity conservation and ensuring their timely distribution where they are most needed.
Additionally, as guardians of biodiversity and essential collaborators in its preservation, restoration, and sustainable use, the emphasis will be on acknowledging and using the contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities.
At COP 16, the stakes are higher than ever. The conversations highlight the complex issues facing our planet, and more significantly, they highlight how urgently we must act as a group.
Overhanging the event is the question: Can the world transform promises into real change?
