The discussions and debates in the COP16 They continue and according to the information provided to the press, the summit is making progress on certain issues, such as health or biodiversity, but The issue of financing remains the most divisive.
At the end of the first week of the biodiversity conference COP16 of the United Nations in Colombia, progress has been reported on key issues such as the relationship between biodiversity and health, the sustainable management of wildlife and also in tackling the factors causing wildlife degradation.
Progress and division during COP16
However, historical divisions remain that threaten to delay negotiations, especially on the mobilization of resources needed to finance action on biodiversity and the establishment of a multilateral mechanism toShare the benefits of nature’s genetic resourcesA.
Despite constructive talks this week and some encouraging progress on ‘easier’ issues in the COP16, it is still necessary to have one great confidence around financingO.
Countries must go beyond simply repeating their positions and instead look for solutions that create real progress. We are just two months away from 2025, the deadline set at COP15 for developed countries to provide $20 billion annually to developing countries for biodiversity conservation. It is critical that the financing is adequate, timely and accessible so that it reaches the people and places that need it most.
With the COP16 Aimed at the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), agreed by 196 States Parties in 2022 at COP15 in Montreal, WWF this week recognized the countries that have adopted National Biodiversity Action Plans and Strategies (revised NBSAPs) or new national objectives. However, he also pointed it out Many countries have not kept their promise to present plans at the start of the conference.
At the end of the first week, only 34 countries and the European Union (18% of parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)) have submitted their revised NBSAPs, while 115 countries (59% of parties) have submitted one or more have been published. more revised national targets. We ask countries that have not yet published their revised NBSAPs to do so as soon as possible, and no later than the end of 2025.
Colombia, as president of the COP16, presented a solid NBSAP on opening day, setting an ambitious tone. However, it is still uncertain whether next week the long-standing divisions over funding, causing stagnation.
One of the key issues for negotiators this week was defining how countries will mobilize resources between 2025 and 2030 to implement the KMGBF, a key focus of the resource mobilization strategy. In the middle of this financial discussions is the debate about whether a fund should be establishedor an additional fund exclusively dedicated to CBD, in addition to the Global Biodiversity Framework Temporary Fund (GBFF), managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Some countries claim that both the GBFF and the GEF are not sufficiently accessible.
Since then, little progress has been made on financing The countries remain very divided in their positionsleaving all text between square brackets. Despite the complexity, some constructive exchanges have taken place which are encouraging, although the end point and duration of this process remain entirely uncertain. There is no doubt that biodiversity funds need to flow quickly. We support the call to contribute to the ninth replenishment of the GEF and an ambitious capitalization of the GBFF.
Remarkable progress has been reported in addressing the drivers of biodiversity decline, also known as biodiversity integration. We are encouraged by the level of cooperation shown by some countries in transforming key sectors such as agriculture, food and finance, to integrate nature into decision-making.
In terms of wildlife management, a decision has been adopted providing additional guidance within the Convention in areas with significant gaps, for example in wildlife management nature and tourismidentified by WWF. Ongoing discussions concern synergies between climate and nature actions, as well as Article 8J, which examines proposals for a new work program and a permanent body, with the aim of creating the institutional space to facilitate the participation of indigenous and local communities in the work of the Convention.
Here in Cali in the COP16, There are still a significant number of unresolved issues. So that the COP16 To be successful, countries must focus on making concrete and important decisions to keep KGBF implementation on track. It is essential that agreement is reached on the way forward on financing, in particular on the issue of a new fund. Furthermore, discussions about digital sequence information or DSI will be a crucial element in the negotiations on the COP16.
Only one day left before the Biodiversity Summit held in Cali comes to an end. The COP16 must make crucial decisions regarding the care of species, the conservation of biodiversity, etc. But above all, the participants must agree on the financing of the actions that urgently need to be put into practice.