The COP16 in Cali ended on Saturday, November 3 instead of Friday, November 2, after a few hours of extra time, with a lack of quorum and with more uncertainties than certainties, except for a few achievements, including victory. creation of the new Cali fund.
Environmental groups welcome the new ‘Cali Fund’, but warn that delaying key decisions could hinder full implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Continue with the COP29 in Baku is over, the efforts of the parties are cause for celebration to strengthen the alignment of the NBSAPs and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and to explore stronger cooperation between climate and biodiversity conventions.
On November 1, 196 countries agreed to create a new global fund – the Cali Fund – dedicated to sharing prosperity benefits arising from the use of digital sequence information from genetic resources at the UN biodiversity summit, COP16, in Colombia.
However, after 24 hours of final negotiations, discussions about the establishing a new, broader biodiversity fundas well as other important decisions, were postponed and the meeting suspended because there were no longer enough negotiators in the room to make decisions. This outcome could undermine confidence in and implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
What is the “Cali Fund” and what will it be used for?
The decision on the so-called ‘Cali Fund’ stipulates that companies use it digital sequence information (DSI) of genetic resources in their products they must allocate a portion of their profits or income to the fund.
While details of distribution are still being worked out, it has been agreed that the 50% of the fund goes to indigenous peoples and local communitiesdirectly or through governments. This will ultimately make it possible to share the profits with these communities, including women and youth.
Negotiations on the financing fund have been suspended
Discussions on monitoring progress have advanced over the past two weeks, with a focus on filling gaps in the monitoring framework and modalities for a global review process in 2026 and 2030 (the so-called ‘balance sheet’), which would help hold countries accountable in implementing the KMGBF. Unfortunately, these negotiations could not be concluded before the suspension of COP16.
Developed countries are lagging behind in meeting their commitments to provide $20 billion annually in international biodiversity financing by 2025. Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, They were also in short supply: with a current total of $407 million. Actions to identify and redirect subsidies that harm nature have made little progress since the approval of the KMGBF.
Statements about COP16
“The new ‘Fondo Cali’, although imperfect and with many details to be resolvedit is an important step. This fund ensures that companies that benefit from nature contribute fairly to biodiversity conservation and that vital funds reach the people and places that need them most.
Despite Colombia’s determined efforts and the tireless work of many negotiators in the COP16, Unpleasant building consensus and bridges between countriesthe suspension of the meeting jeopardizes the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
No one should be happy about this because it affects us all. Fulfill the mission to stop and reverse nature loss It would never be easy in 2030, but now we are dangerously off course.” This is what Kirsten Schuijt, general manager of WWF International, says
“Follow the negotiations on biodiversity financing here in Cali it was like a root canal. The disagreement between donor and developing countries shortly before the meeting was suspended, while regrettable, is not surprising.
Countries have been divided for years and have failed to find a solution that works for everyone. However, further postpone the urgent decision on the fund for the CBD endangers the achievement of the nature objectives for 2030”. This was explained by Bernadette Fischler Hooper, Global Advocacy Leader of WWF-UK.
For Sandra Valenzuela, Director of WWF-Colombia: “The approval of the Article 8(j) work program and the subsidiary body is a transcendental decision of the COP16 ensuring the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the work carried out under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The recognition of the role of Afro-descendants in biodiversity conservation is essential for the implementation of the treaty. It is a step towards peace with nature.”
Roberto Troya, WWF Vice President and Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean explained that: “In terms of people’s participation and long-delayed recognition, COP16 marked a before and after for Latin America and the Caribbean.
With the establishment of a permanent subsidiary body for indigenous peoples and the recognition of Afro-descendants, we have taken a giant step towards environmental justice and inclusive biodiversity conservation.
Unfortunately, in other areas the balance of COP16 It is less fortunate, but we hope that the commitment of Latin America and the Caribbean will push us strongly towards a sustainable future with an upcoming station in Brazil for the COP30 climate.”
The ”positive part” of COP16
At the end of the COP16, they showed up 44 National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) revised, and 119 country parties have submitted revised National Targets, representing around 63% of countries, an encouraging increase compared to the situation before CO16, when less than half of countries had published plans or targets.
In the COP16 Notable progress was made in:
- The integration of biodiversity in key sectorswith the launch of a new integration champions group led by government and supported by 18 parties (which is growing).
- The adoption of an action plan on biodiversity and health.
- Procedures to describe Biologically and ecologically significant areas (EBSAs) in the oceans (an important step towards the goal of conserving 30% of ocean areas by 2030).
- COP16 also saw unprecedented public participation, including the first UN CBD Green Zone in Cali.
- Progress was also made indoors integration of nature and climate efforts. With COP29 taking place in Baku in just a few days, the parties’ commitment to strengthening the alignment of NBSAPs and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) is cause for celebration.
- Discover a stronger collaboration between climate and biodiversity.
- Better identification of funding sources for avoid double counting of financing for nature and climate.
Although there are points that should be emphasized as truly positive and which are the result of the negotiations of the COP16, In general, the celebration of this Biodiversity Summit has left us with a bitter tastelike valuable time wasted.