For the second time in a few months, the Representatives of the 16th world conference About biodiversity (COP16) They only have a few hours to agree on the controversial matter of financing and to prevent this important meeting.
At the end of 2024, In Colombia they were without agreement on this subject After two weeks of tense negotiations, when the agent was abruptly suspended due to lack of quorum. HE He resumed in Italy for a short recovery session, which finally had to end on Thursday 27 February.
New chance of biodiversity: COP16.2
Negotiations in the first part of the Cop 16 in Colombia was interrupted after a marathon closure and were suspended by the president of the topSusana Muhamad, given the lack of agreement to make decisions. With the confirmed participation of various ministers, the meeting in Rome has acquired a high political profile, which can be the key to continue in the negotiations.
The first part of the COP16 reached a historical agreement with the creation of a new global background -the Cali -Fund Dedicated to sharing the benefits derived from the use of information from digital sequences of genetic sources.
In this second part of the top, The most important challenge will be to take on a strategy for mobilizing resources in the coming 5 years that guarantees fair and effective financing to develop the worldwide framework for biodiversity.
So far, The debate is aimed at creating a new specific background under the biological diversity convention Van de UN, given the concerns of the countries of the Global South about the management of the current World Living Fund and its ability to offer sufficient and adequate resources.
Kirsten Schuijt, Directora General The WWF InternacionalHe warns that The world cannot afford to stop progress in biodiversity. «The global biodiversity framework is not only a series of ambitions: it is our route map towards a more sustainable and fair future. We cannot allow ourselves to escape from our hands. The world must move forward, not experience new obstacles that slow down critical environmental obligations.
Landing They had to reach COP16 in Rome with a real political will for dialogue and cooperationBecause the biodiversity crisis will have even deeper consequences of what is currently understood. “Countries must build a solid, reasonable and well -funded path to biodiversity goals by 2030. If you do not work together, we will never run the risk of never arriving,” Schuijt added.
You have to act
In 2025, more than 900 world leaders of companies, governments, academic world and civil society were placed The loss of biodiversity and collapse of ecosystems in the four most serious global risks For economies and societies in the following decade.
Meanwhile the Living Planet Report 2024 that revealed that World populations have fallen on average 73 % since 1970While the climatic crisis continues to destroy communities and exerts increasing pressure on ecosystems.
“All paths can go to Rome, but if we want Guido Broekhoven, Director of Research and Development of Policies of the NGO. “We are already in 2025: these obligations must be fulfilled urgently.”
Breekhoven also remembered that South Global countries must receive at least 200 billion annually by 2025, in addition to the redistribution of $ 500 billion in perverse subsidies for nature. He also underlined the need to guarantee direct access to these funds for indigenous peoples and local communities that play a key role in the preservation of biodiversity.
The role of indigenous people is crucial
The recognition and leadership of indigenous peoples and local communities is a central theme in the COP16. Their rights are reflected in the Purpose 22 of the global biodiversity framework And they are a priority for the president of the top, Susana Muhamad.
Despite its recent dismissal as Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia, after a restructuring of the cabinet, Muhamad continued in her role as President of COP16 during meetings in Rome.
“The The COP16 presidency has shown leadership, ambition and dedication that consensus reaches. Now the top must conclude with concrete decisions about financing and define the monitoring mechanisms. We are at an important moment: countries must confirm their dedication to biodiversity. There is no time to lose », Sandra Valenzuela, executive director of the NGO for Colombia.
He owes and the honor of the COP16
During the first part of the COP16 In Colombia, important progress such as:
- The creation of the “Cali Fund”, which is expected to be launched in Rome, to mobilize funds of companies that use digital genetic information.
- Creating a subsidiary for indigenous peoples and local communities
- An expected decision on the identification of ecological or biologically significant areas in the oceans.
However, Various critical similarities continue to stagnate in COP16 due to blocking in the financing. Among them:
- Drain the monitoring indicators to evaluate how the most important biodiversity sectors integrate into their strategies.
- Define the process to increase the ambition in COP17 after the global revision of progress.
- Determine how the UN Convention on Biological Diversity will coordinate with other multilateral agreements.
With the countdown by 2030 at that time, from the NGO they warn that the COP16.2 is a turning point in Rome: without a solid agreement on financing, the fight against the loss of biodiversity would be in danger.