COP 16: Towards a New Hope for the Planet?

The COP 16 on biodiversity opened in Cali, Colombia, with the main goal of taking action after the commitments made at COP 15 in 2022. At that conference, nations worldwide adopted an ambitious roadmap to preserve nature, including goals such as restoring 30% of degraded ecosystems, halving pesticide use, and mobilizing 200 billion dollars per year for biodiversity by 2030.

Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, emphasized the urgency of translating words into actions, reminding that the destruction of nature has serious consequences on various global issues, such as conflicts, poverty, hunger, diseases, the climate crisis, and biodiversity loss. He called for significant funding to support these efforts, particularly stressing the need to support developing countries, which are the most vulnerable to the collapse of biodiversity. According to him, the loss of nature's services (such as pollination and access to clean water) could lead to an economic loss of trillions of dollars per year, affecting the poorest populations the most.

This conference also marks the first major event since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022. However, the implementation of this agreement is progressing slowly. During COP 16, participating countries must present national biodiversity strategies, reflecting their commitment to meeting the 23 global objectives set. These objectives include, among others, protecting 30% of land and seas, reducing pesticide use, and restoring degraded ecosystems. However, many details regarding the concrete mechanisms to achieve these goals remain unclear, and the aim is to demonstrate in Cali that these promises will be kept.

Another crucial issue discussed at this COP is “biopiracy” (the illegal appropriation of biodiversity resources and associated traditional knowledge, often from indigenous communities). Wealthy countries exploit natural resources from developing countries without sharing the benefits with local communities that preserve them. Antonio Guterres addressed this problem and stressed that those profiting from biodiversity should also contribute to its preservation. He also highlighted the importance of indigenous peoples in biodiversity conservation, calling for the integration of their knowledge and practices into global conservation efforts.

The Minister of Environment of Colombia, who is the president of COP 16, added that it is not only about implementing regulatory mechanisms but also rethinking our way of life and development model, so that we live in harmony with nature rather than exploiting it without regard for its needs.

On the security front, a major challenge looms over COP 16: Cali is currently on alert due to the threat of guerrilla activity that could disrupt the conference. However, enhanced security measures have been put in place to protect delegates and ensure the smooth running of the conference.

In parallel with the debates in Cali, another part of COP 16 took place in Rome, where states managed to find a compromise on how to finance the 200 billion dollars needed each year to protect biodiversity. Financing had been a point of friction between the Global South, which called for the creation of new funds, and the Global North, which preferred to use existing mechanisms. In the end, an agreement was reached to improve existing financial instruments, including the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Fund, while identifying additional mechanisms to structure financial aid for developing countries.

Negotiators also agreed on the importance of monitoring the implementation of the commitments made. A monitoring mechanism has been established to track progress and assess actions taken by each country. The results will be reviewed at COP 17 in 2026 to take stock of progress and adjust actions if necessary.

Another significant outcome of COP 16 is the launch of the Cali Fund, which aims to ensure that companies exploiting genetic biodiversity resources contribute financially to its preservation. This fund will be supported by the private sector and will redistribute at least 50% of its revenue to indigenous peoples and local communities, supporting the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. The goal is a fair sharing of wealth between those who use genetic resources and the Global South, where these natural resources are located. As the Colombian Minister of Environment Susana Muhamad stated during its adoption: "This data escapes us, others use it, and we don’t realize it."

In conclusion, COP 16 represents a key moment to move from commitments to concrete action, particularly in terms of financing and tracking progress. The world must urgently respond to the ecological crisis, as the future of biodiversity and our planet depends on it.