Early this morning, representatives from 196 countries gathered in Colombia for the COP16 UN Biodiversity Conference. They agreed to establish a new global fund to share the benefits of using digital sequence information (DSI) from genetic resources.
This initiative, known as the “Cali Fund,” marks a significant step toward equitable distribution of profits from biodiversity resources.
This new fund ensures that companies profiting from products developed using DSI contribute a portion of their profits or revenues. Notably, 50% of the fund will be allocated directly or through governments to Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
This allocation aims to enable these communities, including women and youth, to finally share in the profits generated from natural resources they have traditionally safeguarded.
However, after an intense 24-hour negotiation sprint, the conference faced a setback. Discussions around establishing a broader biodiversity fund were postponed.
Other vital decisions were also delayed, and the meeting was suspended because there were no longer enough negotiators present to make decisions. This unexpected turn of events risks undermining confidence in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
“The outcome of COP16 represents a mixed bag,” said Ginette Hemley, senior vice president at WWF-US.
She acknowledged the progress on important issues like benefit sharing related to DSI, health, and biodiversity and mainstreaming biodiversity into infrastructure and other sectors. Yet, she cautioned that the need for more progress on finance will hold back efforts to halt and reverse natural loss by 2030.
Despite Colombia’s valiant efforts and the tireless work of many negotiators, the meeting’s suspension has cast a shadow over the conference’s achievements. Kirsten Schuijt, Director General of WWF International, expressed deep concern.
Kirsten Schuijt stated, “This outcome jeopardizes the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Nobody should be okay with this—because it will impact us all.”
Negotiations around establishing a broader new biodiversity fund for developing countries have been suspended. This delay hinders the financial support needed by developing nations to implement biodiversity conservation efforts effectively.
Furthermore, negotiations about monitoring progress could only be concluded after the conference was suspended. These discussions focused on filling gaps in the monitoring framework and the modalities for a global review process in 2026 and 2030.
Developed countries must meet their commitments to provide $20 billion annually in international biodiversity financing by 2025. Pledges to the interim funding mechanism, the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), in Cali, was also meager.
The fund totals $407 million, significantly less than the pledged amounts. Since the KMGBF was adopted, actions to identify and repurpose subsidies harmful to nature have made little headway.
At the end of COP16, 44 revised National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) were submitted. Additionally, 119 Parties have submitted revised National Targets, representing around 63% of countries.
It increased from before the conference when less than half of the countries had published plans or targets.
One of Colombia’s main goals was to bring together diverse community voices from around the world. They aimed to ensure these voices were heard at COP16. Dr. Lin Li, Senior Director for Global Policy and Advocacy at WWF International, reflected on this achievement.
Dr. Lin Li remarked, “For the first time, this truly has been a ‘People’s COP’—with increased participation of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, Afro-descendants, women, and youth, all raising their concerns for Mother Earth.”
Decision-makers must hear their voices in negotiation rooms, government offices, and business boardrooms, and their requests must be incorporated into decisions. This inclusive approach is essential for meaningful progress in biodiversity conservation.
Some notable progress included the mainstreaming of biodiversity across critical sectors. A new government-led Mainstreaming Champions Group was launched with the support of 18 Parties, and this number is growing.
Another critical development was adopting an action plan on biodiversity and health. This plan underscores the interconnectedness of ecological health and human well-being.
Moreover, adopting procedures for describing Ecologically Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs) in the oceans represents a significant step toward achieving the target of conserving 30% of ocean areas by 2030.
COP16 also saw unprecedented public participation, including in the UN CBD’s first Green Zone in Cali. This inclusive space allowed for greater involvement from various stakeholders.
With COP29 just weeks away in Baku, WWF welcomes the parties’ commitment to strengthen the alignment of NBSAPs and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). They also aim to explore more vital collaboration between the climate and biodiversity conventions.
Better tracking of funding sources to avoid double counting of nature and climate finance is also on the agenda.
Despite these positive steps, the need for more progress on financial commitments remains a significant concern. Developed countries still need to meet their obligations to provide adequate funding, which poses a substantial obstacle to effectively implementing the KMGBF.
Sandra Valenzuela, CEO of WWF Colombia, emphasized the importance of recognizing Afro-descendant people embodying traditional lifestyles in conserving biodiversity.
Sandra stated, “The recognition of the Afro-descendant people embodying traditional lifestyles in conserving biodiversity is essential for implementing the Convention. It is a step forward to achieve peace for nature.”
The conference’s suspension means that critical decisions have been delayed. These include establishing a broader biodiversity fund for developing countries and finalizing the modalities for monitoring progress.
The situation underscores the urgent need for global cooperation and commitment. Without sufficient financing and full international collaboration, the goals of halting and reversing nature loss by 2030 may remain out of reach.
The path forward requires renewed commitment and action from all parties. Establishing the Cali Fund is a positive step, but more work remains. COP16’s mixed outcomes highlight the strides made and the obstacles that still need to be overcome.
In summary, COP16 achieved some significant milestones but faced severe challenges. The agreement on the Cali Fund represents progress in equitable benefit-sharing.
However, the need for more progress on financial commitments and the suspension of critical negotiations pose significant threats to global biodiversity efforts.
Unified efforts are more crucial than ever as the planet confronts climate change challenges and biodiversity decline. The commitments made—and those yet to be fulfilled—will have a vital role in the planet’s ecological future.
The time to act is now, and the responsibility rests on the shoulders of the global community.