Global Decline of Nature Raises Stakes at U.N. Biodiversity Conference

Around the world, biodiversity is in trouble, with up to 1 million animal and plant species teetering on the brink of extinction and habitats disappearing at an alarming rate. This trajectory threatens not only the natural world but also economies, food security and efforts to address climate change.

These realities add urgency to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity’s Conference of the Parties (COP16), taking place through 1 November in Cali, Colombia. This gathering of global leaders and representatives from Indigenous communities, science and academia, industry and elsewhere marks a pivotal moment in the efforts to safeguard biodiversity.

COP16 is the first such gathering to follow the December 2022 adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at COP15 in Montreal. Among other goals, the GBF calls for protecting 30 per cent of the planet’s land and waters by 2030—a target known as 30 by 30.

At COP16, negotiators are expected to discuss national biodiversity action plans, global progress towards conservation targets, financing, social equity, integration of local knowledge into policy and more.

The decisions made at COP16 will have far-reaching consequences for the future of nature and people. By translating the commitments of the GBF into tangible actions, the global community could reverse biodiversity loss and help to build a more sustainable future for all.

Some of the key events on the COP16 schedule include (all times in Colombia Standard Time (GMT-5)):

Financial mechanisms for conservation: Opportunities and advances for Indigenous Peoples and communities in Bolivia, Brazil and Ecuador

• Date and Time: Thursday 24 October, 8 a.m.-9 a.m.
• Location: Nature Positive Pavilion, main stage (Blue Zone)

Conserving the Southern Ocean – an urgent and large-scale step to success in achieving 30x30 in the ocean and delivering the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

• Date and Time: Thursday 24 October, 3 p.m.-4:20 p.m.
• Location: JUSCANZ, Plaza One(Blue Zone)

Indigenous and traditional peoples as water custodians: Initiatives to advance the Global Biodiversity Framework targets for inland waters

• Date and Time: Thursday 24 October, 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Location: IUCN Pavilion (Blue Zone)

Evento academica: Capacity building for effective management in the southern cone

• Date and Time: Saturday 26 October, 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
• Location: Chile Pavilion (Blue Zone)

Growing effective conservation management: Celebrating advances and recognizing challenges to conservation quality and permanence for 30 by 30

• Date and Time: Saturday 26 October, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
• Location: Nature Positive Pavilion, small room (Blue Zone)

Rivers for peace: A global challenge for freshwater protection at the binational level; the opportunity of the Chilean-Argentine Patagonia

• Date and Time: Sunday 27 October, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.
• Location: Chile Pavilion (Blue Zone)

Innovative sustainable financing solutions and tools towards conserving 30 per cent of the ocean by 2030

• Date and Time: Monday 28 October, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.
• Location: Nature Positive Pavilion, main stage (Blue Zone)

Indigenous-led PFPs in Canada: A transformative model for conservation and stewardship (panel presentation)

• Date and Time: Monday 28 October, 1:20-2:40 p.m.
• Location: Paramos - NGOs meeting room, Plaza One (Blue Zone)

Conversation and special announcement on sovereign debt conversions for nature and climate

• Date and Time: Tuesday 29 October, 12 p.m.-1 p.m.
• Location: Nature Positive Pavilion, main stage (Blue Zone)

Innovative finance leveraging durable conservation for nature and people

• Date and Time: Tuesday 29 October, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
• Location: Nature Positive Pavilion, main stage(Blue Zone)

LLF, PFP, and CTFs: Funding instruments to achieve durable impacts for conservation and communities

• Date and Time: Wednesday 30 October, 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Location: GEF Pavilion (Blue Zone)

30 by 30: Experiences from conservation trust funds

• Date and Time: Wednesday 30 October, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
• Location: GEF Pavilion (Blue Zone)

Protecting marine corridors with strong policy actions

• Date and Time: Thursday 31 October, 8 a.m.-9 a.m.
• Location: Nature Positive Pavilion, main stage (Blue Zone)

Comparing mechanisms and metrics for the conservation of continental waters, with a focus on South America (workshop)

• Date and Time: Thursday 31 October, 9 a.m.-10 a.m.
• Location: Nature Positive Pavilion, small room (Blue Zone)

Inland water conservation in Latin America: Advances, mechanisms, and political leadership for 30 by 30

• Date and Time: Thursday 31 October, 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m.
• Location: IUCN Pavilion (Blue Zone)

Building momentum for youth priorities toward 30 by 30 and BBNJ implementation, a nature positive path to UNOC3

• Date and Time: Thursday 31 October, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
• Location: Nature Positive Pavilion, small room (Blue Zone)

IUCN Green List in Chile and sharing experiences with the regional Green List community

• Date and Time: Thursday 31 October, 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
• Location: Chile Pavilion (Blue Zone)

Masha Kalinina coordinates The Pew Charitable Trusts’ cross-campaign efforts with the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity