This week, delegates are arriving in Cali, Colombia. The most significant biodiversity meeting in two years, COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, is being held here – one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. But all over the world, biodiversity is in crisis.

In December 2022, countries committed to take action to address the biodiversity crisis when they adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and related decisions. COP16 will agree on the practical ways to accelerate the implementation of this landmark agreement.

UNEP-WCMC’s experts are in Cali, working to support governments across all elements related to the Framework. Over the next two weeks we will engage with government representatives, Indigenous Peoples, business leaders and other stakeholders to find common ground and will connect with our networks to support them to collectively achieve successful outcomes.

Across the board, the world needs greater transparency and accountability, and increased action on implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework. There are a number of core issues that will be negotiated at this COP. The outcomes of these negotiations will determine the success of the meeting. Read on to find out key elements of some of what will be discussed in Cali and how UNEP-WCMC has contributed to progressing these items.

1. Enhance national monitoring and implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework

Natasha Ali, Deputy Head of Policy

A monitoring framework was adopted alongside the Global Biodiversity Framework, comprising a suite of indicators to be used by countries to plan, monitor, track and report progress towards national targets. Countries will need to report on whether the actions and policies they are implementing are sufficient to meet these national targets.

For more than 40 years, UNEP-WCMC has worked with a network of global partners to support the development, enhancement and implementation of national monitoring systems. Currently, our National Monitoring Support Initiative is increasing capacity, tools and systems for biodiversity monitoring. Doing this will enable nations to monitor progress implementing their actions to meet their national targets and identify areas where strengthened action might be needed.

Through our assessment of national capacity, countries indicated that they require additional human and institutional capacity and financial resources to monitor and implement their national actions. At COP16, we invite governments to reach out for the support available to enhance national monitoring. We call on donors to allocate resourcing to support capacity for national monitoring, including all elements of the data value chain, from data collection to management and analysis, to aid national decision-making. It is vital that capacity for monitoring is increased if we are to be able to show that we are on track towards, and ultimately meeting, the 2030 targets.

2. Accelerate biodiversity finance from public and private sources

Rodrigo Cassola, Principal Specialist for Nature and Finance

The Global Biodiversity Framework targets mobilising at least USD 20 billion from developed countries by 2025. With only a year to go to achieve this ambition, additional resources must be mobilised – from both development finance and other sources.

The launch of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund last year was an important step towards reaching the target, but to date few countries and no private sector or philanthropic organisations have pledged funding. Commitments to other funding mechanisms are similarly lacking, putting us far away from Target 19 of the Framework, which calls for international financial flows of at least USD 200 billion per year by 2030 in domestic and international biodiversity-related funding from all sources, including the private sector.

All funding flows now need to increase to enable implementation of the Framework, and the private sector has an essential role to play. UNEP-WCMC is looking at how to better incorporate a private finance perspective into national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) and the entry points for financial sector stakeholders to engage in and contribute to achieving national and global targets and goals. We will explore this in a series of briefs on NBSAPs and private finance to be presented during COP16, with the support of the Sustainable Markets Initiative's Financial Services Task Force.

We anticipate that COP16 will provide an impetus for governments, development banks and businesses to deliver the resources needed to realise the goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

3. Share the benefits from the use of genetic information fairly and equitably for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity

Daniela Guarás, Senior Technical Specialist, International Policy and Conventions

Genetic information is a vital source of knowledge and an essential dimension of many of the technological advances that societies benefit from. This information, which is stored in databases, is used across value chains to develop innovative products and services such as new medicines, detergents and improved varieties of crops for increased nutrition and resistance to extreme weather.

At COP16, one of the main priorities for countries is to adopt ways to ensure the effective functioning of the multilateral mechanism for fair and equitable benefit-sharing from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources. This will include considering who will need to make contributions to the mechanism, and how. It is essential that both monetary and non-monetary benefits are considered as the world advances the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. At UNEP-WCMC, we have provided input to discussions on the multilateral mechanism, especially highlighting forward-looking aspects that may affect the potential use of digital sequence information and, thereby, the further development and future effective functioning of the multilateral mechanism. This will be a key issue of discussion at COP16.

4. Ensure that protected and conserved areas are in the right places, equitable and effective

Heather Bingham, lead of the Protected Planet Initiative at UNEP-WCMC

With the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework, governments emphasised that protected and conserved areas are vital for nature and people, and that they can take diverse forms. Over and above the role of state protected areas in achieving the target to conserve 30 per cent of the Earth’s lands and waters (Target 3), recognising the rights and contributions of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IP and LCs), who conserve significant parts of the world, will enhance efforts to achieve this target.

However, not enough data is available on how effectively IPs and LCs are being brought into the implementation of Target 3, something that will be highlighted in UNEP-WCMC’s new Protected Planet Report, which will be released at COP16.

The report also shows that there is limited data on the effectiveness of management and conservation in many areas being counted towards Target 3. This is being addressed through a system in development by UNEP-WCMC and partners, which is expected to facilitate standardised reporting of data on how effectively protected areas are being managed. This is important as assessing percentage coverage alone doesn’t show whether that protection is having a positive impact on the ground, or whether it is being carried out with respect for the rights and knowledge of the people who live there. While there is considerable interest in progress towards the 30 per cent target, the Protected Planet Report also explores the other, equally important elements of the target.

The report will provide important insights, and follows an extended period of work with governments to compile the best available data. The report will be available on 28 October.

5. Commit to using indicators on traditional knowledge and gender

Katherine Despot-Belmonte, Senior Specialist in Nature, Gender and Rights

The adoption and use of traditional knowledge indicators by countries will be one of the items discussed at COP16. These indicators will help to ensure that the invaluable knowledge and practices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities are not only recognised but actively incorporated into biodiversity action, fostering more inclusive and sustainable outcomes.

UNEP-WCMC has worked with partners to assess how traditional knowledge indicators and community-based monitoring can help monitor the ambitious goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework, including Target 22.

UNEP-WCMC and NGO Women4Biodiversity with funding from SwedBio, a development programme, have also supported the co-development of an indicator on national implementation of the Gender Plan of Action to track efforts towards ensuring gender equality and the gender-responsive implementation of the Framework. This is a tool that will enable countries to assess their progress towards the three expected outcomes from the Gender Plan of Action and Target 23.

A successful COP16 would be one that delivers on the remaining commitments from the UN Biodiversity Conference in 2022 and provides countries with the necessary guidance and support to fully and effectively implement all aspects of the Global Biodiversity Framework. The task at hand is ambitious but achievable.

Neville Ash, Director of UNEP-WCMC

Main image: AdobeStock_284418692