The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) is underway in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024. With the theme “Peace with Nature,”. This conference holds immense significance as it follows the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at COP15.
The GBF sets ambitious goals to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve harmony between humanity and nature by 2050. Delegates at COP16 are focused on developing the framework’s monitoring and implementation plans, mobilizing financial resources, and advancing fair benefit-sharing mechanisms, particularly for digital sequence information on genetic resources.
UNCBD: A Global Commitment to Biodiversity
The UNCBD, established at the Earth Summit in 1992. UNCBD is a global treaty dedicated to preserving biodiversity, ensuring its sustainable use, and promoting equitable benefit-sharing from natural resources. The COP, the UNCBD’s governing body, meets biennially to assess and enhance global biodiversity efforts. These conferences bring together representatives from nearly 200 countries, Indigenous leaders, NGOs, and private sector representatives. These all develop strategies and policies for global biodiversity management.
Why COP 16 at Colombia ?
The choice of Colombia as the host for COP16 highlights the country’s rich biodiversity and the urgent need to protect its ecosystems. Environmental defenders in Colombia face significant risks, emphasizing the need for strong action. Leaders like Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Environment Minister Susana Muhamad have emphasized the importance of rethinking economic models. Addressing environmental justice, and protecting the rights of biodiversity defenders. This alignment of social and ecological justice is central to COP16’s mission. It Creating a platform to promote actionable commitments to biodiversity and equitable resource-sharing globally.
India’s Commitment to Biodiversity Conservation
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, presented India’s statement at COP16. He stressed India’s heritage of honoring Mother Earth and coexisting with nature. India, a mega-diverse nation, hosts four of 36 global biodiversity hotspots. The Minister promoted India’s “Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)” movement, supporting eco-friendly lifestyles.
India leads in global wildlife conservation by establishing the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) to protect seven major big cats. The Namami Gange Mission to revive the River Ganga earned United Nations recognition as a World Restoration Flagship. India increased Ramsar sites from 26 to 85 since 2014 and targets 100 soon.
India employs a “Whole of Government” and “Whole of Society” approach to updating its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). It aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The new NBSAP will launch on October 30, 2024, in Cali.
The Minister called for resources, technology, and capacity-building to meet NBSAP and Kunming-Montreal goals. India remains dedicated to global biodiversity, embracing the vision of “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
