Government representatives, entrepreneurs, and activists have flocked to Cali in western Colombia. The goal: to save the planet's flora and fauna. On Friday, it's time to show their true colors.
Some decisions have been made, but not on the major political issues, says Charlotta Sörqvist, who leads the Swedish delegation.
It's about three points: genes, money, and follow-up.
The first revolves around how information about living organisms' DNA and genetic material, so-called digital sequence information (DSI), will be used in the future.
The second concerns the financing of measures required to protect nature, where countries with great needs want to see a new fund that ensures the money reaches affected local communities and indigenous peoples.
Finally, they will agree on a framework for how the goals agreed upon during COP15 in Montreal will be followed up, so that they measure in the same way.
"A success"
Sörqvist does not want to comment on the tone, except that the meeting's host, Colombia, has initiated dialogues with the ministers.
Prior to the meeting, much has been said about indigenous peoples who have historically often been overridden, and how they can be made more involved when areas they live in are to be protected. For example, through the introduction of a special group that takes into account so-called traditional knowledge.
On Wednesday, a decision was made on a new work program for indigenous peoples and local communities' contributions to the preservation of biological diversity, which is a success. However, they did not complete the issue of a permanent group that would highlight the importance of these groups' contributions to the convention's work.
Will you agree on the major issues?
I hope we will agree, but it's probably easier to assess tomorrow (Friday). The whole day today, Colombia will have ministerial dialogues, and tomorrow, I assume they will put proposals on the table that we will have to take a stand on.
More companies
Compared to the top meeting in Montreal two years ago, the business community is significantly more present. Of 23,000 accredited delegates, 3,000 are said to come from the business community, compared to 1,000 in Montreal.
There is a greater commitment, definitely. I notice that there are many more Swedish companies here and many more observers overall. It shows that the Kunming–Montreal framework has become known and that people want to follow the process and be involved.
Simon Uggla/TT
Facts: This is COP16
TT
The UN top meeting on biological diversity, COP16, takes place in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1.
COP stands for Conference of the Parties and refers to the parties in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. The number 16 indicates which meeting it is in order.
The meeting is usually held every other year. Last time, in 2022, Canadian Montreal hosted. The historic agreement reached there includes 23 action goals and is called the Kunming–Montreal GBF (Global Framework for Biological Diversity).
The addition of Kunming comes from the Chinese city that was supposed to host the meeting, something that was changed due to China's then covid restrictions.
Biological diversity is the variation that exists within and between species and ecosystems. Simply put – how many living organisms there are.
Biological diversity contributes to functioning ecosystems, which in turn are a prerequisite for us humans to get food on the table, clean water, and fresh air.
The crisis for biological diversity is acute, and researchers warn that the world is heading towards a sixth mass extinction. For example, vertebrate populations have decreased by 70 percent since 1970.
Even in Sweden, several reports have shown a serious situation and negative trend for biological diversity. Currently, more than 4,700 species are red-listed here.
Source: The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, SLU
