IUCN calls for constructive negotiations ahead of the resumed sessions of CBD COP16

Last year, the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) took place, in Cali, Colombia under the theme “Peace with Nature”.  It was the first Biodiversity COP since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) in December 2022.  

COP16 adopted 27 decisions to move forward the implementation of the Convention and the KMGBF, before the meeting was suspended.  

Read more: IUCN at UN Biodiversity Conference CBD COP16

Resumed sessions of COP16

In Rome, Parties will continue the negotiations on key decisions that were not adopted, and that are critical for the operationalization of the KMGBF. These include the monitoring framework, the mechanism for planning, monitoring, reporting and review, the resource mobilization strategy, the financial mechanism and the multi-year programme of work of the Convention.

As delegates reconvene for the resumed session of CBD COP16, IUCN stresses the urgent need for swift and decisive action to implement the KMGBF and calls for constructive negotiations to adopt decisions commensurate with the urgency of the biodiversity crisis.

IUCN's key messages include:

Strengthen the Monitoring Framework

Extensive work has gone into the draft Monitoring Framework and IUCN:

• Urges Parties to adopt the decision on the Monitoring Framework, endorsing the revised indicators to track biodiversity progress effectively.
• Commits to supporting Parties in the application of tools like the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, the Red List of Ecosystems, and the Global Ecosystem Typology.

Enhance accountability in biodiversity monitoring and reporting

Governments will make decisions that will determine how progress toward KMGBF implementation will be reviewed at COP 17. Parties will also consider incorporating commitments from non-state actors, including youth, women, indigenous peoples, local communities, civil society, and the private sector.

With one year to go until the first national reports after the adoption of the KMGBF are due, IUCN highlights the urgency of promptly adopting revisions to reporting templates. Delays in adoption could compromise the quality and timeline of the global review of progress.

IUCN also:

• Calls for the integration of commitments and contributions from all stakeholders—not just national governments—into the global review of progress, encouraging reporting of progress to ensure a comprehensive assessment.

Mobilise resources for biodiversity conservation

A major focus of this meeting is a new resource mobilization strategy aimed at securing $200 billion annually by 2030 from all sources for biodiversity initiatives and reducing harmful incentives by at least $500 billion per year by 2030.

Parties will also explore the potential establishment of a global financing instrument for biodiversity, designed to mobilize and distribute funding effectively.

Acknowledging the importance of financial resources for effective biodiversity action, IUCN calls on Parties to:

• Engage in constructive discussions on resource mobilisation and adopt the revised strategy for 2025-2030.
• Take immediate action within existing frameworks, avoiding delays in funding that could slow progress on biodiversity commitments. In this sense, IUCN calls on donors to support further capitalisation of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund.
• Phase out harmful subsidies and increase investment in nature-positive initiatives that align financial flows with KMGBF goals.

Enhance international cooperation

The implementation of the KMGBF would greatly benefit from the collaboration across biodiversity-related conventions and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). IUCN:

• Supports initiatives that concretely strengthen cross-Convention collaboration, between the Rio Conventions and other MEAs.

• Encourages stronger collaboration between the CBD Secretariat and UN DOALOS, recognizing the importance of the BBNJ Agreement in meeting KMGBF targets.

   

Read the full set of messages 

With only a few years left to achieve the 2030 targets, IUCN urges all Parties to rise to the challenge and commit to accelerate implementation efforts to protect nature.