The science is clear. Our window of opportunity to halt and reverse biodiversity loss is narrowing by the minute. However, as the week-long UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) negotiations on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework conclude in Nairobi with very limited progress, many are left wondering if Parties have forgotten how serious the situation really is. 

In spite of the urgency to act swiftly to secure life on this planet – which most delegates acknowledged when taking the floor - Parties spent long hours wordsmithing the text of draft goals and targets, wasting precious time going back and forth. Conceptual clarity could have been provided by experts, such as IUCN’s delegates present in the sessions but for the most part our microphones remained muted despite many requests to contribute to discussions.

It must be recognised that there are substantive differences between national and regional groups’ positions that will require dedicated attention, flexibility, leadership and most importantly, compromise, before a truly global framework to halt the loss of biodiversity is adopted. In particular, it is critical that adequate means - financial resources, capacity development and technology transfer - to implement the framework wholly are secured and employed.

Ahead of the much-awaited fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to be chaired by China but hosted by Canada in December this year, negotiations and intersessional discussions must be carried out in a constructive manner. Parties must find true compromise on the key building blocks of this global plan for nature -  what should be achieved by 2030 and what by 2050 - and define clear, simple, measurable, achievable and communicable outcome goals and action targets. 

Many will return home with a sense of unfinished business; especially given the announcement at the closing plenary that a small, regionally balanced group of Parties will be established to work on the text of the global biodiversity framework, and of a fifth full meeting - subject to financial resources - three days before COP15.

Rising above self-interest will be essential.  We have a collective responsibility to honour the life with which we share this beautiful planet. If we fail, we fail humanity today, all future generations, and the planet. For its part, IUCN stands ready to provide scientific, technical, convening and any other support to ensure COP15 is a success.  

Blog by Sonia Peña Moreno, Director of IUCN’s International Policy Centre