ECLAC at COP16 Colombia: Together for biodiversity and sustainable development

Under the theme “Peace with Nature”, the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) takes place from October 21 to November 1, 2024 in Cali, Colombia. This conference, the first since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (MMB-KM) In 2022, it brings together government representatives, scientists, international organizations, civil society and other key actors to discuss global challenges for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), as a regional organization of the United Nations, will have a key participation in policy discussions to protect biodiversity in Latin America and the Caribbean, one of the richest regions in biological diversity . ECLAC will highlight the importance of integrating environmental sustainability into social and economic development strategies and promoting public policies that align biodiversity conservation with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Among the topics that ECLAC will address at COP16 are:

• Biodiversity economics: Analyze how natural resources can contribute to economic development without compromising long-term sustainability. ECLAC will participate in debates on the economic valuation of biodiversity and the opportunities offered by the bioeconomy.
• Conservation Funding: Discuss innovative financing mechanisms for biodiversity conservation, including tax incentives, market mechanisms and climate finance.
• Sustainable development and social inclusion: Underline the interrelationship between biodiversity, poverty and equity, and present proposals for the inclusion of local communities, indigenous people and environmental defenders.
• Resilience and adaptation to climate change: Highlight how biodiversity conservation can be integrated into climate adaptation plans to increase community resilience.
• Integration of biodiversity in public policies: Promote innovative solutions in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

In addition to his participation in the thematic discussions, the Executive Secretary of ECLAC, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, will participate in a series of high-level events, highlighting the importance of biodiversity in the sustainable development of Latin America and the Caribbean.

During COP16, Salazar-Xirinachs will be a keynote speaker, panelist and moderator in various sessions that will address the intersection between biodiversity, economics and climate finance (Colombia time):

2. Panelist at the event on “Bioeconomy and its impact on climate change mitigation: Global bioeconomy alliance for the sustainability of the planet and economic growth for all” (October 28, 9:30 – 10:15): This panel will promote a global circular bioeconomy alliance to accelerate policies and strategies that support biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Salazar-Xirinachs will address the importance of the bioeconomy for the Latin American and Caribbean region, highlighting the economic opportunities offered by the transition towards sustainable production models.

3. Moderator at event: Public debt and Biodiversity loss: From tension to coherence. Panel Discussion: Impact of debt on biodiversity conservation” (October 28, 1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.): The Executive Secretary of ECLAC will lead the discussion on the necessary reforms in the international financial system to support the conservation of biodiversity and the management of public debt.

4. Keynote speaker at the presentation of the implementation plan of the Escazú Agreement in Chile (October 29, 8:30 – 9:30): It will highlight the importance of regional actions in access to justice and public participation in environmental issues.

5. Keynote speaker at the event”CAF, the green bank of Latin America and the Caribbean. Actions for a Cleaner and Sustainable Region” (October 29, 11:00 – 12:00): It will share the main policy messages to confront the climate and biodiversity crisis, and the financial actions promoted by CAF, highlighting the mobilization of resources and the creation of strategic alliances to advance the energy transition and the preservation of biodiversity.

6. Keynote speaker at the UN Regional Commission’s high-level side-event: “Key actions for interregional and regional implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” (October 29, 1:20 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.): This event organized in coordination with the five regional commissions of the United Nations highlights the important role of the commissions in the implementation of the MMB-KM. During the event, the document will be presented “Mainstreaming Biodiversity and Investment Across Regions and Sectors”which highlights best practices, key messages and interregional actions necessary to accelerate biodiversity conservation. Salazar-Xirinachs will talk about the importance of integrating biodiversity into public policies in Latin America and the Caribbean, and how interregional alliances can enhance the impact of actions towards sustainable development.

7. Keynote speaker at the High-Level Segment of the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (October 29, 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.): In this high-level segment, Salazar-Xirinachs will participate in dialogues on ongoing actions and commitments to advance the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aligning with the UN Secretary-General’s call to end the war of humanity against nature.

8. Participant in the: High-Level Thematic Ministerial Dialogue: “Urgent Action for Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” (October 29, 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.): The Executive Secretary will be part of the discussion on the main challenges and progress in the implementation of the global goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, highlighting urgent actions and commitments at the national level. The results will be presented at the closing session of the High Level Segment.

ECLAC’s participation in COP16 reaffirms its commitment to biodiversity as a key driver of sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean. Through various side events and panels, the Executive Secretary of ECLAC will highlight regional leadership in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (MMB-KM), by promoting biodiversity as an essential pillar for the transition towards a more equitable and sustainable development model. These spaces will be an opportunity to make best practices visible and foster a transformative dialogue on how to turn conservation challenges into opportunities for economic and social development, aligning with the objectives of the MMB-KM and the 2030 Agenda.