By William Abala
Nairobi, Kenya: On October 20, 2024, the world took a critical step toward healing the planet, as the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) opened in Cali, Colombia.
The ceremony marked the beginning of two weeks of high-stakes negotiations on how to turn the commitments of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) into concrete action.
With more than 23,000 delegates from around the world, including heads of state, ministers, scientists, and civil society leaders, this historic gathering is set to define the future of global biodiversity.
The ceremonial opening, held in the city of Cali, was attended by several global leaders.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro took center stage, delivering a powerful speech that reflected on the urgency of the moment.
“We are in a race against time,” Petro said. “Our ecosystems, the lungs of our planet, are collapsing, and this COP is our chance to act before it’s too late. The decisions we make here will determine the fate of our biodiversity, the future of our climate, and the survival of humanity.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who spoke via video link, echoed this message, emphasizing the interdependence of biodiversity and climate.
“Biodiversity and climate change are two sides of the same coin,” he stated. “Without healthy ecosystems, we cannot mitigate climate change, and without addressing climate change, biodiversity loss will accelerate. We are all in this together, and now is the time to move from promises to action.”
Colombia’s Commitment to Biodiversity
As the host country, Colombia showcased its role as a biodiversity hotspot, boasting one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.
Environment Minister Susana Muhamad, who was sworn in as the incoming President of COP 16, delivered an impassioned address that set the tone for the days ahead.
“Colombia is proud to host COP 16 because we are home to 10% of the planet’s biodiversity,” she said. “But this wealth is under threat. We need to act now to protect our forests, rivers, and oceans. Our indigenous communities have protected these ecosystems for generations, and it is time the world recognized their leadership.”
Muhamad highlighted Colombia’s recent initiatives to protect biodiversity, including the creation of new protected areas and increased funding for conservation. She called on other nations to follow suit, urging them to commit more resources to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), established to support biodiversity conservation worldwide.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted at COP 15 in 2022, set ambitious targets for protecting biodiversity by 2030.
Key goals include conserving 30% of the world’s land and seas, halting extinctions, restoring degraded ecosystems, and reducing harmful subsidies. At COP 16, the focus is on turning these global commitments into national action.
“Every country must now present its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP),” said Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the CBD, during the ceremony.
“These plans are the foundation of our efforts to protect biodiversity. We have seen incredible progress since COP 15, but we are still far from where we need to be. This conference will be a test of our resolve.”
According to Mrema, 33 countries have already submitted updated NBSAPs, while 105 additional nations have submitted national biodiversity targets. The success of COP 16 will depend on how well these plans align with the global goals set in Kunming-Montreal.
Global Leaders Pledge Support
World leaders in attendance delivered speeches underscoring their nations’ commitments to biodiversity.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a vocal advocate for environmental protection, addressed the gathering, saying, “The Amazon is not just Brazil’s treasure; it is the world’s treasure. We are taking bold steps to protect our rainforests, but we cannot do this alone. Global cooperation is essential.”
Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa emphasized the importance of marine conservation in his country, which is home to the Galápagos Islands. “The ocean is a vast and fragile ecosystem that sustains life on Earth. Ecuador is committed to marine protected areas, but we need international support to manage and enforce these areas effectively.”
Kenya’s 2030 Biodiversity Target
Kenya has set a national target to effectively manage all areas, both land and marine, by 2030 to minimize biodiversity loss.
The goal is to ensure that these areas are under biodiversity-inclusive participatory spatial planning, addressing land and sea use changes while safeguarding the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs).
Key actions to achieve this target include implementing the National Spatial Plan (2015-2045) and developing biodiversity-inclusive spatial plans for all 47 counties.
Kenya will also prioritize the creation and execution of management plans for protected and conserved areas, including Marine Spatial Plans.
This strategic planning aims to balance human activities with environmental protection, such as through the establishment of buffer zones around ecologically sensitive habitats, enhancing green spaces, and conducting natural capital accounting.
Kenya’s approach aligns with global biodiversity goals under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
The national target corresponds with various GBF targets, notably ensuring sustainable land use (GBF-T01) and the restoration of 30% of degraded areas (GBF-T02).
Kenya also aims to address human-wildlife conflict and promote species recovery (GBF-T04), along with reducing pollution (GBF-T07) and enhancing urban green and blue spaces for human well-being (GBF-T12).
To achieve this, Kenya recognizes the need for a whole-of-government approach, integrating biodiversity considerations into decision-making processes across all sectors.
This includes policies that mandate environmental impact assessments and zoning laws, which help safeguard sensitive areas from unsustainable development.
The involvement of local communities and stakeholders is also critical, as efforts to uphold the land and resource rights of IPLCs ensure their meaningful participation in the conservation process.
This target is closely aligned with Kenya’s Vision 2030, which emphasizes sustainable development and biodiversity conservation as cornerstones for economic growth and societal well-being.
