COP 16 of Convention on Biological Diversity 

Syllabus: GS3/ Environment

Context

• The Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 16) will be held in Cali, Colombia.

Convention on Biological Diversity 

• Origin: The Convention was opened for signature in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio Earth Summit).
  • The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force on 29 December 1993. 
•  The first session of the COP was scheduled in 1994 in the Bahamas.
• Secretariat: Montreal, Canada.
• Ratification: The CBD has been ratified by 196 nations, making it one of the most widely adopted international treaties.
  • The United States is the only UN member state that has not ratified the convention.
• It has 3 main objectives;
  • The conservation of biological diversity
  • The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity
  • The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
• Governing body is the Conference of the Parties (COP), which meets every two years. 

Supplementary Agreements of CBD

• Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: This international treaty governs the transboundary movements of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology, ensuring that countries can manage risks associated with biotechnology.
  • It was adopted in 2000 and entered into force in 2003.
• Nagoya Protocol: This agreement focuses on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising from their utilization (ABS), aimed at ensuring that benefits derived from genetic resources are shared fairly with the countries of origin.
  • It was adopted in 2010 and entered into force in 2014.

Momentum for 30 x 30

• One of the main objectives of COP16 is to expedite progress on the 30 x 30 targets which are the most immediate. 
• It is a commitment to put at least 30% of the world’s lands and oceans, especially biodiversity rich areas, under conservation by 2030, and to initiate restoration work in at least 30% of degraded land or marine ecosystems by 2030.

Way Ahead

• Implementation Gaps: Identifying and overcoming challenges in the implementation of existing biodiversity agreements.
• Equitable Access: Ensuring equitable access to genetic resources and fair sharing of benefits derived from their use.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Establishing effective mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on biodiversity targets.

Source: IE