In Colombia, COP16 biodiversity is entering its second week in Cali. Representatives from more than 190 countries are taking a first step together, two years after the historic agreement concluded in Montreal to halt the destruction of nature. This includes insects, mammals, forests, microorganisms and others, all organisms essential to human life on Earth. Although many subjects were put on the table after a week of summit, very few commitments were made.
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With our special correspondent in Cali, Lucile Gimberg
Countries continued to provide their national commitments to be in line with those made collectively in Montreal: for example, protecting 30% of land and seas or reducing pesticides. It was in India on Sunday evening, Friday Namibia and Uruguay, but not all have done so yet.
As for the discussions, some agreements were found on marginal subjects, but not on key subjects, such as indicators to evaluate these national commitments. During this first week, the negotiators from the different countries mostly talked to each other and listened to each other. And they confirmed the points of tension.
The first is to know how and to what extent pharmaceutical, cosmetic or agri-food companies will pay for having made money by using genetic data from plants and animals. The latter were, in most cases, taken from countries in the South.
Second subject of friction: the necessary increase in funding for biodiversity. These two subjects will now pass into the hands of ministers and some heads of state. They are expected Tuesday October 29 at Cali.
The Africa group, in particular DRC and South Africa, will once again demand a dedicated fund for biodiversity. Rich countries, like those of the European Union, assure that the current mechanism, hosted by the Global Environment Fund, already works well.
This Monday, October 28, several developed countries should give pledges by putting back into the pot to try to reach the objective of 20 billion dollars annually by 2025. We will see if this is considered sufficient by the countries of the South.
Also readCOP16 biodiversity: challenges and messages from Africa
During COP16, Cali celebrates nature thanks to the civil society space, in the city center
It was a desire of Gustavo Petro’s government: to make COP16 Biodiversity not only a meeting of environmental diplomacy, but also a popular meeting. This ” COP of people ”, as the government promotes it, is a success. Over the past week, several tens of thousands of people have come to spend time in the space dedicated to civil society. The traditionally called “ green zone » was, for the first time, installed in the city center.
“Here, people really like culture. So, with all the dancing and singing shows that there are, it touches them and many talk about the COP. »
In Cali, a party atmosphere for the “people’s COP”