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What are the CBD and COP?

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is responsible for the conservation of biological diversity all around the world. The Conference of Parties (COP) forms the governing body which through negotiations and discussions on goals and targets ensure effective implementation. This year, 2024, will see the 16th meeting of the COP,  run by the Governments of Colombia to make important decisions on biodiversity conservation.

 

Why is CBD COP16 important?

The Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES,2019 ) Report, has given us the evidence that over 1 million plant and animal species are now threatened with extinction. This has been compared to the Cretaceous–Paleogene mass extinction that wiped out the non-avian dinosaurs and nearly 76% of all species. The only difference between the previous mass extinction and the one we are witnessing currently is humans. Human beings are driving the present (sixth) mass extinction, leading to a collapse of ecosystems, extinction of species, resulting in an ecological crisis which is happening on a much smaller timescale (decades) than Earth has ever experienced. The COP16 in Cali will

be the first COP following the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in CBD COP15 December 2022. At COP16, countries are expected to have their updated national targets or National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), aligned with the GBF. The targets and plans discussed and agreed upon during the 13 days of negotiations (from October 21 - November 1, 2024) will decide how our planet’s biodiversity and ecosystems should be conserved. This is critical as we cannot afford to have a weak GBF that will not help us conserve our biodiversity the way it should be, enabling it to thrive for generations to come.

 

Youth participation at COP

About 1.2 billion people (16% of the world) are within the age group of 15–24 and 52% are below the age of 30. These numbers make it clear on how a majority of the population “youth” will be at the receiving end of unplanned and ineffective decisions all the while not being able to represent themselves. The Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) is the  youth group to the UNCBD that ensures that, through capacity building, workshops and sessions, the concerns and voices of the youth are brought to the negotiating table. GYBN aims to ensure that youth decisions and priorities are reflected in the goals and targets and that youth remain a key stake/right holder (along with indigenous communities women and children) in the conservation of our biodiversity. We hope that our efforts in Cali, will help turn the tide.