04.11.2024
COP16 on biological diversity brings wins for indigenous peoples
The 16th Conference of the Parties on Biological Diversity (COP16) in Cali, Columbia, came to an abrupt close over the weekend. Running overtime, the summit had lost its quorum in the early hours of Saturday on the heals of increasing numbers of attendees running to catch already rebooked flights home.
Importance for indgenous peoples
The conference stands as one of the most important international processes for indigenous peoples striving to protect their territories. Climate Alliance supported the attendance of several indigenous partners, among them, Robert Guimaraes Vasquez, Leader of the Shipibo People of the Peruvian Amazon (Ucayali). While there, Guimaraes highlighted the challenges faced by indigenous communities such as deforestation and uncontrolled resource exploitation while emphasising the fundamental role of indigenous peoples in the conservation of Amazonia and other biodiversity hotspots. Throughout Amazonia and especially in Peru’s Ucayali region, outspoken indigenous leaders continue to be murdered for their efforts to protect their lands.
COP16 successes and fails
The calls of Guimaraes and other indigenous leaders at COP16 did not go unnoticed with some successes resulting in more inclusion for indigenous communities. COP16 saw the creation of an the indigenous-led body officially institutionalising indigenous participation in the Convention – a large step towards more equitable ecosystem protection. Another widely-touted success, the newly created Cali Fund, encourages companies to share profits from their use of genetic information sourced from natural ecosystems with 50% of the funding allocated to indigenous communities. Unfortunately, the fund remains voluntary and some argue that it is merely promotes biopiracy.
Many key decisions, however, were left untouched. Discussions on the establishment of a new, more comprehensive biodiversity fund were postponed as was advancement on the goal of conserving 30% of the world’s land and ocean spaces by 2030 via the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The EU delegation, led by the Hungarian Presidency and the European Commission, was part of the block that rejected calls for a fund. With time running short to protect vital biodiversity, COP16 has left us with a few positive decisions, some wins for inclusivity and virtually no agreement on the funding needed to back them.
