The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16), set to take place in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024, marks a pivotal moment in global efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. COP16 will be where the ambitious commitments of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), agreed upon at COP15 in 2022, are translated into real, actionable plans.
The GBF outlines an urgent roadmap with four long-term goals for 2050 and 23 targets to be achieved by 2030. These targets are designed to protect, restore, and sustainably manage nature, reversing decades of damage caused by human activity. A key focus of COP16 will be establishing a transparent monitoring framework to ensure countries can track progress toward these goals, making this meeting a critical juncture in the global fight to safeguard biodiversity.
25 October 2024 (Friday)
Forest and Water Day
As the world turns its eyes toward COP 16 as the platform to focus attention on implementing the ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework, Forest and Water Day will put a spotlight on the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of forests and water-related ecosystems for the successful implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and numerous global commitments.
10:40-11:40 – Event “Forest in Changing Climate”
World forest area continues to decline. Climate change accelerates disturbances through a combination of drought, wildfire, increased invasive species and increased tree mortality. At the same time, forests remain a key natural ally to mitigate and adapt to changing climate. For tropical and subtropical forests alone, the area of forests restored will need to be increased by a factor of 40 to fulfill the potential contribution towards limiting global warming to below 2°C. Is it achievable and how? The role of all types of forests including dryland, moderate and boreal forests will be highlighted to shine a light on their diverse services and functions benefitting people and nature.
Organizers: FAO, UNDP
11:40-12:45 – Event “Sustainable Forest Based Economy”
Almost 90 percent of global deforestation is due to agricultural expansion (FAO 2021). World wood production is at record levels, at about 4 billion m³ per year, and is expected to rise further, driven mainly by construction and packaging (FAO 2024) Green supply chains are an essential aspect of reducing deforestation and degradation. Supporting sustainable intensification, and strengthening smallholder farmers, creating markets and financial incentives could help consolidate actions for forest biodiversity conservation and maintaining nature’s contribution to people.
Organizers: FAO, ITTO
Contacts:
Julian Fox ([email protected]) and Yelena Finegold ([email protected])
Event “Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring: Why integration of multiscale tools are needed”
When: 13:20-14:40
Where: Paramos - NGOs meeting room, Plaza One
The side event will focus on exploring how governments can collaborate with civil society organizations and the private sector to ensure effective restoration monitoring at both national and global levels. Panelists from FAO, Brazilian Coalition, IUCN and Restor will discuss how to address the main technical and logistical challenges involved in integrating various restoration monitoring platforms. The role of international institutions in fostering ecosystem restoration will also be examined, along with strategies for countries to engage effectively in global restoration initiatives while accommodating their unique local and regional contexts. Additionally, the event will consider how the Observatory of Restoration and Reforestation can enhance transparency, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and facilitate the dissemination of crucial information for effective ecosystem restoration monitoring in Brazil. Lastly, the conversation will explore how technological innovation can continue to support and advance restoration monitoring efforts worldwide.
Organizers: FAO, SCBD, Coalizão Brasil, IUCN
27 October 2024 (Sunday)
UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration advisory board
Global leaders and experts convene to advance ecosystem restoration efforts, focusing on strategic initiatives and collaborations. The meeting will shape the next steps for restoring degraded ecosystems, contributing to climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development
Contacts/organizers: UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, FAO, UNEP
Contacts:
Julian Fox ([email protected]) and Yelena Finegold ([email protected])
GPFLR - Forest and Landscape Restoration strategically advancing Target 2 implementation with monitoring and resources mobilization across the Rio Conventions
When: 17:45-19:15
Where: IUCN Pavilion, Blue Zone
The Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration (GPFLR) will convene landscape restoration champions working at different scales demonstrating the latest progress on monitoring and finance mobilization. The panel will address the linkage between monitoring and resources mobilization challenges and opportunities based on 20 years of FLR work and what needs to be addressed aiming for effective impact. It will engage stakeholders to catalyze impact through GBF Target 2 setting and implementation during the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Organizers: The Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration (GPFLR), WWF, FAO
Contacts:
Julian Fox ([email protected]) and Yelena Finegold ([email protected])
28 October 2024 (Monday)
Prioritizing Nature in a Global Land Squeeze: Monitoring using advanced geospatial data, Google Earth Engine and AI
When: 10:30 - 11:30 (Cali time)
Where: Nature-positive Pavilion, Big Room
Learn how countries could use recent advances in science to inform spatial plans and monitor effective conservation outcomes. This session is for policymakers, practitioners, and innovators seeking to harness the power of trusted geospatial data and Google’s planetary-scale analysis platform to achieve this decade’s ambitious nature goals.
Organizers: WRI
Contacts:
Julian Fox ([email protected])
Restoration Roundtable: Ecosystem Insights for Global Action
When: 18:30-20:00 (Cali time)
Where: GEO Pavilion
This roundtable discussion will bring together key stakeholders to explore synergies between the FERM initiative, IUCN’s restoration efforts, and the Global Ecosystems Atlas. The focus will be on how these platforms can collaborate to enhance national monitoring, reporting, and verification processes for ecosystem restoration initiatives. Through a series of guided questions and open discussions, the roundtable will provide an opportunity for participants to share their experiences, identify challenges and propose solutions to enhance support to countries for ecosystem restoration efforts using integrated data platforms.
Contacts/organizers: IUCN, FAO
Contacts:
Julian Fox ([email protected]) and Yelena Finegold ([email protected])
30 October 2024 (Wednesday) - Restoration Day
COP16’s Restoration Day is collaboratively organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other partners including under the framework of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Tracking progress and building capacity: New guidance and tools
When: 11:10-12:40
Where: GBF Pavilion
Join us for the launch of the Target 2 Resource Guide, aimed at helping countries implement their commitments on restoration. The session will showcase the value of restoring diverse types of ecosystems, such as forests, grasslands, rangelands, savannas, inland water, peatlands, and marine and productive ecosystems. It will also look at how to monitor restoration across ecosystems, including with the Framework for Ecosystem Restoration Monitoring.
Organizers/speakers: Including: CBD, FAO, Society for Ecological Restoration, CIFOR-ICRAF, Brazil, Vietnam and more.
Contacts:
Julian Fox ([email protected]) and Yelena Finegold ([email protected])
Funding local restoration innovation: An umbrella programme to support FLR in Africa and beyond
When: 14:00-14:40 (Cali time)
Where: GBF Pavilion
A new regional programme across Africa, coordinated by FAO, will accelerate delivery of the African Forest Landscape Initiative – AFR100 by focusing on restoration-based value-added innovation with smallholder farm producers, thanks to the generous support of Germany.
Organizers: State Secretary in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Madagascar Secretariat of AFR100.
Where do we go from here? - The Target 2 Support Roadmap
When: 17:20-18:20
Where: GBF Pavilion
This last session will address the crucial topic of national capacity-building for countries to implement Target 2. From guidelines to e-learning courses and tools, you will learn about the support available to deliver on your NBSAP.
Organizers: CBD, FAO, CIFOR-ICRAF, UNCCD, Germany, the United Kingdom.
31 October 2024 (Thursday)
Peatland Power: Cultivating Biodiversity, Climate Resilience and Livelihoods
When: 11:40-13:00 (Cali time)
Where: Mavecure - Business and Industry Organizations meeting room
Plaza One
This side event will include the following elements:
- Exploring how peatland landscape protection, restoration and sustainable use can benefit of biodiversity, climate and people, playing a critical role in achieving the Biodiversity Plan
- Showcasing insightful and inspirational stories and case studies of peatland conservation, restoration and management from South America, Africa, Europe and Asia
- Providing practical routes for including peatlands in NBSAPs that reinforce the links between biodiversity and climate action, deliver multiple targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework, and enhance synergies with other multilateral environmental agreements.
Contacts:
Maria Nuutinen ([email protected])