Insights into the resumed 16th Conference of Parties in Rome

From the 25th to the 28th of February 2025, the FAO headquarters in Rome hosted the resumed 16th Conference of Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Delegates from all around the world gathered to address pressing issues left unresolved from the previous session in Cali, Colombia (Oct 21, 2024 – Nov 1, 2024). The outcomes were a blend of optimism, financial pledges and a few cliffhangers.

Back Story

Biodiversity plays an important role in ecosystem services, and they are crucial to our survival and well-being. It serves as a foundation for building a resilient and sustainable future. However, since the 1970s we have a seen a decline in biodiversity, and dependence on these resources are increasing. Trillions of USD are generated annually through economic activity reliant on nature, yet a significant financial gap of 1 trillion for biodiversity remains, particularly impacting developing countries. Bridging this financial shortfall is imperative to biodiversity conservation and sustainability.

At COP15 in 2022, the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted to counter biodiversity loss. The framework set out four goals for 2025 and 23 targets for 2030. We would like to underline 2 targets which are relevant to EUROPARC and its members, working to manage Protected Areas.

• Target 2 highlights the restoration of 30% of ecosystems by 2030.
• Target 3 calls attention to the conservation of 30% of terrestrial, inland water and of coastal and marine areas by 2030.

Additionally, target 19 which aims to mobilise 200 billion USD per year for biodiversity, including 30bn through international finance.

EUROPARC underlines that we do not just need more Protected Areas, but that our protected spaces need to be effectively managed to achieve their conservation objectives. We are working on advancing this work through the LIFE PAME Europe project, which you can learn more about here.

Cali Fund

To further the progress on bridging the financial shortfall, the Cali Fund was established during COP16. Named after the city where discussion began, the funds will be sources from private sector such as agribusiness and pharmaceuticals that uses genetic materials for commercial purposes. A key achievement of COP16 is the decision to allocate these funds to indigenous peoples and local communities, ensuring their crucial role in biodiversity conservation is recognised and supported.

A Strategy for Resources Mobilisation was adopted to address financial biodiversity gap through mobilising 200bn USD annually, with an additional 20bn USD in international flows by 2025.

Furthermore, a framework was adopted for planning, monitoring, reporting and review (PMRR). The framework enhances accountability in achieving the GBF’s 23 target and four goals. It also includes guidelines for how countries should develop their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans.

Indigenous Voices

A significant outcome of COP16 was the establishment established of a new permanent subsidiary body to ensure the meaningful contributions of Indigenous peoples and local communities in implementing the Convention’s objectives. This development embeds the knowledge and perspectives of indigenous people across global biodiversity efforts.

COP16 was another step towards a world that balances human, economic and biodiversity needs. EUROPARC advocates for Protected Areas to be at the forefront of these discussions.