25/11/2024
RedLAC at COP16: Collaboration and Action for the Future of Biodiversity
Cali, Colombia, October 21-31, 2024 – As part of COP16, the Conference of the Parties, held this year in Cali, Colombia, under the theme “Peace with Nature,” the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Environmental Funds (RedLAC) engaged in a collaborative effort alongside the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Together with CAFÉ and ApNET, RedLAC organized an event that highlighted the role of Conservation Trust Funds (CTFs) while sharing key experiences, innovations, and achievements in conservation. This event provided a unique opportunity to strengthen partnerships, explore inclusive approaches, and promote action towards achieving the global biodiversity goal for 2030, particularly the 30×30 commitment.
Throughout COP16, RedLAC’s member led several sessions of great importance for biodiversity conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean, including:
1. Empowering SIDS: This session, led by the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), explored how Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have leveraged environmental funds to strengthen resilience and biodiversity in their territories through innovative financial strategies.
2. Engaging Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities for the 30×30 Goal: Led by the Tany Meva Foundation, this panel focused on inclusive approaches and collaboration with indigenous peoples and local communities, emphasizing how their knowledge and practices are essential for achieving the 30% biodiversity conservation target for 2030.
3. Financial Innovation for Conservation: BIOFUND presented the event “Win-Win: Engaging the Private Sector in Conservation,” which explored how collaboration between the private sector and Environmental Funds has contributed to conservation, generating benefits for both biodiversity and businesses.
4. Global Conservation Success Stories: Fondo Acción led the session “Financial Innovation and Success Cases for Biodiversity Conservation,” showcasing how conservation funds worldwide have made a positive impact through innovative financial solutions.
5. Panel “30×30: Experiences from Conservation Funds”: Led by the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature (FMCN), this space discussed the strategies, partnerships, and key learnings that have driven the goal of conserving 30% of global biodiversity by 2030.
6. RedLAC and Enduring Earth Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean: This agreement marks a mutual commitment to maximize conservation impact through a combination of global and regional expertise in sustainable financing.
Additionally, several RedLAC members actively participated in COP16, standing out in various pavilions where they shared their experience in managing environmental funds and conservation strategies. These interventions allowed for knowledge exchange, strengthening alliances, and demonstrating the impact of the funds in achieving global biodiversity goals, reaffirming their commitment to sustainability and international collaboration.
• Fondo Acción, with the support of the British Embassy in Colombia, launched the Seaflower Fund, the first long-term financial mechanism created in Colombia to contribute to the financial sustainability of protected areas and the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve in the San Andrés Archipelago, Providencia, and Santa Catalina. This fund will contribute to the protection and recovery of the coral reefs in the archipelago and improve the livelihoods of local communities and the Raizal people who inhabit it.
• The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) highlighted its marine conservation efforts at COP16. During COP16 in Cali, Colombia, CBF organized the parallel event “Actioning the Blue: A Caribbean 30×30 Vision for the Ocean.” Key leaders, such as Mr. David Myers (OECS Environmental Sustainability Division), Kevin McCall (World Bank), and representatives from the GEF and GCF, addressed the financing challenges facing SIDS in achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The event focused on strategies to unlock effective financing that drives marine conservation and sustainable development in the Caribbean. CBF reaffirmed its commitment to the 30×30 goal by advancing marine protection and supporting blue economy initiatives.
• MAR Fund at COP16 participated in the session “Monitoring and Evaluation of Coral Reefs: Perspectives for Conservation Impacts.” The discussion addressed how collaborative monitoring strengthens coral reef conservation actions. Key advancements were presented, such as the Caribbean Report to be revealed at UNOC 3 in June 2025, and the results of the recent Data Analysis Workshop held in October 2024.
• Profonanpe and key organizations strengthen Peru’s presence for biodiversity conservation. The Peru Pavilion became a key space to showcase the country’s progress in conservation and biodiversity, serving as a meeting point for addressing priority issues such as agrobiodiversity, food security, ecosystem restoration, and species conservation. These efforts aimed to promote innovative solutions that ensure a balance between economic development and environmental preservation.
RedLAC’s participation, along with its members, at COP16 reaffirmed the commitment of the region’s CTFs to collaborate and lead global biodiversity efforts, promoting inclusive, sustainable, and community-centered solutions.
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