UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15)
From the 7th of December until the 19th, the UN Biodiversity Conference is finally taking place. All of the Parties which make up the UN Convention on Biological Diversity are meeting up again in Canada. This is because China, as a president of the group, decided that the 15th UN Convention will reconvene taking place in Montreal. If you are asking yourselves, why would the conference reconvene if it hasn’t started?, it is a good question.
The conference was originally planed to take place in Kunming, China 2020. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, it got postponed. Afterwards, the COP15 got split into a two-part event.
- Part one, was held in Kunming last October 2021. This first phase of the conference was held virtually, with limited onsite participation. The Chinese President XI Jinping and other State leaders made online speeches with one specific aim: to reinforce their commitment to address the biodiversity crisis. The highlights were, Chinas intention to invest into the Kunming Biodiversity Fund and the creation of a solid foundation for the 2nd part.
- Part two, will convene governments from around the world to agree on a new set of goals regarding the nature over the next decade.
It is with great pride that I can confirm Canada will welcome the world to Montreal in December 2022 for COP15. There is an urgent need for international partners to halt and reverse the alarming loss of biodiversity worldwide. With up to one million species currently at risk of extinction worldwide, the world cannot afford to wait any longer for global action on nature protection. Canada will continue to advocate for international collaboration on an ambitious Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
Conference structure
The UN Biodiversity Conference comprises three meetings held concurrently:
- Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- Tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
- Fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of the Benefits Arising from Their Utilization
Beginning of the Conference
The first part of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP), included the opening of the Meetings. Afterwards, addressed agenda items that were identified as essential for the continuation of the operations of the Convention and the Protocols by the Bureau were discussed. This included meetings about administrative matters and technical issues related to CBD programs.
Everything related to press conferences and briefings, will be available via live webcast or video. They will be streamed here. Besides, the main schedule is also published. Finally, regarding everything that happens during the conference, under #COP15 and #UNBiodiversityConference on social media, there is much more information you can find.
The time has come to change the trajectory of our planet and, in turn, the future of humankind. We can no longer continue with a ‘business as usual’ attitude. This December in Montreal, Canada, I challenge every nation and every person to support the adoption of AN AMBITIOUS, REALISTIC AND IMPLEMENTABLE post-2020 global biodiversity framework; our roadmap to a healthy, sustainable future.
to be continued…
The Conference will also discuss the implementation of the protocols of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Moreover, these regulate the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of nature, and the safe transport, handling and labelling of Living Modified Organisms. A specific framework will be used, enabling the creation of an ambitious plan. And this plan implements broad-based action to cause a transformation in society’s relationship with biodiversity. With the aim of ensuring that by 2050, the shared vision of living in harmony with nature is fulfilled.
