As Colombia continues to play a leading role in the COP28 in Dubai, today the country announced its official offer to host in 2024 the sixteenth meeting of the biannual United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP16), the most important event in the world on this issue.
The Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Susana Muhamad, said “Colombia has made a bid, we are waiting for the response from the Committee that defines the venue. The request is made as it represents a great opportunity for the most biodiverse nation per hectare in the world. This is an event that would send a message from Latin America to the world about climate action and the protection of life”.
This offer reflects the strategic importance and natural wealth of Colombia, the third most biodiverse country in the world, with more than 67,000 identified species of fauna and flora.
For his part, David Cooper, Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity said that “he is pleased to receive this offer from the Government of Colombia to host the COP16. Colombia is home to enormous biodiversity and is an inspiring example of how to engage with indigenous peoples and local communities, Colombia is also at the forefront of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity”.
What is the COP on Biodiversity?
This important event brings together more than 190 countries, observer organizations, youth groups, civil society, academia, and the general public to advance negotiations and highlight the global importance of protecting and restoring nature through four goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030.
They aim to address biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems, share benefits fairly and equitably, and protect the rights of indigenous peoples.
The summit also includes meetings on biosafety, and on access and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
Canada was the last country to host the Biodiversity Summit, in December 2022, along with China, which chaired the meeting. COP15 ended with a historic agreement to guide global action for nature towards 2030 following the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This plan includes concrete actions to halt and reverse the loss of nature, including protecting 30% of the planet and restoring 30% of degraded ecosystems.
Türkiye withdrew its offer
The news comes after Türkiye declined to host the event due to the emergency caused by the earthquakes that occurred in February 2023. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity expressed its solidarity with the Turkish government and its people.
