Three key meetings have begun in Geneva, Switzerland, in preparation for the 15th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) to be held later this year in Kunming, China. This is a very significant conference, firstly because it is the first in-person meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the CBD negotiation process. Secondly, this conference is the last one before COP15. Therefore, from now until 29 March, delegates will have to do their utmost to make as much progress as possible in the talks and define the future framework for action, preparing the ground for the final negotiations.
Specifically, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 24), the Subsidiary Body for Implementation and the Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (WG2020-3) will meet during these two weeks.
SBSTTA-24 is to discuss a monitoring approach for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Topics to be addressed will include animal and plant species, both marine and coastal, the relationship between biodiversity and agriculture, biodiversity and health, synthetic biology, GMO risk management and invasive alien species.
SBI-3, on the contrary, will complete its work on key inputs for the post-2020 framework and lay a solid foundation for its adoption and implementation following the resumption of COP 15. Targets on the agenda include efforts to increase funding for biodiversity, more effective use of investments to ensure the needs of nature and people are met, and better disclosure of risks and impacts to nature. Each country will be asked to develop the capacity to manage and conserve its natural capital and to improve public awareness and understanding to support action on biodiversity.
The WG2020-3 meeting will focus on the action needed to achieve the 2050 Vision of living in harmony with nature, and on defining how performance will be monitored and reported. This includes addressing the five drivers of biodiversity loss: land and sea use change, unsustainable exploitation, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species.
The meeting is also expected to decide and announce the dates for COP15, currently scheduled to take place at the end of the year in Kunming, China.
