COP16 biodiversity talks to resume in February: UN November 28, 2024

The Biodiversity COP was held in Colombia. Illustrative image with a frog and plants

By AFP - Agence France Presse

COP16 biodiversity talks to resume in February: UN

UN negotiations to find funding to curb the destruction of nature will resume in Rome in February, the UN said on Thursday, after this month's talks in Colombia ended without an agreement.

The biodiversity conference will be held at the headquarters of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization from February 25 to 27 to address issues “not resolved following the suspension of the meeting” on November 2, according to a statement.

An unprecedented 23,000 participants gathered in Cali, Colombia, for the largest biodiversity summit ever held, with the aim of protecting nature from deforestation, overexploitation, climate change, and pollution.

The negotiations lasted another night, but the Colombian presidency was unable to establish a quorum, as many delegates boarded return flights.

“In the coming weeks, and during our meeting in Rome in February, I will work with Parties to build the trust and consensus needed to achieve Peace with Nature,” said Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad, president of COP16, in the statement.

She added that securing an important financial agreement “will be fundamental to our efforts.”

klm/ach