WCS at CBD CoP16
Cali, Colombia
October 21–November 1, 2024
Quick Links
WCS is calling for ambitious outcomes at CBD CoP16, including decisions that demonstrate political will to tackle our interlinked planetary crises through the KM-GBF.
- Biodiversity: Parties incorporate ecological integrity into their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and associated national targets that contribute to achievement of the GBF 2030 and 2050 objectives.
- Climate: Parties recognize ecological integrity as critical to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, and call for greater effort within UNFCCC.
- Health: Parties adopt a Global Action Plan centered on One Health approaches and recognize the diverse links between ecological integrity and human health.
- The GBF: Parties should commit to implementation of national targets and NBSAPs, and build mechanisms for progress on finance and global reviews of implementation.
"An opportunity to evaluate progress"
Since the KM-GBF was adopted in 2022, WCS teams around the world have worked with our government partners, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and other partners to achieve new global biodiversity targets, including spatial management to identify and conserve ecological integrity, rolling out 30x30 (conserving at least 30% of the planet by 2030), preventing the next pandemic of zoonotic origin through One Health approaches, securing the rights of Indigenous peoples and other rights holders, combatting illegal trafficking of wildlife, and more.
Philippines
In June, the Philippines, supported by WCS and others, held a two-day event on the National Coral Reef Program, which aims to create policies on Philippine coral reef conservation and management. This is in line with the GBF’s mandate to identify and protect high-integrity ecosystems.
“How do we balance conservation with food security and sustained income, especially for the most vulnerable populations?” asked WCS Philippines Country Director Kate Lim at the event. “How do we plan for future climate change scenarios and support our kapwa Pilipino (neighbors) when many of us live paycheck to paycheck? These are practical questions that we must remember as we continue our discussions on strengthening efforts to protect coral reefs.”
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WCS Philippines Country Director Kate Lim speaks at event for National Coral Reef Program.
Last fall, the Philippines, supported by WCS, also held its first-ever workshop to launch the national rollout of the new global 30x30 target. Approximately 150 leaders from across the country attended. “The Philippines is setting a great example for Southeast Asia with its roadmap to implement 30x30,” said WCS regional director Martin Callow.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
WCS Wild Audio
The Global Conservation Community Prepares for Action on Biodiversity Protection in Colombia
Listen as we speak with CBD Deputy Executive Secretary David Cooper to learn more about what brings the conservation community to Latin America and what it hopes to achieve there.
Healthy, high integrity ecosystems are better able to deliver the critical services we depend on.
Meet WCS Colombia’s Catalina Gutierrez
As Country Director, Catalina’s role is to lead a team of 80 experts, making measurable impacts for people and animals. Right now, she says, everyone is talking about biodiversity and hosting this event.
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