UN’s COP16 biodiversity summit begins in Colombia

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - The UN's COP16 conference on biodiversity, the world's biggest nature protection summit, officially began on Monday in the Colombian city of Cali.

Delegates from 196 countries will discuss the path to obtain more financing for biodiversity and generate mechanisms for more direct participation of indigenous peoples, among other important environmental issues.

World leaders, activists, non-governmental organizations, business leaders, indigenous groups, and researchers will attend the summit, which will take place until Nov. 1.

During the inaugural event on Sunday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged delegations to “make peace with nature” and work to save endangered species and preserve the planet’s ecosystems.

Guterres urged "significant investment" in the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund created last year, as well as "commitments to mobilize other sources of public and private finance."

"Those profiting from nature must contribute to its protection and restoration," Guterres said in a video message sent to the summit, which is on high alert after a dissident rebel group threatened to disrupt the event.

As the second-most biodiverse nation, Colombia plays an important role in global environmental governance. Under Colombian President Gustavo Petro, the country has promoted conservation, safeguarding endangered ecosystems, and the protection of biodiversity.

On Sunday, Petro called for global powers to support a debt-for-climate action plan.

“We need to change the global financial system, which today leads to death. It’s essential to reduce debt for climate action, allowing developing countries to lower economic risks while safeguarding biodiversity,” he said.

About 12,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries, including 140 world leaders are expected at the conference.

The Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified by 196 countries in 1992 with the aim of the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.