The Road to Cali

Posted by Public Affairs on August 30, 2024

Overview of ESA’s Participation at COP16

The Ecological Society of America (ESA) is pleased to announce its active participation in the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), scheduled from October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia. The United Nations CBD granted ESA NGO observer status, allowing a delegation of 20 esteemed leaders, staff and members from around the globe to attend this pivotal event. ESA’s presence at COP16 represents a significant opportunity to influence global biodiversity policy and advocate for the critical role of ecological science in these efforts.

The Importance of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and COP

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a landmark international treaty focused on conserving biodiversity, promoting the sustainable use of its components and ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources. The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of the CBD, where member countries and stakeholders review progress, set future goals and adopt actions to safeguard global biodiversity.

Learn more about the CBD.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

A central theme of COP16 will be the continued implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a historic agreement reached at COP15 in 2022. This framework sets ambitious global targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and envisions living in harmony with nature by 2050. ESA is committed to contributing scientific expertise and fostering collaborations to ensure the success of this framework.

ESA will be posting more developments as the ESA delegation plans for COP16, so check back.

Questions? Contact Director of Public Affairs Alison Mize, alison@nullesa.org

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The Ecological Society of America is a community of 9,000 scientists, researchers, decision makers, policy managers, and educators who are dedicated to understanding life on earth. We are an advocate for ecology and a voice for ecologists. ESA strengthens connections within and outside our community to support your work and promotes ecological science. As our discipline expands its boundaries with new ideas, new experimental tools, and the recruitment of young scientists, we hope you will join us!