The COP16 on biodiversity resumed on February 25 in Rome, aiming to untangle the funding blockages to preserve wildlife and flora. This catch-up session follows the meeting last October, where disputes between Northern and Southern countries were not resolved. It was then decided to suspend discussions and hold a new meeting. This morning, COP16 reopened with the presence of delegates from 154 of the 196 signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
COP16 Biodiversity in Rome: African Countries Call for a New Fund Dedicated to Biodiversity
The tone for this day of renewed negotiations in Rome seemed more constructive than in Cali. However, positions remain fundamentally unchanged.
Countries with rich biodiversity, the BRICS, and the African group are demanding a new fund, more accessible and under the authority of the COP. This fund, financed by developed countries, aims to support projects in less wealthy nations. This proposal was addressed during the last meeting in Cali, and these countries appeared united and effective in advocating once again for the creation of this fund: « They base their requests on the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity, since since 1992, an instrument dedicated to this Convention and biodiversity has been needed, and we are procrastinating, » pointed out Aleksandar Rankovic, director of the think tank The Common Initiative, speaking to our special envoy in Rome, Lucile Gimberg.
However, this group of African countries and BRICS faces opposition from Northern countries like Canada and the European Union, which, confronted with budgetary issues, fears a fragmentation of development aid.
Compromise Proposal from the COP President
To try to overcome this deadlock, the COP President and Colombian Minister of the Environment, Susana Muhamad, suggested a compromise solution last week. She proposed launching a working process aimed at creating or adapting a fund specifically dedicated to biodiversity. This fund would be placed under the auspices of the COP by 2030, with a focus on transparency.
During this first day of COP16, the Colombian Minister of the Environment called on countries around the world to demonstrate that environmental multilateralism can still be effective in facing an issue that is, according to her, nothing less than being able to « maintain life on the planet »:
« This is one of the policies that has the power to unite the world. And that is no small thing in the current geopolitical landscape, which is very polarized, fragmented, and causes discord. We have a significant responsibility here in Rome. In this year 2025, we can send a glimmer of hope and say that, despite our differences, despite the tensions, despite limited budget margins in both Northern and Southern countries, and despite armed conflicts, we can still say that we are capable of working together for something that transcends our individual interests and connects us all: it is life itself. »
Another topic on this first day of negotiations: countries are negotiating the modalities by which their national policies to curb biodiversity loss will be evaluated during the major global assessment in 2026. According to Juliette Landry, a researcher at Iddri, things are moving in the right direction: « We should also include sources from non-state actors, NGOs, grassroots actors, and especially scientists. That is really important and is in the text. The key will be to secure that it remains there. » These advancements are likely what Southern countries will leverage to try to obtain concessions from Northern countries on funding issues.
The Kunming-Montreal Agreement, adopted at COP15 biodiversity in December 2022, which aims to stop the destruction of nature, stipulates that $200 billion per year should be mobilized by 2030, including $30 billion in transfers from developed to developing countries. During the opening plenary this morning, the Zimbabwean delegate expressed confidence, although the target is still far from being met.
« This goal can still be achieved depending on what we decide here in Rome. Africa appreciates the draft report on the financial landscape. »
Source: RFI
