The COP16, the largest United Nations summit for the protection of nature, is currently underway in Cali, Colombia, emphasizing the urgent need for global action on biodiversity. With participation from 196 member states of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the summit has become a crucial platform for addressing the ongoing crisis of deforestation and species extinction.
During the opening ceremony, Colombian Environment Minister Susana Muhamad stressed the importance of timely action, stating, "The planet cannot afford for us to waste time... we must reach an agreement for this COP to be successful." President Gustavo Petro echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for human involvement in decision-making to combat the planetary crisis.
One of the alarming revelations from the COP16 is the 2024 National Parks Report, which indicates that Colombia has lost a staggering 125,745 hectares of protected areas to deforestation over the past eleven years. Renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, addressing the summit, called for concrete actions to protect biodiversity, warning that "time is running out" to save the planet.
Goodall, who has dedicated over six decades to studying chimpanzees, urged that the next five years are critical for meaningful action against biodiversity loss. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that over a quarter of assessed species are at risk of extinction, with wildlife populations plummeting by 73% from 1970 to 2020.
As discussions continue, indigenous groups from the Amazon are advocating for direct funding mechanisms to support conservation efforts within their territories. Oswaldo Muca Castizo, president of the Organization of Indigenous Peoples of the Colombian Amazon, emphasized the importance of financial resources to maintain biodiversity and protect their land from exploitation.
With only 8.4% of the world's oceans designated as Marine Protected Areas, the urgency for action is palpable. Greenpeace warns that current progress towards biodiversity goals is nearly stagnant, risking the achievement of these targets for the next century. The COP16 serves as a critical juncture for global leaders to commit to protecting the planet's biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future.