Connecting at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 16) in Cali, Colombia

The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 16) will be the first Biodiversity COP to take place since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP 15 in December 2022 in Montreal. COP 15 was pivotal in introducing human rights standards into the Convention, thereby creating a new bridge with One Ocean Hub research on ocean governance, climate governance, ocean science and human rights.

Another critical outcome of the 2022 Biodiversity COP was Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) which calls for the expansion of protection and conservation of terrestrial, inland waters, and of coastal and marine areas to 30% by 2030 (a.k.a. 30×30). Since then, there have been various debates, plans and processes relating to 30×30 within and across different member countries at the global level – mostly relating to how it can be implemented to effectively protect biodiversity, while taking into account other considerations (i.e., human and social dimensions). Hub Deputy Director Philile Mbatha and Director Elisa Morgera (in her capacity as a UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights) will represent One Ocean Hub at the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 16) from 18 October – 1 November 2024 in Cali, Colombia.

At COP 16, governments will be tasked with reviewing the state of implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; showing alignment of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with the Framework; developing the monitoring framework; and advancing resource mobilisation for the Global Biodiversity Framework. All these conversations provide opportunities to advance the protection of human rights of small-scale fishers, Indigenous peoples, women, children, and ocean defenders in the implementation of the Convention.

The protection of human rights in relation to Indigenous people and local communities is also underlined within Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal GBF as it calls for the need to “recognize and respect the rights of Indigenous people and local communities” in the implementation of 30×30. This resonates with discussions that took place at the 2nd Small-Scale Fisheries Summit in Rome earlier this year (5-7 July 2024), especially pertaining to the need to protect the customary tenure of small-scale fishers, many of which constitute Indigenous groups, as well as traditional and local communities who have long-standing histories of access, use and interacting with marine and terrestrial biodiversity. For instance, One Ocean Hub research is already pioneering approaches for capturing and archiving local and cultural knowledge and rights through the triangulation of participatory mapping processes and arts-based outputs, in order to contribute social “data” to conservation expansion in countries such as South Africa where there has been progressive exclusion of marginalized communities on the coast in decision-making processes about conservation.

COP 16 will also carry out a strategic review of the programme of work on marine biodiversity and consider options for collaboration with global and regional organisations in the context of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), on which One Ocean Hub research has focused both in terms of equitable Global North/South relationships and contributions to climate change.

In addition, the CBD COP is expected to adopt decisions on human health and biodiversity, and on climate change, which are also crucial for the ocean, including with regard to the 2024 Advisory Opinion of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on state obligations on climate change. Furthermore, COP16 will adopt a new programme of work on Article 8(j) and other CBD provisions related to Indigenous peoples and local communities, and the institutional arrangements for the Ad Hoc Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions.

Finally, the CBD COP is expected to finalise and operationalise the multilateral mechanism on the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources, which is crucial for equitable Global North/South relationships and fair and equitable benefit-sharing, including in the context of ocean science.

Elisa has been invited to speak at the High-level Event on Biodiversity and Climate Change, as well as at the Culture and Biodiversity Summit to develop key messages on the intrinsic relationship of biocultural diversity in the context of the implementation of the Framework. Elisa and Philile will participate in Oceans Day in the KMGBF Pavilion in the Blue Zone on 27 October.

If you wish to meet Philile while in Cali, including to discuss opportunities for supporting One Ocean Hub’s ongoing work in relation to legacy outcomes, or other potential partnerships and collaborations, please contact her: philile.mbatha@uct.ac.za

Related SDGs:

  • Reduced inequality
  • Sustainable cities and communities
  • Responsible consumption and production
  • Climate action
  • Life below water
  • Peace, justice and strong institutions