Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity

ITTO at the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16) 

21 October to 01 November 2024 | Cali, Colombia

Biodiversity is under severe threat. The world has seen about 73% decline in wildlife populations since 1970 (WWF 2024), with a million species of plants and animals at risk of extinction, many within the next few decades, unless decisive action is taken to address the root causes of biodiversity loss (IPBES 2019). Without intervention, the rate of extinction will only accelerate.

Tropical forests, which harbor an estimated three-quarters of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, play a crucial role in this context. Tropical forests cover 1.84 billion hectares or 45% of the world's forests and are among the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. They are home to nearly two-thirds of all terrestrial vertebrate species and nearly 80% of all tree species. When managed sustainably, these forests offer productive, renewable ecosystems that play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity and enhancing human well-being.

ITTO in close collaboration with its member countries, implements impactful field projects and activities with positive outcomes for biodiversity. 

ITTO intensifies cooperation, both nationally and internationally, to achieve global biodiversity goals. An example of this is ITTO’s long-term partnership with UN CBD, which aims to assist CBD Parties and ITTO tropical member countries in conserving biodiversity, implementing sustainable forest management (SFM), restoring degraded forest landscapes, and promoting the sustainable use of forest resources. The Joint ITTO–CBD Collaborative Initiative for Tropical Forest Biodiversity, launched in 2010, supports countries in addressing the threats to tropical forest biodiversity while promoting sustainable livelihoods for local communities

From 21 October to 1 November 2024, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) will actively participate in the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) in Cali, Colombia.

With the theme ‘Peace with Nature’, this will be the first Biodiversity COP since adopting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at COP 15 in December 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Conference will focus on finding policy pathways to help the world live harmoniously with nature.

Catch our experts at these events in Cali, Colombia to hear the latest on ITTO’s work on biodiversity!

 

19 October 2024 | Saturday

The 2024 Biodiversity Capacity-Building and Development Forum

Venue: CG1 Malpelo - Plaza 1 - Centro de Eventos Valle del Pacifico, Cali, Colombia

The first Biodiversity Capacity-Building and Development Forum will be held on 19 October 2024 under the theme “Strengthening Capacities for the Implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans in the context of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework”. It will be convened by the Secretariat in collaboration with the Government of Colombia (COP 16 Presidency), the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, and other partners.  The working language of the Forum will be English with no interpretation. 

The 2024 Forum will include two panel discussions, one featuring the Parties’ perspectives on the current status, needs assessments and action plans, and another one on experiences and lessons learned in developing capacities for the implementation of NBSAPs from the provider, non-state actors and other stakeholders' perspectives. These will be followed by moderated round table discussions, in the form of World Café sessions,

25 October 2024

FORESTS AND WATER DAY at COP16

Venue: The Global Biodiversity Framework Pavilion – Blue Zone

10:30–11:30 hrs (GMT-7)

Sustainable Forest-Based Economies: Meeting the needs of people and biodiversity

Increasing demand for food, fibre and fuel is creating a fierce competition among land uses, which in turn, is causing deforestation and forest degradation globally with an impact on biodiversity and the steady provision of ecosystem services needed for planetary wellbeing. World wood production is at record levels, at about 4 billion m³ per year and is expected to rise further (FAO 2024). Sustainable commodity supply chains are key to halting deforestation and degradation, as well as to ensuring the livelihoods and wellbeing of communities and economies that depend on forests. This session, part of the Forest and Water day, entitled "Sustainable Forest-Based Economies: Meeting the needs of people and biodiversity", scheduled at 10:40–12:45 hrs (GMT-7), co-organized by ITTO and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will showcase how innovative approaches in policy, production, monitoring and fiscal incentives can promote the sustainable management of forests and sustainable commodity supply chains, while contributing to biodiversity conservation.

More: https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2024/parallel-meetings/kmgbf-pavilion-forests-water-day

Live streaming will be available at: https://cbd.interactio.com/9x5a-t4aj-hqga

Join the discussion! If you have questions or ideas, please contact rfm@itto.int.

Learn more about ITTO’s work to promote biodiversity:

ITTO’s focus on biodiversity and transboundary conservation

Tropical Forest Update Issue 30 No. 1: Tough climb up for biodiversity

ITTO is “part of the plan” on the International Day for Biological Diversity

About the Joint ITTO–CBD Collaborative Initiative for Tropical Forest Biodiversity