ITTO actively participates at the UN CBD COP 16

21 October 2024: Leaders, experts and key decision-makers gather today at Cali, Colombia and will convene until the first of  November for the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Under the theme “Peace with Nature”, COP16 will be the first Biodiversity COP since adopting the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, focusing on policy solutions for harmonious coexistence with nature.

Biodiversity is at a critical tipping point. Since 1970, the world has witnessed a staggering 73% decline in wildlife populations, and with over a million species at risk of extinction, urgent action is required to combat this accelerating loss. Tropical forests, home to three-quarters of Earth’s terrestrial biodiversity, play a pivotal role in the fight against biodiversity decline. Spanning 1.84 billion hectares, tropical forests not only support a vast array of species but also serve as renewable ecosystems that sustain human well-being when managed sustainably.

The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) is deeply involved in conserving tropical forest biodiversity. Working closely with its member countries, ITTO implements field projects that deliver positive biodiversity outcomes, supporting the livelihoods of local communities and contributing to global biodiversity goals. A cornerstone of ITTO’s efforts is its long-standing partnership with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), notably through the Joint ITTO–CBD Collaborative Initiative for Tropical Forest Biodiversity, which aids countries in conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable forest management.

On 19 October 2024, ITTO participated in the Biodiversity Capacity-Building and Development Forum, to explore how to strengthen capacities for implementing National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

You can catch ITTO experts, Jennifer Conje (Director of Forest Management) and Ramón Carillo (Project Manager) on 25 October 2024 at the Forests and Water Day at the Global Biodiversity Framework Pavilion – Blue Zone. ITTO has co-organized a session on Sustainable Forest-Based Economies: Meeting the needs of people and biodiversity. This session addresses how innovative policies and sustainable commodity supply chains can balance the growing demand for food, fibre, and fuel with the need for forest conservation and biodiversity protection. It will run from 10:40–12:45 hrs (GMT-7).

Join us in person or online through the livestream channel.