• COP16

The Alliance in the Blue Zone at COP16

In the best of worlds, genetic resources would be safeguarded in nature and allowed to thrive and contribute to a sustainable development without risk. However, in reality ex situ conservation is needed to minimize the loss of valuable genetic diversity. But how do we make sure that genebanks are not just seed museums? How do we promote a sustainable use of the genetic resources that genebanks conserve? In this discussion, we share info on how genebanks work and why safety backup of seeds in the Arctic is an important part of the puzzle. 

This side event will present non-commercial researchers’ perspectives on opportunities to improve the quality and quantity of benefits, maximise societal impact from DSI benefit-sharing, support the Global Biodiversity Framework, and more ensure equitable benefit-sharing.   

This side event aims to present the main pillars and benefits of adopting a nature-positive agriculture and its contributions to achieving the GBF. The session will showcase examples of how this approach can be implemented across countries and adapted to local conditions and cultures, while maintaining the four pillars. Examples include work on banana diversity evaluation, promotion and production, small roots and tubers in Colombia, intercropping in Kenya, local specialty mango in India and circular economy, among others.  

This panel will discuss how a COP16 DSI decision could more largely influence approaches to ABS across international law. Convening experts from across all four forementioned negotiations, panelists will attempt to resolve the issue of how to best bring about coherence for digital sequence information. With the goal of robust, coordinated and coherent implementation for any reformed ABS mechanism, this panel will articulate why this science-policy interface is essential for biodiversity governance, health governance, ocean governance, and beyond.

By exploring the interconnectedness of agri-food systems and biodiversity, this session will focus on: the role of knowledge systems and practices in creating alternative pathways for agri-food production, distribution and consumption; the contribution of indigenous peoples, afrodescendants and local communities, especially women, to inventing new models. CGIAR speaker: Cargele Masso.