The Alliance at COP16 on biodiversity
The Alliance gears up for the upcoming Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Biodiversity Convention (CBD COP 16) in Cali, Colombia (October 21 - November 1, 2024). This critical meeting will assess progress on the ambitious Kunming-Montreal Framework, a global roadmap adopted in 2022 that aims to transform our relationship with nature and achieve a future of "living in harmony with nature" by 2050. A key target is protecting at least 30% of the Earth's land and oceans. The Alliance and CGIAR will be actively involved at COP 16, supporting efforts to translate the Framework's goals into action and ensure a more sustainable future for our planet.
Juan Lucas Restrepo, Director General of the Alliance, on the first announcement of COP16's host location happening in Cali, Colombia, where the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT has its Americas hub.
Alliance and the CBD
CGIAR played a key role in shaping the Kunming-Montreal Framework. Our scientists provided extensive scientific guidance during previous negotiations, contributing to critical areas like food, agriculture, and access benefit-sharing. This engagement continues as CGIAR offers expertise to the UNCBD on implementing the Framework. CGIAR's scientific leadership extends to related initiatives like the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) assessments, ensuring science informs global action on biodiversity.
Our Involvement
News & Media
Scientists' Perspectives
Our campaign: What's the flavor of COP16?
Biodiversity is the variety of flavors, colors, and life that enrich our diets, cultures, and ecosystems. For us, it also has unique flavors.
In this new campaign, aligned with the COP16 on biodiversity in Cali, Colombia, we aim to popularize the conscious consumption of local products and highlight the close link between biodiversity and our food.
To achieve this, we have made a culinary journey through our city and its surroundings. Alongside chefs, traditional cooks, and food lovers, we've learned to prepare delicious recipes inspired by our biodiversity, demonstrating that these foods not only enhance health and livelihoods but also contribute to a more resilient planet.
In the news
Cop16 is already transforming Cali: this is the new and sustainable ‘branch of heaven’
The Alliance launched the campaign ‘The Flavor of COP16’ as a strategy to help citizens learn about and discuss the concept of biodiversity based on the richness of the food grown in the region.
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(only in Spanish)
COP16: Does agriculture contribute to biodiversity?
The article discusses the role of agriculture in biodiversity conservation, as part of the discussions at COP16. Juan Lucas Restrepo, argues that agriculture can play a positive role in biodiversity conservation if it is practiced sustainably.
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(only in Spanish)
Making peace with nature through more sustainable agriculture
This article discusses the challenges of feeding a growing population while reducing environmental damage and calls for increased adoption of practices that are more friendly to nature. COP16 on biodiversity is an opportunity to make progress on this issue.
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(only in Spanish)
To Fight Climate Change, Protect Healthy Soil
Soil health is a major problem in Africa, hurting both agriculture and the environment. Investing in restoring degraded land is good for the economy, but preventing damage in the first place is even better. Research on soil improvement and adopting sustainable practices are promising solutions.
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Scientific Publications
Alliance Experts & Delegation
Joe Tohme
Managing Director, Americas
Marcela Quintero
Associate Director General, Research Strategy, and Innovation
Carlo Fadda
Director, Agrobiodiversity
Carolina Navarrete Frías
Senior Advisor on Environmental Policy and Biodiversity
Marlène Elias
Director, Gender and Inclusion
Lulseged Desta
Director, Multifunctional Landscape
María Fernanda Álvarez
Director, Crops for Nutrition and Health, and Program Leader, Rice Breeding and Genetics
Michael Halewood
Genetic Resources and Seed Systems Policies Team Leader
Isabel López Noriega
Scientist II
Colombia and COP16
Colombia and COP16
For the first time in history, Colombia will host a Conference of the Parties of the United Nations. The motto Peace with Nature is a call to reflect and improve the relationship we have with the environment and rethink an economic model that does not prioritize the extraction, overexploitation and contamination of nature.
The host defines it based on four main pillars: cross-sectoral integration, transformation of the productive system, reduction of informality and environmental crimes, and governance and finance.
As host, Colombia is committed to presenting its progress in biodiversity and to urging other countries that are part of the Convention to make more ambitious commitments to meet The Biodiversity Plan.