Colombia will host COP16 on biodiversity in 2024

Direction Bogota. Colombia has been officially chosen to host COP16 on biodiversity next year, from October 21 to November 1, 2024, after Turkey’s withdrawal, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) announced on Friday, December 15. . This COP will come almost two years after the historic agreement reached during the last negotiations in 2022 in Montreal, which promised to preserve 30% of the planet’s lands and seas by 2030.

Turkey was initially due to host this 16th edition of the Biodiversity COP, but gave up this summer due to the earthquakes which struck the country. The CBD then called on countries willing to organize the event – on the same dates (October 21-November 1, 2024) or on close dates – to come forward. “as soon as possible”, what Colombia did. Welcome this COP16 “represents a magnificent opportunity for one of the richest countries in biodiversity in the world”underlines Susana Muhamad, Colombian Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, adding that this “sends a message from Latin America to the world about the importance of climate action and the protection of life”.

“Colombia is home to tremendous biodiversity, is an inspiring example of how to collaborate with indigenous peoples and local communities, and is at the forefront of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity”, for his part greeted David Cooper, interim executive secretary of the CBD. Climate change threatens a growing number of species, according to the latest Red List assessment from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).