UN talks end in Rome, with the state supporting $200 billion a year to protect nature

Bogota, Colombia (AP) – Global negotiators summarized the extended meeting of the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity COP16 and made key commitments on the funds needed and institutions that will use these funds to protect the world's biodiversity.

The two countries agreed to make $200 billion a year in principle at an earlier meeting in Montreal by 2030. The money includes a plan to raise $20 billion in annual conservation financing for developing countries by 2025, and this figure will increase to $30 billion per year by 2030, and introduce details of the Global Biodiversity Framework, which is designed to place 30% of planets and 30% of downgraded ecosystems under conservation by 2030.

Earlier this week, the two countries also agreed to create a Cali fund, which will contribute to its conservation by creating methods for industries that benefit from biodiversity.

When the meeting ended in Rome Wednesday night, participants stood up and applauded the results.

“Applause is for everyone. You did a great job,” said Susana Muhamad, president of COP16 and Colombia.

The successful conclusion of COP16 was the first UN meeting in several months, ending with a positive attitude, as the various conferences last year were linked to the meetings to tackle global plastic pollution, climate change and early biodiversity itself, or made many stakeholders disappointed with the business.

“The work in Rome these days has demonstrated the parties’ commitment to the implementation of the global biodiversity framework,” said Mohammed, who is also a former Colombian environment minister. Mohammed said it was the collective efforts of all stakeholders that led to the consistent and critical decision. “Only through joint efforts can we make natural peace a reality,” she said.

The two-day meeting addressed unresolved issues in early discussions held in Cali, Colombia at the end of 2024, focusing on obtaining funds to achieve the ambitious goals set in Montreal in 2022. The Kali meeting ends without a statutory time because the conversation is overtime and few client guarantee that any commission with any decision will make all members have all members, which is all.

Linda Krueger, director of biodiversity and infrastructure policy at the Nature Conservancy, said that in Cali, many parties believe that the funds created to support biodiversity are not meeting the original goals they hoped for. But in Rome, negotiators were able to reach a consensus on a financial “roadmap” that would enable the corpse to fulfill its initial obligations.

“It is an exciting display of progress and international natural cooperation in a complex geopolitical moment,” she said. “Although it sounds bureaucratic, these details will transform the ambitions on paper into tangible conservation actions locally.”

Oscar Soria, the CEO of the co-initiative, said the decision of the UN negotiator marked a “positive step” to fund biodiversity efforts, setting clear goals and review procedures.

“However, effectiveness will depend on the implementation of commitments, the availability of financing and the political will of the state to increase its contribution,” he added.

Although key issues related to funding were eventually resolved at the expansion meeting in Rome, the COP16 talks in Colombia ended in November reached several notable agreements, including a landmark agreement requiring a company that profits from natural genetic resources, such as developing medicines from rainforest factories, to share these benefits. Progress has also been made in strengthening the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in conservation efforts.

Biodiversity is essential to maintain a balanced ecosystem, providing clean air, water and food, while supporting climate resilience, scientists say. It can also drive medical discovery, economic stability, and the well-being of all life on Earth.

___

The Associated Press's climate and environmental coverage has received financial support from several private foundations. AP is responsible for all content. Find criteria for working with charity, which is the list of supporters and coverage of funding for AP.org.