Cali, Colombia, October 23, 2024 – At the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), parliamentarians from various nations gathered in Cali, Colombia, to participate in the Forum: “Parliamentarians for Economic Transitions in Biodiversity Conservation, Protection, and Sustainable Use.” This international gathering underscored the vital role of legislators in creating effective policies to address the biodiversity crisis and foster a sustainable future.
The forum was organized by the Colombian Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the CBD Secretariat, the ICCF Group, and with support from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). This collaboration facilitated a platform where legislators from multiple countries discussed the urgent challenges facing biodiversity and the need for sustainable economic transitions.
Held within the Blue Zone of COP16, the forum featured inspiring addresses from prominent leaders and experts such as Cristian Samper, Wanjira Mathai, and Natalia Arango, who emphasized the need for legislative action to secure natural resource conservation and sustainable funding for protected areas. Under the theme “Peace with Nature”, the event encouraged deep reflections on the responsibility of parliaments in the fight against biodiversity loss and the transition toward sustainable economic models.
A Shared Commitment Reflected in the Cali Declaration
One of the forum’s most significant achievements was the signing of the Cali Parliamentary Declaration, an 18-point document reaffirming legislators’ commitment to implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This declaration urges governments to strengthen legislative frameworks, increase funding for conservation, and ensure ongoing monitoring of environmental policies.
The Cali Declaration also aims to integrate biodiversity considerations into key economic sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, and tourism to promote the sustainable use of natural resources. It will be presented during the COP16 plenary sessions, reinforcing the global commitment of parliaments to protect biodiversity.
"We hope this forum will serve as a powerful platform and become a key ally for conservation, aligned with the Colombian government’s call for ‘Peace with Nature’, which ensures security and stability for future generations,”
Global Voices for Conservation
During the forum, parliamentarians from Colombia, Peru, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Bolivia, Kenya, Norway, Tunisia, Gabon, and other countries discussed the challenges and opportunities in biodiversity conservation.
“If we don’t protect our planet now, there will be no future for the next generations.
It is crucial that parliamentarians worldwide come together to discuss strategies and face the reality of the scale of the challenge we are dealing with.”.
“We have achieved a declaration that addresses critical issues on Colombia’s biodiversity agenda. .
This commitment to ‘Peace with Nature’ represents a significant step forward in our conservation agenda.”
Supporting Organizations
The event received support from key international organizations, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Rural Development with Territorial Focus Program (DRET II) of the European Union, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Latin American Development Bank (CAF), Marviva, and Audubon. This backing reflects the global commitment of diverse sectors to planetary biodiversity conservation and sustainability.
Towards a Conservation Agenda with Global Impact
COP16 and the Parliamentary Forum provided a unique opportunity to build international and legislative partnerships that ensure the implementation of effective actions to protect biodiversity. With the launch of the Cali Declaration, parliamentarians from around the world reaffirmed their commitment to promoting policies that protect ecosystems and ensure a sustainable future for all.
This space facilitated dialogue, experience-sharing, and collaboration between legislators and biodiversity experts, enhancing the role of parliaments in achieving global biodiversity goals and promoting ecosystem resilience in response to current environmental challenges.
Regional Headquarters