UNCBD COP16 and Sustainable Food Systems (living document)

About the Conference

A central focus of COP16 will be reviewing how well parties have aligned their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with the Global Biodiversity Framework. This is critical, as these strategies are the foundation for national action on biodiversity, directly influencing how countries manage and protect their natural resources. For the food systems community, COP16 is especially significant. We depend on the health of nature and sustainable food systems are essential to achieving global biodiversity goals, as the ways we produce, distribute, and consume food have direct impacts on ecosystems. By integrating food systems into biodiversity strategies, we can help ensure that agricultural practices support, rather than harm, biodiversity.

Key discussions at COP16 will include:

• Review of implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and further develop its monitoring framework
  Under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (that contains a set of four goals and 23 targets with the aim to reverse the rapid decline of biodiversity by 2030 and restore harmony with nature by 2050) countries have committed to updating their national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) to reflect new goals and targets. These NBSAPs are blueprints that outline how each country will contribute to global biodiversity objectives within their borders. Ahead of COP16 countries are expected (but not legally obliged) to submit their revised NBSAPs. This milestone marks an important step in aligning national efforts with the global vision set out in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
  
• Resource Mobilization
  In particular looking into how the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework will be financed
  
• Access and benefit-sharing
  Finalizing a multilateral mechanism on fair and equitable access and benefit sharing from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources. 

This conference also serves as an opportunity to strengthen collaboration across sectors and silos. By aligning efforts in biodiversity and food systems, we can drive more effective and sustainable solutions, ensuring that our food systems protect and enhance the natural world.

Key resources for your convenience

• Official UNCBD COP16 conference website of the Presidency (French and Spanish)
• CBD Convention on Biological Diversity page (apply for accreditation for observer status until 31 August)
• Oliver Camps' overview of Food Systems at UNCBD COP16 Includes information on: useful links, milestones on the road to COO16, key agenda topics, Food Systems Initiatives, Organizations, Strategy and Entry Points, Information on attendance, Agenda, and fun activities
• The official negotiation agenda
• Official Side-Event agenda

COP Pavilions and Food Systems Initiatives

Zona Azul

This zone is located at the Valle del Pacífico Events Center and is where negotiation and dialogue will take place. Entry into the Blue Zone is exclusively reserved for official delegations of member countries, representatives of intergovernmental organizations, United Nations agencies and observers, experts and media officially accredited by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

• Netherlands Pavilion.
  Organised by Partners for Water, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Quality and Nature, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  Deadline registrations to host a session: 19 August
  
• CGIAR Pavilion. 
  Application deadline for side events: 22 August
  
• Health Day: 24 October
• Food & Agriculture day: 28 October 

Zona Verde
This zone is located on the River Boulevard and is a space that is open to the public. This space will facilitate participants to share their knowledge and experience with others. It therefore will inspire others to take action for the conservation of biodiversity and strengthen the participation in citizens in decision making. 

Food System activities in the margins of the COP

• Bloom24: Accelerating Business Action at COP16
  24 -25 October at Hotel Intercontinental Cali, Cali, Colombia
  You can request an invite to attend this event, $200 dollar for an all-access pass
  
• World Biodiversity Summit: Fostering Partnerships and Investment for a Nature-Positive Future
  26 October at MUSEO, Museo La Tertulia, Cali, Colombia
  
• Biodiversity Technology and Innovation Expo: will showcase technologies and innovations that could be leveraged to address key biodiversity challenges and support the implementation of the Biodiversity Plan.
• The 7th GLF Investment Case Symposium:
  25 October, Museo La Tertulia, Cali, Colombia & online

Connect with other attendees

• Oliver Camp's WhatsApp group: Food Systems at UNCBD COP16
• Netherlands Food Partnership Network Briefing event: read the key insights here
• Oliver Camp's overview Food Systems at UNCBD COP16: Live Document
• Airtable with an (unofficial) overview of all the Food Systems Events at UNCBD COP16
  • Tip: if your event is not yet in the overview, see this form to add events to the overview
• Leave a comment under this post to share your food system activities at the COP with others

Want to read more about food systems and biodiversity?

• FAO: The state of the World's Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture
  FAO: Framework on Action for Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture
• UN Food Systems Coordination Hub: Food Systems for the Planet Session
• Nature Food 2024 May issue: Biodiversity and Food Systems Editorial
• CGIAR Bioversity International and others: Resilient, healthy, and sustainable food systems for biodiversity conservation and use 2030 Action Targets: A global collection of good practice cases
• Chatham House: Food Systems Impacts on Biodiversity Loss
• UN SDG Learn podcast: Achieving Sustainable Food Systems: How can we balance biodiversity conservation and food production?
• Movie: Planet Soil
• Podcast: Redesigning food series

Resources highlighted by partners

• WWF: Changing Course to Halt and Reverse Biodiversity Loss by 2030
• Rabobank: Value nature – Back to planetary boundaries
• Race to Zero: Non-State Actors Call to Action for Transforming Food Systems for People, Nature, and Climate