COP16 Summit on Biodiversity Begins in Colombia

The COP16 summit on biodiversity, hosted in Cali, Colombia, gathers delegates from nearly 200 countries to tackle critical biodiversity challenges and advance the Global Biodiversity Framework with the theme 'Peace with Nature.' The event sees participation from over 21,000 delegates, including heads of state and major financial institutions, making it the largest meeting of its kind. Key goals include implementing the '30 by 30' pledge to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 and creating a global system for biodiversity funding through industry contributions. Colombia's President Gustavo Petro emphasized the necessity of exchanging economic debt for climate action. The alarming decline in wildlife populations, shrinking by almost 75% over 50 years, underscores the urgency of the discussions. The conference also focuses on respecting indigenous rights and reducing harmful practices to achieve sustainable biodiversity restoration.