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The 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity was held from October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia. What were the key negotiation topics followed by the OFB? Are you satisfied with the outcomes?

French Agency for Biodiversity (OFB) : The 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity took place in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024. The French Agency for Biodiversity (OFB) participated alongside its supervising ministry, the Ministry of Ecological Transition, Energy, Climate, and Risk Prevention.
The agency followed several key negotiation topics and contributed to organizing about fifteen parallel events aimed at showcasing concrete actions to protect, conserve, and restore biodiversity in mainland France and its overseas territories, as well as supporting European and international projects. These events focused on areas like health, marine ecosystems, protected areas, and the sustainable management of wild species. The OFB also signed and renewed several partnerships with national and international stakeholders.

Regarding the outcomes of the negotiations, we are pleased with several advancements, particularly concerning indigenous peoples, whose status has evolved positively within the convention, and the fair sharing of benefits from the exploitation of genetic resources.

Moreover, we note the adoption of a global action plan on biodiversity and health, a topic that has gained increasing importance since the COVID-19 pandemic. This plan aims to curb the emergence of zoonotic diseases, prevent non-communicable diseases, and promote resilient ecosystems. This decision, which was awaited since COP 15, emphasizes the interdependence between biodiversity and human and environmental health.

Another notable point of this COP was the adoption of decisions regarding Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs). After over eight years of negotiations, the adoption of new mechanisms to identify and update EBSAs marks a decisive step forward. These areas, crucial for global marine biodiversity, will now benefit from cataloging and monitoring processes based on the latest scientific advances. Sustainable management of wild species was also central to the discussions, with the adoption of a decision encouraging increased monitoring, capacity building, and active participation of indigenous peoples, local communities, and women.
However, some key points remain to be finalized, notably the evaluation mechanism for progress toward the 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework. While 44 countries, including France, have already submitted their National Biodiversity Strategies (NBS), the delay in establishing a global evaluation system could slow down the achievement of the objectives.

The French Agency for Biodiversity (OFB), as a public body responsible for biodiversity protection and restoration in mainland France and its overseas territories, participated in the discussions. What is the OFB's role in these international gatherings, and are they conducive to significant progress?

As a representative of French scientific and technical expertise, the OFB supports international biodiversity negotiations and promotes initiatives to strengthen the protection and restoration of nature. Its presence at COPs and in international forums allows France’s innovative solutions, such as nature-based solutions, to be showcased and fosters cooperation among institutional actors, NGOs, and governments to address global challenges.

At COP 16, the OFB signed two agreements: one with the Guinean Office of National Parks and Wildlife Reserves and the other with the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). These agreements aim to strengthen technical exchanges, particularly on ecological corridors and sustainable wildlife harvesting, while promoting collaboration on conservation efforts.
The Director General of the OFB participated in several significant events, focusing on environmental health (One Health), migratory species protection, and marine protected areas—three subjects that resonate with the COP’s advances. This participation highlighted the importance of biodiversity for human health and showcased exemplary approaches to species protection.

The OFB also held numerous bilateral meetings, further strengthening relationships with key partners. Notable discussions included exchanges with the Director-General of the IUCN, the President of the World Commission on Protected Areas (focusing on climate change and fire risks), the Minister of Environment of Gabon (on capacity building), and representatives from Benin, the Central African Republic, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Quebec, Madagascar, and other countries. These discussions aimed to coordinate biodiversity efforts and renew strategic partnerships.

Additionally, the OFB organized a global meeting of biodiversity agencies, gathering representatives from similar organizations in China, Canada, Germany, South Africa, the UK, and Colombia. This network, the "Global Biodiversity Agencies Network," initiated by the OFB, serves as a crucial platform for structuring coordinated actions and sharing best practices on an international scale.

Beyond negotiations, the OFB was involved in biodiversity credits, with one agent placed within the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits. This agent shared the French framework for biodiversity credit markets with high integrity. The OFB also shared France’s experiences during 15 parallel events, including sessions on the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People (30x30 target), coral restoration financing, environmental education, mainstreaming, and innovative financing initiatives like jaguar conservation. These events highlighted France’s role as a leader in global efforts for sustainable ecosystem management.

COPs are key moments for achieving concrete progress, as they facilitate international commitments, but their success depends on the mobilization of states, the private sector, and local actors. The OFB will continue to engage with ministries in these forums to advance the common solutions necessary for biodiversity preservation.

This COP took place two years after the signing of the Kunming-Montréal Agreement, which sets the framework for international action to address the biodiversity crisis, including the goal of protecting 30% of lands and seas by 2030. What progress has been made in terms of protection? Are these advances sufficient to hope to reach this goal?

Two years after the Kunming-Montreal Agreement, which calls for the protection of 30% of lands and seas by 2030, COP 16 showed encouraging progress. The number of countries adopting National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) has significantly increased, reflecting their commitment to meeting the 30x30 goals. As of now, 44 countries have submitted updated strategies aligned with the Kunming-Montreal framework, and nearly 120 have defined national targets for biodiversity.

However, many national strategies are still pending, and approaches vary widely across countries in terms of quality and rigor in implementation. These differences present challenges in ensuring that all commitments contribute effectively to global conservation. The "Protected Planet" report, published on October 28 by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), underscores that the area of protected lands must double on land and triple at sea within the next six years. Currently, only 17.6% of lands and 8.4% of seas are protected.