COP16 in Rome: Will the protection of biodiversity finally be pushed forward?

COP16 in Rome: Will the protection of biodiversity finally be pushed forward?

The COP16 World Nature Conference in Rome opened its doors today and goes into extra time. After the last meeting in Cali, Colombia, in October 2024, where no agreement could be reached despite certain successes, the focus is on protecting biological diversity. The European Union is pushing for an agreement to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2030 and mobilize necessary resources. Unresolved questions about the monitoring and implementation of the biodiversity framework are also on the agenda. The next conference, COP17, will take place in Yerevan, Armenia in 2026.

Criticism of the previous conference

At the last conference in Cali there were tensions, particularly regarding the financing and implementation of decisions that had already been made. These contentious issues led to talks breaking down in November, making any agreement unlikely. Many delegates were no longer present due to the extension, which was seen as an embarrassment for the organizers, including several Environmental protection organizations have reported. Talks will now continue in Rome to find a solution. Germany is also among the participants in the conference, while the USA is no longer actively participating and is only present as an observer since Trump returned to the White House.