The 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is set to begin in Cali, Colombia.

• It is the first time the Parties are meeting since the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was adopted in 2022. 

About Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

• Also known as the Biodiversity Convention or UNCBD, it’s a multilateral treaty aimed at conserving biological diversity, ensuring sustainable use of its components, and promoting fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources utilization.
• The CBD was made available for signature on June 5, 1992, during the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit and officially came into force on December 29, 1993.
• Ratification: It is a legally binding treaty and has been ratified by 196 countries. Notably, the United States is the only UN member state that has not ratified it.
  • India is also a party to the Convention.
• CBD’s Governing Body: Conference of Parties (COP) 
  • It consists of the governments that have ratified the treaty.
• Secretariat: Montreal, Canada.
• Three Objectives:
  • Conservation of biological diversity (genetic diversity, species diversity, and habitat diversity).
  • Sustainable use of biological diversity.
  • The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
• Two internationally binding agreements were adopted within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
  • Cartagena Protocol: Adopted in 2000 and entered into force in 2003. 
    • It regulates the transboundary movement of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs)
  • The Nagoya Protocol: Adopted in 2010
    • It establishes a legally binding framework for access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use.

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• Aichi Targets adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):
  • COP-10 adopted a ten-year framework for action to save biodiversity known as “Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020”. 
  • It has provided a set of 20 ambitious yet achievable targets.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)

• Adoption: The 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) 2022. 
• Aim: To protect 30% of the planet by 2030 to reverse ecosystem degradation.
• Targets: The framework has 4 goals and 23 targets that the world needs to achieve by 2030.
  • It will replace Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

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