Pacific Islands leaders are gearing up to advocate for enhanced funding and support for the conservation of their biodiversity during global negotiations taking place this week. The resumed sessions of the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) will convene in Rome from February 25-27, following the suspension of COP16 in November 2024 in Cali, Colombia. Notable participants will include Heads of State, government officials, representatives from the private sector, civil society, and youth.
The Pacific Islands, known for their stewardship of the world’s largest ocean expanse and rich biodiversity, are at the forefront of the fight against biodiversity loss. Acknowledging their unique position, the region’s leaders recognize that the preservation of biodiversity is integral not only to the environment but also to cultural practices and economic stability. In 2022, Pacific Island Leaders declared a regional climate emergency, citing the urgent need for concerted action to address the pressing environmental challenges posed by climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Halatoa Fua, Director of the Cook Islands National Environment Service, emphasized the critical link between biodiversity and the livelihoods of Pacific communities. He urged for robust commitments at the resumed COP to mobilize resources, underscoring that without enhanced financing, the region’s ecological foundation – Ipukarea – remains vulnerable.
One of the key agenda items at this year’s discussions is the establishment of a new Resource Mobilisation Strategy, aiming to secure $200 billion annually by 2030 for biodiversity initiatives, while simultaneously working to reduce harmful incentives by an estimated $500 billion by 2023. Under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, nations have committed not only to halting but also to reversing biodiversity loss, which has proven challenging due to inadequate financial commitments.
The Pacific leaders’ collective voice is crucial for amplifying their message on financing biodiversity initiatives. The potential creation of a global financing instrument for biodiversity will be an area of focus, with existing funding primarily originating from bilateral agreements and private sources, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Easter Chu Shing, Deputy Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), highlighted the importance of a unified Pacific approach to address the unique challenges faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the context of biodiversity management. This emerging leadership from the Pacific underscores the need for solidarity as the region continues to advocate for ambitious biodiversity targets and enhanced resources in Rome.
Fourteen Pacific Island countries are parties to the CBD, with representatives from nine of these nations participating in the discussions. The outcomes of this COP meeting will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of biodiversity actions in the Pacific and fostering a sustainable and resilient future.
With optimism and determination, Pacific leaders are poised to influence the international dialogue on biodiversity, emphasizing the urgent need for committed resources to ensure ecological resilience in their communities. As global attention turns toward Rome, hope remains that significant strides can be made in the fight against biodiversity loss, ensuring a brighter future for the Pacific Islands and beyond.
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