'These are not technical decisions, they are political decisions': Susana Muhamad at COP16 in Rome

The COP16 plenary resumed yesterday in Rome, Italy, at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with a key focus on financing for biodiversity. Over three days, countries will discuss the future of the financial mechanism of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the monitoring framework for compliance with the 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework.

The opening session was led by the President of COP16 and Minister of Environment of Colombia, Susana Muhamad , who stressed the importance of multilateralism and shared responsibility to ensure the implementation of the commitments made in Cali.

“Cali was an extraordinary achievement and it was preceded by the Montreal meeting, where we were really able to approve and get consensus on a very, very good international public policy that really has at its base scientific knowledge. It is not only based on science, but it was also based on the participation of multiple stakeholders, including people who are on the front line of the laws of biodiversity and its effects,” Muhamad said.

Financing, the key topic of discussions in Rome

The minister stressed that the financing agenda requires political decisions that transcend institutional challenges and current fiscal restrictions. In this regard, she called on countries to commit to innovative and sustainable solutions that ensure the necessary resources to meet global biodiversity goals.

“Are we capable of building the capacities that this Convention and the Montreal Economic Framework require? Are we capable of transcending institutional structures that are old and outdated and that pose a challenge because they are outdated by the current challenges of the 21st century? Are we capable of awakening our creative capacity and the possibility of imagining that together we can do something more?” said Muhamad, inviting delegates to reflect deeply on the role of international cooperation.

The need for long-term planning, with a five- to six-year vision, to ensure that the means match the ends was also highlighted in the plenary. Muhamad stressed that COP16 remains a symbol of resilience and hope, recalling that the purpose of this multilateral process remains intact.

“And finally, in this spirit, I would like you to remember that a flower was needed, which was and is the symbol of COP16. And that reminds us of resilience and reminds us of possibility. Even with many obstacles ahead. Because the purpose of COP16 remains intact. The actors and stakeholders are still there,” he concluded.

Over the next few days, discussions in Rome will be crucial to establishing the basis for financing and monitoring the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework, with the aim of meeting the 2030 targets and strengthening global biodiversity governance.