AWF at COP15
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was established to address global biodiversity loss and it is guided by three objectives: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of the components of biological diversity, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.
AWF’s approach to COP15 and the CBD at large is to support African leaders at all levels to convene and articulate African priorities relating to the three CBD objectives. We believe conservation in Africa can only succeed if African stakeholders across society define and own the conservation agenda – and take responsibility for building a future for the continent where people, wildlife and the ecosystems both depend upon thrive.
Our goals for the conference include:
- African leaders are shaping narratives that inform the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
- Wide support by African countries of outcomes from the July 2022 Africa Protected Area Congress (APAC) and that those outcomes are reflected within the Africa common position
- African youth, women and Indigenous peoples and local communities are meaningfully engaged with the COP process
- The financing gap for biodiversity conservation in Africa is meaningfully addressed, through endorsement of new approaches such as a Pan-Africa Conservation Trust (APACT)
We have supported preparation for COP15 across partners and network groups, including the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), the African Civil Society Biodiversity Alliance (ACBA), and the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, Africa (GYBN-Africa). In addition, we have provided training and professional development opportunities to AWF’s Charles R. Wall Young African Policy Fellows, several of whom are attending CBD COP15.
Find Us at CBD COP15
Wellington Matsika
Policy and Partnership Officer, AWF Wall Policy Fellow, Zimbabwe
For media inquiries contact: Eileen Kairu, AWF Strategic Communications Manager, Ekairu@awf.org
Our Events at COP15
Side Event: COP15 Youth Forum
Simangele Msweli, the AWF Youth Program Senior Manager will be speaking at the CBD COP15 Youth Forum alongside a diverse panel from all regions across the globe. This session is convened by the Global Youth Biodiversity Network and the Government of Canada
Dec. 6, 2022 | 11:00-12:00 | Grand Quai
Lead organizers:
GBYN
Government of Canada
Engagement team:
Speaker: Simangele Msweli
COP15 Official Opening Ceremony
Simangele Msweli, the AWF Youth Program Senior Manager has been invited by the CBD Secretariat as the global youth representative who will speak on behalf of the CBD Alliance during the official opening session of the conference
The Livestream can be accessed here
Dec. 7, 2022 | 10:00-13:00 | Plenary
Lead organizers:
CBD Secretariat
Engagement team:
Speaker on behalf of CBD Alliance: Simangele Msweli
Side Event #4439: How a human rights-based approach can deliver a truly transformative and just post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
The African CSOs Biodiversity Alliance (ACBA) will be co-hosting a side event with the SwedBio focusing on how a human-rights based approach can deliver a truly transformative and just post-2020 GBF.
Click here to add event to your calendar
Dec. 8, 2022 | 18:15 | Side Event Room 1
Lead organizers:
SwedBio
Engagement team:
ACBA
People and Nature #SharedWisdom Exhibition
The African CSOs Biodiversity Alliance (ACBA) in collaboration with China’s Civil Society Alliance for Biodiversity Conservation (CSABC) have curated Images and motion media from different parts of the world to showcase how local communities living as a part of nature highlighting their authentic stories at the People and Nature Exhibition throughout the conference
Click here to read more on the #SharedWisdom initiative
Dec. 8-17, 2022 | China Exhibition
Lead organizers:
CSABC
Engagement team:
ACBA
Side Event: Shared Wisdom: Traditions, Contributions and Future of Local Communities in Biodiversity Conservation
The African CSOs Biodiversity Alliance (ACBA) in collaboration with China’s Civil Society Alliance for Biodiversity Conservation (CSABC) will be co-hosting a side event dubbed ‘Shared Wisdom: Traditions, Contributions and Future of Local Communities in Biodiversity Conservation’
Dec. 9, 2022 | 12:00 –13:30 | China Pavilion
Lead organizers:
CSABC
Engagement team:
ACBA
Side Event: China-Africa Dialogue on Biodiversity Conservation Collaboration
Fred Kwame, AWF’s Global Leadership Vice President has been invited by the China’s Civil Society Alliance for Biodiversity Conservation (CSABC) and the African CSOs Biodiversity Alliance (ACBA) to moderate a dialogue on China-Africa Collaboration on Biodiversity Conservation
Dec. 9, 2022 | 17:25–18:30 | Room 201A
Lead organizers:
CSABC
Engagement team:
Moderator: Fred Kumah
Side Event: Debt, biodiversity and the climate crises: addressing fiscal barriers on the path to transformative change
The African CSOs Biodiversity Alliance(ACBA) alongside the Third World Network will be co-hosting a side event to discuss debt, biodiversity and the climate crises with a keen focus on addressing fiscal barriers on the path to transformative change
Dec. 10, 2022 | 13:15 | Contact Group 5
Lead organizers:
Third World Network
Engagement team:
ACBA- Yemi
Side Event: Shared spaces approach to a nature and people positive future.
Simangele Msweli, the AWF Youth Program Senior Manager has been invited to moderate a session co-convened by African CSOs Biodiversity Alliance (ACBA) and CORDIO East Africa set to discuss the shared spaces approach to a nature and people positive future.
Dec. 12, 2022 | 10:30–11:30 | Nature Pavilion, Small Room
Lead organizers:
CORDIO East Africa
African CSOs Biodiversity Alliance
Engagement team:
Moderator: Simangele Msweli
Lead: David Obura
Side Event: Proceeding from Kunming: Voluntary Pledge Actions of Non-State Actors Help Achieve Post-2020 GBF Goals
This side event will discuss the voluntary conservation initiatives of civil society organizations, commercial corporations, internet firms and local communities. In particular, the event will showcase the progress of initiatives and voluntary commitments from the COP15 NGO Parallel Forum in Kunming, best conservation practices of indigenous peoples and local communities, and voluntary actions between the civil society and the private sector for biodiversity conservation.
Dec. 12, 2022 | 18:00-21:00 | Place Quebec, Conference Space
Lead organizers:
CSABC
Engagement team:
Lead: ACBA
Side Event: Enhancing youth engagement in the implementation of the Post2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
Dec. 13, 2022 | 16:00–18:00 | Place Quebec, NGO hub
Lead Organizer:
AWF
Panelists:
Simangele Msweli, AWF Senior Manager, Youth Program
Arona Soumare, Principal Climate Change and Green Growth Officer, African Development Bank
Fred Kwame Kumah, AWF Vice President, Global Leadership
Kwame Ababio, AUDA-NEPAD, Energize Africa
Moderator: Indekhwa Anangwe, AWF Senior Policy Officer
Side Event: Does the GBF Respond to the Transformative Change Needed to Save Biodiversity?
In this time of multiple crises, we need a GBF that is strong and genuinely sets out what is needed to defend biodiversity, ecosystems and the people who live closest to them, for all our sakes. In this side event CBD Alliance members will look at some of the major issues that threaten to fatally weaken the GBF.
Dec. 15, 2022 | 13:15 | JUSCANZ Meeting Room
Lead organizers:
CBD Alliance
Speaker:
Speakers: ACBA
Side Event: Wildlife and Luxury Industry
Dec. 15, 2022 | 17:00 | EF- EU Post 2020 Project Stand
Lead organizers:
EF- EU Post 2020 Project and LVMH Group
Speaker:
Lead: Simangele Msweli
Side Event: Implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework: NaturAfrica, an EU Flagship for People and Nature
Dec. 15, 2022 | 18:15 | SIDS Meeting Room
Lead organizers:
AWF & European Union
Speaker:
Fred Kumah
AWF Resources
African CBD Negotiators Welcome Proposed A-PACT Biodiversity Financing Model
African Negotiators Convene to Discuss Synergies within Wildlife and Biodiversity Interventions
AWF Supports African Civil Society in Building A Strategic Framework