Find AWF at COP16

UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16)

October 21 – November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia

What it is: Following the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at COP15 in 2022, this United Nations Biodiversity conference will review the state of the framework’s implementation and mobilize resources towards the framework.

Why it matters: The GBF is the world’s plan to reverse biodiversity loss and develop sustainably. After AWF worked to support Africa’s representation in GBF negotiations, our role now is to advise and support so Africa can meet the framework’s 2030 goals.

Our message at COP16:

Effective conservation efforts within protected and conserved areas, including community conserved areas, is critical in securing biodiversity.
Ensuring nature benefits people while recognizing the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, youth, and women as custodians of nature is critical in securing biodiversity.
Ensuring availability and accessibility of commensurate resources to deliver the global biodiversity framework is fundamental in delivering the global biodiversity framework.
Ensuring youth are mobilized, capacitated, and supported for conservation and climate action.

AWF Experts and Youth Delegates at COP16

Find out who’s attending COP16 from AWF

For media inquiries, contact Eileen Kairu, AWF Strategic Communications Manager, at Ekairu@awf.org.

Find Us at COP16 Side Events

Highlight: South South North Series

SSN Session 1: Opportunities and Challenges for Leveraging Indigenous Traditional Territories (ITTs) for Meeting the KMGBF Target 3

The South South North Collaboration will kickstart its series of events with an integral discussion on the opportunities and challenges that lie within leveraging Indigenous Traditional Territories for meeting the KMGBF Target 3. Join us as we seek to provide strong arguments from a Global South perspective and foster a new narrative.

21 October | 13:15 – 14:30 | MDB Pavilion

Lead organizers:

AICA, ACBA, WWF, Nature Finance, IUCN, AGN, AUC, AfDB, AWF

SSN Session 2: Understanding and Enhancing the Role of Sustainable Financing for PCAs and CCAs (Targets 18, 19)

The South South North Collaboration will continue its series of events with yet another important discussion seeking to understand the inherent risks in accelerating conservation finance and the role of investing in sustainable finance for PCAs and CCAs (Targets 3, 18, 19).

21 October | 16:00 – 17:15 | MDB Pavilion

Lead organizers:

ANCA, AfDB, AICA, ACBA, WWF, Nature Finance, IUCN, AGN, AUC, AWF

SSN Session 3 - High Level Ministerial Dialogue on Achieving GBF Goals

The South South North Collaboration will culminate its series of events with a high-level ministerial discussion that will make concrete, actionable commitments to increase successful implementation of the GBF, ensuring that investments and policies are directed towards recognizing and elevating all citizens of the Global South.

31 October | 10:00 – 11:30 | Africa Group Room

Lead organizers:

AUC, AfDB, ANCA, AICA, ACBA, WWF, Nature Finance, IUCN, AGN

AWF Engagement

Kaddu Sebunya, CEO

AWF-led Side Events at COP16

Scaling up Young Engagement in implementing Target 3 of the GBF: Lessons, challenges, and opportunities

Join us for a dynamic discussion on how young people can lead the charge in conserving 30% of the world’s land, waters, and seas. Explore global success stories, tackle challenges, and discover opportunities to empower youth in protecting biodiversity.

23 October | 10:10 - 11:40 | Cocuy

Lead organizers:

AWF, GLF

AWF Engagement

Simangele Msweli, Senior Manager, Youth Leadership Program

Elizabeth Kamara, AWF Charles R. Wall Policy Fellow, Liberia

Maissa Louhichi, AWF Charles R. Wall Policy Fellow, Tunisia

African Development Bank’s Plans for supporting implementation of the KMGBF in Africa

24 October | 10:10 - 11:30 | Sanquianga – GRULAC meeting room

Lead organizers:

AfDB, UNCDF, UNEP, WWF, AUC, AWF, GGWOA

AWF Engagement

Frederick Kwame Kumah, Vice President, Global Leadership

Investing in African Youth as Key Players in Implementing Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in Africa

Amplifying African youth voices and transformative actions in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the revision of NBSAPs and exploring the institutional and financial support available to expand the impact of youth-led transformative actions.

See the EU Pavilion schedule

24 October | 17:30 to 19:00 | EU Pavilion

Lead organizers:

Global Youth Biodiversity Network (Africa Chapter) & Post 2020 Biodiversity Framework – EU Support

AWF Engagement

Frederick Kwame Kumah, Vice President, Global Leadership

Mbaire Kamau, Senior Youth Officer

Sana Baldé, AWF Charles R. Wall Policy Fellow, Guinea-Bissau

SADC Youth and Partners: Championing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Join us at this COP16 side event to learn how young leaders from SADC countries are leading innovative projects to achieve the GBF targets. Hear their stories, share ideas, and explore opportunities to collaborate in building a future where people and nature thrive together.

Learn more

25 October | 16:30 to 18:00 | Paramos - NGOs Meeting Room Plaza One

Lead organizers:

Southern Africa Development Community, Southern African Regional Youth Environment Network, South African Youth Biodiversity Network, and WILDTRUST

AWF Engagement

Simangele Msweli, Senior Manager, Youth Leadership Program

Ignatious Kudakwashe Maeresa, AWF Charles R. Wall Policy Fellow, Zimbabwe

PCAs and Climate Vulnerabilities, Challenges and Opportunities

An in-depth discussion on how Africa's Protected and Conserved Areas can serve as climate-resilient landscapes. Explore with us innovative strategies, community-driven solutions, and sustainable financing mechanisms that align with GBF targets.

25 October | 18:30 – 19:30 | Nature Positive Pavilion / Small Room

Lead organizers:

WWF, AWF

AWF Engagement

Edwin Tambara, Director, Global Leadership

Harnessing Spatial Data for Africa’s Conservation and Development Goals

Discover how the African Wildlife Foundation is partnering with African governments, communities, youth, and businesses to harness the power of spatial data in shaping sustainable development across Africa. This session will explore how innovative geographic approaches are being used and the barriers leaders face to balance development agendas, infrastructure expansion, and production with the need to conserve biodiversity, achieving key global targets like 30x30. Hear from African leaders as they share their strategies and barriers to integrating socio-economic growth with local conservation efforts, ensuring that Africa’s natural heritage thrives alongside its development ambitions.

Fact Sheet: AWF-Esri Collaboration on Rethinking Geospatial Conservation

28 October | 15:00 – 16:30 | Esri

Lead organizers:

Esri

AWF Engagement

Kaddu Sebunya, CEO

Edwin Tambara, Director, Global Leadership

Frederick Kwame Kumah, Vice President, Global Leadership

Nature-based Solutions for Peace: Challenges, Good Practices, Tools and Policy Recommendations

29 October | 20:00-20:45 | Banco de Bogotá, Cra. 4 #7 - 61, San Pedro, Cali

Lead organizers:

PAX, PeaceNexus, AWF, ECCP

AWF Engagement

Charly Facheux, Senior Vice President Conservation Strategy, Impact and Learning

NaturAfrica: A flagship initiative for people and nature

The side event will highlight the NaturAfrica initiative, which addresses the intensifying global biodiversity crisis by targeting 52 Key Landscapes for Conservation and Development (KLCDs) across Africa. With support from the European Union and its Member States, NaturAfrica mobilizes investment to drive transformative changes in biodiversity conservation while fostering socio-economic development, peaceful governance, and human rights. Aligned with the African Union’s Biodiversity Strategy and the Global Gateway corridors, the initiative aims to enhance environmental resilience and inclusive economic growth across Africa.

31 October | 13:15 – 14:45 | EU Pavilion

Lead Organizer:

EU. DE, AFD

AWF Engagement

Kaddu Sebunya, CEO

Delivering Target 19a - Unlocking Urgent Biodiversity Investments in Key Ecosystems

This event will highlight the current state of play of delivery of target 19a and raise the alarm for urgent action to deliver on this promise and provide adequate international biodiversity finance to developing countries by the deadline.

31 October | 16:30 – 17:45 | Nuqui - Academia & Research Meeting Room Plaza One

Lead organizers:

HAC, CfN, MAANF

AWF Engagement

Kaddu Sebunya, CEO