Diakonia at the "Peace with Earth" COP16

From October 21 to November 1, 2024, Diakonia is participating in the Sixteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16), held in Cali, Colombia. Themed "Peace with Earth," this critical event will gather global leaders, environmental advocates, and key stakeholders to address the urgent issue of biodiversity conservation—a mission closely tied to Diakonia’s work in promoting human rights, gender justice, and democracy.

In many places around the world, environmental defenders, particularly indigenous peoples, are facing threats that result in the loss of their lands, resources, and livelihoods. Colombia, recognised as the deadliest country for environmental activists, serves as an important and symbolic host for COP16, reinforcing the need for strong international advocacy on these issues.

Building on the momentum from COP15 in Montreal in November 2022, where the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted, COP16 will require member states to present updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP). This presents an urgent opportunity for advocacy and collaboration in addressing global biodiversity challenges.

Diakonia, together with partners from Kenya and Bangladesh will play an active role in COP16. The focus will be on strengthening the capacity of Indigenous peoples and local communities to engage in biodiversity advocacy. As part of Diakonia’s Transformative Knowledge Program, this delegation will explore how grassroots political participation is acknowledged in global forums like COP16 and ensure that their demands lead to concrete outcomes.

Through its Colombia Country Office, Diakonia is committed to advancing Environmental Justice and protecting the Rights of Nature, aligning with the objectives of the GBF. This includes strategies that empower local communities and ensure their voices are heard, since these communities possess critical knowledge of their ecosystems and are often the first defenders of biodiversity.

In Colombia, Diakonia collaborates with a diverse array of partners, including the Consejo Regional Indígena del Cauca and Foro Interétnico Solidaridad Chocó. These partnerships focus on territorial governance and the defence of ecosystems, particularly led by ethnic and peasant groups. Recognizing the importance of biocultural diversity, these Indigenous and Afro-descendant groups contribute to sustainable management practices that protect their territories and enhance biodiversity.

As part of its strategy for COP16, Diakonia will participate in discussions among the Joint Nordic Effort for Biodiversity (JNEB) and other alliances, such as the Nordic Level through CONCORD Sweden Environment and Climate and the Faiths for Biodiversity connected to the UNEP Faith for Earth Coalition. These alliances will amplify the collective voice of civil society organizations (CSOs) and highlight shared commitments to biodiversity conservation.

Additionally, Diakonia seeks to strengthen networking and collaboration among CSOs to enhance further engagement in biodiversity efforts. By fostering connections among various organizations, Diakonia aims to support the articulation among CSOs for advocating effective biodiversity policies.

Diakonia also plans to learn from and share successful methods related to local knowledge for ecosystem protection and restoration. This will occur through both formal seminars and meetings during COP16, allowing for the exchange of best practices that can be replicated in various contexts.